Addison is 6weeks old and LESS than her birth weight..

[Trillian]

I remember something my Mum said once about when she was weaning she would drink extra coffee to 'dry her up', I assume because of the diurectic properties of caffeine, but I don't know if that's just an old wives tale or if there is some truth in it - I'm googling it ATM but not finding it much help.

BINGO! There is some truth in it afterall...

Caffeine
Some breastfeeding mothers report that their baby is unsettled, irritable, or even constipated if they drink large volumes of coffee, strong tea, or cola. However, there appears to be individual variation in how much caffeine is found in breast milk after having a high caffeine drink.

Poor milk supply may sometimes be related to caffeine intake. Caffeine can also affect the nutrient make up of breast milk. The iron levels in the breast milk of a woman who drinks more than three cups of coffee a day during pregnancy and the early phases of breastfeeding, are one-third less than that of a mother who does not drink coffee.

It is advised that during breastfeeding, caffeine consumption should be limited to 2 to 4 cups of coffee, tea or cola per day.

Note: It has been found that cigarette smoking compounds the effects of caffeine in breastfed babies.

For more information about the caffeine content in food and drink:

• Food Standards Australia New Zealand: Caffeine

• Australian Breastfeeding Association - Breastfeeding and the use of recreational drugs - alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and marijuana

Bare in mind that even though you are only having 4 cups a day, it will be metaboloised differently in every person, so what may not be a high level to one person, will really affect another, so maybe if you try to cut down on the coffee to maybe a decaf and try using a probiotic to keep your energy levels up it might make a difference.

[mumofmany]

U guys are great.. thank you!!

Addison was jaudice and we had to be admitted for 2 days when she was 7-8 days old. She is generally a really sleepy baby. BUt i put that down to the jaudice at the start. She really is only awake for an hour solid once a day and has awake period of 30min then a sleep for about the same... if that makes sense.

i was going to just comp feed her once b4 bedtime.. but.. maybe I should do it 3 times a day and try get in 6 BF also? What do u think?

I'll cut back my caffine drinks to 2 a day as well. I'm really low on iron anyway, so the caffine isn't helping me there.. and i know that.

I'm just really tired.. having 3 under 5 and all of them still get up. Most nights I'm up 6-7 times in an 8 hr period.. so not getting much solid sleep. My DH isn't home with me during the week, so I don't get a choice... i have to get up to them. Plus I'm returning to work next week.. only 3 days a week.. but.. still doing that..

i always thought to myself.. that a bub that is BF could never fail to thrive. i used to think mums who took bub off the boob due to lack of weight gain gave up to easily.. but.. it seems that even though i'm doing what i can, and have BF 2 other kids, that maybe addison might need to be on formula??

[mumofmany]

Addison is a really cuddly babe too.. The most she's slept when not in my hug-a-bub is about 4hrs. Other than that, she doesn't settle for long periods. Though last night when she had a comp feed at 10pm after having a BF she slept for 6 hrs.

As for thinking she's not getting a good feed.. she only feeds for maybe 5-10mins, but comes off about 20 times during that.. and.. **** farts around when re-attaching.. if that makes sense?

I get the lovely let down sensation at feed times, as well as at least 5 times during the day when i leak. WHen I have a shower, I can hand express a fair bit too..

I've got my SIL electric breast pump.. maybe I should start to pump and see how much I can drain in 5 mins or so? hmmm..

sorry i'm rambling.. and if i've repeated myself.. sorry.. i'm up and down to the housework and kids atm.