Weird BF habit?

[Teagz]

Hey Girls, I just have a quick BF question that really has me stumped.

For the last week or so DS, when he feeds, hasn't been feeding as he usually would. He spends more of his time popping himself off, when he does he does that bird thing where they try to find the nipple again, so he's obviously still hungry (well, I think), and then once he has it again he pops himself off again, occasionally when he pops himself off he'll spit out his mouth full of milk and get a lttle agitated. The only think I can think of is he's wanting to suck for the sake of sucking and the fact that milk is coming out when he isn't hungry is frustrating for him... but then he won't take a dummy...
It's driving me batty and we both end up covered in milk! He's only doing this during some of his day feeds, mostly toward the afternoon. His night feeding "style" is text book, thank god!

He also has a moment where he wriggles around, his arms and legs go everywhere and he pushes and pulls against my breast and sometimes pinches with his fingers... He's also feeding less, too. Maybe going every 4 to 5 hours instead of every 2 to 3 (although I rarely ever let him go any longer than 4) And somtimes he's only having a powerfeed, where he's not even reaching the "creamiest" part of the milk, iykwim...

So, I just wanted to know why? Is there anything I can do to stop it? I'm 99.9999% sure it isn't my supply as I can pump out 125ml's within about 10 minutes (and if I wasn't so slack I'd probably be able to get a bit more). I've been watching what I eat also... This weird little habit he's getting into has me stumped and I guess I'm mostly worried there might be something wrong with us!

TIA for your advice, ladies! xxx

ETA, I just thought I'd also add that he's been doing lots of wees and giant poops, he sleeps well through the night, going thru from 7.30 til 2.30, and then 3 til 6.30, then usually going back to sleep at about 7.30 until 10ish (we're still working on afternoon naps...)... Now I have all this down on writing I'm probably making a mountain out of a mole hill

[lindsaymaree]

Hey Teagz,

I'm interested to see what everyone else says because my little one does the same thing! I've often thought the same thing re; sucking for comfort and being frustrated when milk comes out. I've just been pulling him off and distracting him by singing, etc to see if he is actually still hungry or just wanting a bit of comfort.

[Teagz]

It's so frustrating isn't it?! I'm just paranoid I'm going to starve him so I'm always just shuving it back in his mouth His feeds, while being longer apart, are also quick too which doesn't help me much. Mum's said that the milk starts to flow fast now, and they are taking more in because their stomachs are bigger buuuuttt... *paranoid mother* XD
Hopefully they grow out of it soon...

[lindsaymaree]

oh another thing, I know that when my boobs are really full my let down must happen really quick and there's milk everywhere, Austin cracks it when this happens...so I've found leaning back whilst feed seems to stop it coming so fast.

xxx

[~Stoked~]

My bub was doing something similar but only when he fed on the right side. I went to a LC and she suggested it was because he was uncomfortable.. I tried their breastfeeding cushion and he latched on and fed happily for over an hour He is quite a big baby and i guess he just couldn't get comfy enough.
I have bought myself a cushion now and things have dramatically improved for us.
Good luck, does your CHN have a LC service??

[Teagz]

My bub was doing something similar but only when he fed on the right side. I went to a LC and she suggested it was because he was uncomfortable.. I tried their breastfeeding cushion and he latched on and fed happily for over an hour He is quite a big baby and i guess he just couldn't get comfy enough.
I have bought myself a cushion now and things have dramatically improved for us.
Good luck, does your CHN have a LC service??

yeah they do, i mentioned it to my CHN and she said as long as he wasn't doing it at every feed it's fine. It wasn't at one of my normal appointments tho and she was in a bit of a hurry so I didnt get to explain it to her in great details... think I might make another appointment... That would make sense... Jackson is quite long and I often look at his little legs hanging over the side of me and think he's uncomfortable...How much are the cushions? I'd hate to fork out for one and find it doesn't help him..

[~Kaz~]

Teagz - DS did the exact same thing starting from a bit before your sons age. I know how frustrating it is. Like your DS, he did it mostly during the afternoon and evening feeds, overnight and morning were much more settled. I put it down to a lower supply at those times and his frustration that there was less there, let downs were slower, flow was slower etc, particularly on my left side. He was in a hurry and liked it fast. I know it makes no sense to pull on and off because he got less milk that way but this is the way he fed. He still does it now and I'm sure its got to do with slower flow etc when I'm tired, stressed, distracted or he is feeding more frequently etc.

I think you should push to see the LC. If it's bothering you and Jackson then it's worth checking out. There could be heaps of reasons, like position as mentioned but it could also be that your flow is too fast and he's more tired in the afternoons so feeding is more work etc. Working out what was going on with my DS didn't really change how he fed but it helped me enormously to stop stressing about what was going on and just go with the way he needed to feed. Tell the CHN you really need a consult.

btw, you're doing a top job hun!

[~Stoked~]

I got mine on eBay brand new for 39.50... Best thing I've ever bought!
Mine is "Cozy Cushions" brand.

[Starfish]

Have you tried rinigng the ABA helpline? Its a nationwide 1800 number (am I allowed to post it?)

Is bub generally settled? I think that if he's generally happy and healthy otherwise it may be a developmental thing - like he has suddenly discovered "ooh look what I can do"... And hence, it will pass.

[Teagz]

Starfish, yeah he's generally settled. Albiet he has a couple of unsettled periods during the day but that's mostly due to me not picking up his tired signs. I might give that ABA number a call tho. I have a number for a LC in my area too so I might give her a buzz just to put my mind at ease at the least