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ljvaught
08-07-2008, 07:31 PM
Hello, my daughter is 1 month old and has been going for 3-4 hours from the start of one feeding to the next at night, but during the day she frequently wants to eat every 45 minutes to 1 hour. I wouldn't mind her cluster feeding if I felt like she were actually eating, but it seems like she either falls asleep after a few minutes or is just content to be latched on (eyes open) with only occasional light sucking, not the same type of "eating" sucking she does during her nighttime feedings. I try to use a pacifier between feedings to satisfy her need for just sucking, but she is often not content to use a pacifier for very long, and she "loses" it (it falls out of her mouth) frequently, which frustrates her. However, I am wondering whether I am producing enough milk, because today my husband ended up giving her a 3 oz. bottle when he got home, 45 minutes after the start of her last feeding (she had also had several feedings all afternoon, only 45 minutes to 1 hour apart). She gulped it all down and was content to play for a little while, but then wanted to eat again an hour later. I get really frustrated when my entire day is consumed with breastfeeding... with her not being content between feedings long enough for me to get ANYTHING else accomplished (I have to wait till my husband gets home to preoccupy her long enough for me to even take a shower). I've read that the more you breastfeed, the more milk you produce, but I'm not sure it's happening because this has been going on for the past month and sometimes she doesn't seem to be able to get satisfied until we finally supplement with formula (we usually only do up to 1 bottle/day; some days we don't use a bottle at all). She just had her 1 month checkup and is gaining weight well, but it just seems like she should be spacing her feedings out more than 45 minutes apart. Any suggestions/help/encouragement you can give would be greatly appreciated!!

caryn
08-07-2008, 07:38 PM
How much does she weigh?
Try pumping the same time in the morning every day to access your output.

You can offer 1 oz. of pumped breastmilk after every feed, and see if she is more satiated.

Also, get a sling/baby carrier. She wants to be close to you!

caryn
08-07-2008, 07:38 PM
"assess" your output :)

ljvaught
08-07-2008, 07:44 PM
My daughter weighs 8 lbs 2.5 oz (she was born weighing 6 lbs 10.5 oz). What do you mean by "assess" my output? I have tried pumping several times, but I have never been able to get more than half an ounce. That has been really frustrating too. I have a sling... I will try using it more frequently. :)

ljvaught
08-07-2008, 07:48 PM
P.S. I have been using the Medela Harmony manual pump because I only need to pump occasionally and did not want to spend the money on an electric pump. Any tips you can give on the Harmony breastpump would be great.

caryn
08-07-2008, 07:51 PM
If you are concerned with how much milk she is "getting" than pumping the same time every day will give you an idea - that weight gain is AMAZING and you are DOING GREAT!
I used the Medela single electric (not the big pump) with all of my sons for occasional bottles. Find out if the Harmony can be used w. an adapter (plug) - also the single pumps are fairly inexpensive as well.