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Tiff
I have a breastfeeding question! For about a month now, James has not been eating well. He gets very frustrated waiting for my let down (but we stick it out and he finally eats), but then he's only on for like 3-4 minutes each side, and a lot of times, he's squirming all over the place the whole time, sometimes unlatching and re-latching, etc. It's SO frustrating! We started solids a week ago, and that's the only thing he's had other than breastmilk.
I gave him a pumped bottle yesterday and he ate 6 ounces, and when I pumped, I was only able to get 3.75 oz (I used to get around 5-6 ounces no problem, in less than 10 minutes, and a couple times got 8... I was a cow). James' nighttime sleep patterns have been AWFUL too, for about 6 weeks. We had 1 really good night last week (slept from 8:00 PM - 3:45 AM, then went right back to sleep with his paci until 6:15 AM). I no longer feed him in the middle of the night and he seems perfectly fine with it. I'm pretty sure he's teething - he wakes up a little fussy (not crying, just more grunting and moaning) and when I go into his room, he's eating his hand. I usually give him his paci and he goes right back to sleep, but not for more than a couple of hours at a time.
So I'm wondering if he is having issues because my supply has gone down? Or could it all be related to teething? If it's teething, is it normal for them to not eat/sleep well for this long of a period? I know he's not hungry because he goes 4-5 hours between feedings with no problem. I've tried feeding him more often and he refuses. He won't eat any sooner than 4 hours.
Thoughts??
Re: Tiff
His weight sounds ok..what was his birth weight? I wouldn't worry about that too much. He's growing and developing normally. I also think that almost 4 oz in a pumping session is fine..at this point you're body has regulated to what he takes and you're not going to make tons extra like before. I wonder if his unlatching and latching as to do with his reflux...have you ever done a dairy elimination and see if that would help? Your let down could also have something to do with it if you notice that once it happens he's happier and staying on..if he's unlatching after the let down then I would think that it's b/c he's uncomfortable.
Not feeding him at least once during the night and starting solids will both effect your supply a bit at his age.
You could try pumping for a few minutes before you BF which could make your let down come faster, but that's a lot of work! Up to you, but it could help.
As for the teething..it could take a long time for his teeth to actually come out once you start to notice that something is bugging him. He will get more used to the feeling of teething and you'll see the sympotms get better until the teeth are actually about to break the skin. It takes the teeth a long time to make their way up so they feel it long before we see it. teething tablets and orajel usually do wonders.
Sorry it took me a day to answer you. I hope this helps.