breastfeeding help

[nrbfs]

Im a mum of 3 and with baby no 3 I have broke my previous bf record, it took me 3 babies to finally get it right and have the confidence in what im doing, but I have now reached uncharted territory, im just wondering, when bottle fed babies increase the volume of milk they need, what happens with bf babies, ie do they feed for longer or more often or does the consistency of my milk change? Should I be letting her feed from both boobs at each feed?
Sorry for the dumb ass questions but I dont know any other bf mums, and as this will be my last baby I want toget it right and only stop when she is ready to stop. [Blush]

[Bayliss1]

Well done for succeeding!! I was advised to always offer both breasts at each feed even if baby doesn't always take the second. Let baby empty first, offer second and if he/she doesn't take it then offer that breast the next feed. Your milk supply will keep up with the baby's needs.

Keep up the great work!! I'm awaiting dd2 any day and have everything crossed that breastfeeding is successful for me again!

[StealthPolarBear]

Congratulations! If you just feed as and when your baby wants it and swap sides when they start pulling off (swap a few times if they want) yu won't go far wrong.

[showtunesgirl]

Yes your milk does change constituency on a daily basis to meet your baby's needs.

Also as your baby gets older you will find that they will want to feed less often and will also get quicker as they become much efficient feeders.

Your LO will go through growth spurts where they will demand it every couple of hours but just go with the flow and keep offering and it should settle down after a few marathon days.

Also what Bayliss1 said is correct but it's not true that breasts can ever be emptied. Your body will keep on producing milk even whilst feeding.

[TheUnstoppableWindmill]

Yes, very very well done! Have a look at the 'Kellymom' website- lots of useful info. My understanding is that the composition of breastmilk does change, meaning that aside from growth spurts babies don't actually need to up their quantity between something like 6 weeks & 6 months. It's a good idea to offer both sides though.

[nrbfs]

Thank you, last night she didnt settle after she fed from one side so I had to feed her from other side its the first time thats happened as she usually falls asleep when she is done. Thats when I started worrying that maybe she wasnt getting enough, with my other little girl she was content and happy but her weight gain was not great and my hv told me I should top up with formula. From that I thought I was letting my baby down and switched to formula. I dont want to run into trouble this time as I love bf so im trying to keep on top of worries.
Thanks again I think I will just offer her both each feed from now on .

[StealthPolarBear]

If she's not getting enough just keep feeding! And when you've done two sides do three and four if needed. Your body is obviously very good at this!

[tiktok]

Very sensible questions with interesting answers, too :)

Breastfed babies don't increase the volume of the milk they take after the first few months, and in fact, as they generally become more efficient at removing milk, on the whole feeds take less time than when they are tiny.

FF babies need extra volume as they grow, as they need the extra calories to provide energy to metabolise the milk, which happens more readily with breastmilk.

The milk composition does change as time goes on, though you can't tell by looking at it.

You don't need to be concerned about any of this, though, as being responsive to your baby's needs will ensure she gets what she wants - offer both breasts at least each time, though don't worry if she does not want more than one.

A breastfeeding support group eg Baby Cafe will help you and you will meet mothers who are bf and who will have loads of experience to share :)

[TheUnstoppableWindmill]

I had weight gain issues with mine in the first few weeks but just kept offering and switching sides again and again. Now still going strong at 9 months, and it's really easy now. Your body will totally sort it out and will make more milk if your daughter keeps sucking. Keep enjoying it and don't worry.

[nrbfs]

Thanks again everyone, I think with my eldest daughter I ran into trouble because of a number of things I had going on and the hv was the final straw.
This time around things are great, im loving every second, I hope I will still be bf my little girl for as long as she needs.

[StealthPolarBear]

:)