Question about eating vs sucking

[sterl724]

I'm a ftm, so breastfeeding is all new to me. Baby is just over 3 weeks old. We also occasionally supplement with formula after nursing (usually before bed/at night).

Nursing still takes me about an hour. Right now, I'm pretty sure he's in a growth spurt. My question is, how do you know when he's actually eating and when he's just sucking/using my boob as a pacifier? I can't really tell a difference. He does tend to be a lazy/sleepy eater, if that makes a difference. I know he's getting milk, but sometimes I think he's done, full and just sucking, and he's actually still hungry. I'm also wondering if the general sucking is part of what is taking so long when I nurse.

Thoughts, suggestions, or advice?

[sterl724]

Mar 30, 2017 8:53:29 GMT -5 opheliainwaders said:

I guess my advice is to find whatever you really want to binge-watch on Netflix, particularly in the evenings when cluster-feeding is most prevalent, and enjoy 😉

Exactly what I've been doing, lol!

He's a little bit lazy too, so the hour long process includes him falling asleep (or trying to). I'm so ready for the day it doesn't take an hour - especially at 3 am!

[vvvvvfee]

+1 to opheliainwaders

try not to limit nursing in the first 6 weeks because that is what helps you build up your baseline milk supply. and yes, unfortunately some kids are really slow nursers at the beginning. it will seem like all you do is nurse! in another few weeks LO will be a much more efficient nurser.

you could experiment with different nursing positions-- for really little babies, it can be easier for them to nurse in a laid-back position (you reclining on your back on a pillow with LO tummy to tummy on you, so they're nursing "uphill" a little bit). it's easier for them to hold their head up and control their neck in that position, so it's worth a try.

if LO is very sleepy during the day and keeps falling asleep at the breast, try undressing him and/or swabbing him with a cool washcloth to help keep him awake so he can get in a good nursing session.

check this out, too: kellymom.com/hot-topics/frequent-nursing/

i also highly recommend the book Sweet Sleep: Nighttime and Naptime Strategies for the Breastfeeding Family- it helps normalize BF babies' needs/patterns and offers BFing friendly solutions for helping everyone get more sleep.

GL- things will be easier soon!

[yummeecookee]

When the LC visited me afte I gave birth to my DD, she told me that w actual eating you can notice the LO's jaw moving up and down (swallowing). There is also a noise you can listen for "keh keh keh" kind of the rhythmic swallowing noise during serious eating.

Good luck and enjoy all the infant snuggling.