ok so DD is now 3weeks old (on wed) and she feeds on demand... I know Idont have much to go by but for about a week and a half she was having regular feedings... I mean she'd eat till she was full then she'd either poop or fall asleep (or both lol) but now it kinda seems like shes snacking all day and I think it may be wreaking havock on my supply. somtimes she gets very frustrated when I am definatly empty. I try to console her for a half hour or so with a pacifyer or rocking so I can refill a little then she takes it just fine. any advice?

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You can not feed a breast-feed baby too much, so don't worry. Sounds like a normal growth spurt to me! You are never really empty since the breast is constantly making milk, but she might not like the smaller flow at the end. Don't worry, your supply will catch up as long as you feed on demand (which you're doing) and don't supplement. Your body is made to do this, momma, and you're doing just fine! If anything, the constant snacking at the boob is what will increase your supply - the more stimulation, the more milk. It's a pure supply and demand system, the more demand the more supply there is.

My theory is that growing pains are real, so when babies are going through a growth spurt they not only need more food, they also need more comfort, and for a breast fed baby the best comfort in the world is momma's boob. Fussiness is normal during a growth spurt, and should get better once your boobs catch up and she stops growing so fast.

Your girls are beautiful!

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Congrats!!

you are doing great. Your boobs will catch up to your babies needs. Just keep doing what you are doing!

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Patty 37
DW Julie 40
"domestically partnered" since 1994

What they said!!

Stick it out and it'll get easier! Fight the urge to supplement. I gave in at 6 weeks (a growth spurt in retrospect) and discovered that my body was extremely sensitive to changes in demand. I almost lost my entire supply and had to work very hard to get my 10 week baby back on the breast.

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Our 3w growth spurt was rough. There were times I had the same feelings as you. I remember letting him nurse even though I felt so empty. After a long while of just sucking, no swallowing, another let down happened. He knew what he was doing. That was my mantra- he knows what he is doing and I just need to go with it. You're doing a great job!

Beth

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ds #1 6/02 and ds #2 12/07

Oh yeah. And don't forget to do things that will help your supply out. Lots and lots of water, eating right (especially protein), eating oatmeal and herbs like Mother's Milk tea (Blessed Thistle, Fenugreek) work wonders as well.

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it sounds like a normal growth spurt. I remember a time when Id feed DS3, change his diaper, lay him down for a 20 min nap, use the bathroom, grab a drink and come back to nurse him. that was my cycle constantly. I was doing everything while nursing. I figured out how to bathe my other 2 children while nursing b/c i was always nursing.

its perfectly normal. as the months pass, itll get more regulated and your little one wont need to eat as much

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it is perfectly normal, and the best thign you can do during a growth spurt is nurse more often. let the baby "pacify" at the breast, and it will further increase supply. giving her a fake nipple to suck on will only tell your body to make less milk.

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