How do I tell...

...if Mac is getting enough milk from me?

He is exclusively BF. He is gaining weight, has lots of wet and dirty nappies. He's burped and changed so should be comfortable but won't go to sleep and wants to be attached to my boobs all day otherwise he just cries.
In saying that, DP just tried to give him a bottle of what I'd expressed off today and he didn't take bugger all of it.

Any ideas? Could it be something other than hunger?

My girl was attached for hours on end and I could never get her to bed. It was ridiculous. Looking back, I was just a first time mum that didn't realise that babies didnt like beds and would often cry when put to bed. I now know what to do next time. Maybe try a dummy?

Mum2Mac wrote: In saying that, DP just tried to give him a bottle of what I'd expressed off today and he didn't take bugger all of it.

That is one clever wee boy by the sound of it

I can only really echo what the others have said so far, it sounds like very normal newborn behavior to me and I would also highly recommend a sling or carrier of some kind (but please, avoid frontpacks!).

Feeding often is his clever way of making you make more milk, so it shouldn't last for too long.
That said it is hot, so he may be thirsty as well.
And they often feed alot especially later in the day to tank up on the more calorific milk.

Well done you!

Hope2Be wrote: Hmmm, I was starting to wonder the same thing. I can't seem to put Cooper down at the moment and he's been feeding almost every hour for the last couple of days.

Totally normal! It does get easier - I promise!

Ditto the other ladies - you've answered your question as he's gaining and you're getting plenty of wet nappies. He is comfort sucking. My DS was a sucky baby and a dummy meant i (and my nipples) could get a break from him and get him onto less often but bigger feeds, where they get that hindmilk.

I did have to help him with the dummy at first i.e. hold it in. You could also yes carry him close to you in wrap/sling so comfort him without feeding him to do it.

Sounds just like Jake... He does have reflux though and was a very sucky baby. There is a difference between feeding and comfort sucking though. You should be able to see him swallowing if he is feeding, if he is just sucking then its little sucks and no swallowing. Its up to you if you want to be a dummy or give him one (if he is comfort sucking).

Jake was given a dummy and nope has NOT affected his feeding. He has alwasy spat the dummy out when he wanted milk.

I think like anything that dummies and bottles for SOME babies can be an issue...problem is you don't know if it is going to impact you and your baby until you've done it and by then it might be too late to 'fix' it.

Personally I avoided a dummy this time for a number of reasons, mainly due to how it contributed to all the bf difficulties with DS1 who had one from about day 3 and because of the fact that they can be a real pain to get rid of. LOL Even had I wanted to give A a dummy (and I will admit we tried when he was about 10 weeks old) he refused to take one.

But as always, up to you as the parent what you want to do.

ds is a 'sucky' baby and i caved in and got a dummy when he was about 5 weeks old. I would just get him sucking my finger before that anyway which is essentially the same thing really. I only use it occasionally, but it helped reduce his feeding time from 1 hour+ down to 30 minutes, as the last half hour was just about comfort sucking.

Maybe see if she enjoys sucking on your finger instead of the breast, and that might help you know if she just has a strong sucking reflex?

I think dummies should be used in moderation and i plan to stop using it when he's about 4 months, but i have found it very helpful (and great for those times when baby is hungry and for some reason i can't feed him straight away, or if he is overtired and confusing tiredness with hunger)

Before long ds will hopefully find his thumb and the dummy will become redundant!

Mumtooboys, what is a "wonder week"? Just so I can be prepared