Am I producing enough milk?

Everything I read says "don't worry, you're producing enough!" but I feel like throughout the day DS isn't satisfied. The first three feeds of the day are great but then it all goes downhill.

This is a typical overnight (which is when he seems the most satisfied) with my 4-week old:
Goes to bed at 8
2:00am feed , back to sleep
6:00am feed, back to sleep
9:30am feed, awake, play, pleasant demeanor

Now is when it gets tricky...
-He pretty much wants to eat hourly and in between feedings constantly acts hungry, rooting for my boob, eating his hands, etc.
-He feeds in a quick 15 mins for the first three feeds (listed above), I'm guessing because I'm full and have tons of milk
-I let him feed for 30 mins during the day but I'm doubtful he is eating that entire time
-Feeds after the 9:30 one just don't seem to satisfy him, he's never happy, wants to be held, etc.
-He hates pacifiers, have tried 5 different kinds
-If DH gives him a pumped bottle when he gets home he's satisfied for a good two hours

Is it possible that I don't have enough milk during the day for him? What am I doing wrong?

Am I producing enough milk?

First of all, you aren't doing ANYTHING wrong!! I remember feeling this exact way. Shoot, I still feel this way sometimes and DD has been EBF for 6mo now. If you weren't producing enough milk for your DS, you'd know by now; he'd be losing weight and definitely not sleeping as well he does.

At only 4 weeks, he's still learning to get the hang of BFing and with all of the other stimulus around during the day, he is probably getting distracted and not feeding as effectively as he does during the night or when your DH gives him a bottle, where the flow is more consistent and he doesn't have to work as hard to get the milk.

At that age, my DD was the same way during the day, but I just kept giving her what she wanted; the boob and to be held. I kept trying to give her the pacifier though and around 6 weeks, she started taking it. Also around that time, she started to space out her daytime feedings into a more normal pattern; every 3-4 hrs, with some play time and a nap in between. I didn't even try to put her on a schedule, but somehow it just happened between 6-8 weeks. And then everything changed when I went back to work, but that's a different story...

Hang in there, you are almost through the hardest part of BFing. It will get so much easier soon!

Re: Am I producing enough milk?

totally normal dd was the same way at that age I thought the samething How am I going to keep up with her!! He is just building up your supply its a great thing!! Hang in there it does get easier!! I thought I was never going to be able to leave the house cause all she wanted to do was be on the boob!! But now at almost 9 weeks it has slowed down!! Your doing a great job!!

Am I producing enough milk?

I agree with pp's. He's still so young. I think it's so normal to feel insecure about your supply. It's also normal for him to want to be attached to you all the time, he's still getting used to not being in your belly! As long as he's getting his wet diapers, I would try to take that as your reassurance. Do you have a one month check up soon? Those weight checks were the only thing that got me to relax in the beginning.

As for being satisfied after a bottle, remember that he can't control that like he can nursing. He may be overeating a bit and then in a bit of a food coma. As pp said, the frequent nursing is establishing your supply right now so it's def more of a good thing than a bad thing. Hang in there!

Am I producing enough milk?

I think you're doing great! It's probably too soon to figure out an eating pattern. DS is 5 months and I still feed on demand. He can eat for 10 minutes and then want to eat again 30 minutes later or not for 2hours. Like PP said the frequent eating is probably more good than bad. You're establishing your supply. He's helping to let your body know to keep producing milk!

In regards to the quick feeds possibly b/c of a fast let down maybe try pumping a little before you feed him to get some of the foremilk out and let him drink the more fatty hindmilk. I had a forcefull let down and had to do that for a little while. Pump (or hand express) a little into a bottle (which I froze) and then nurse DS. This was to ensure he got enough hindmilk and wasn't just drinking the thinner foremilk.

Is the pumped bottle usually milk pumped after a feeding (so more of the hindmilk) and therefore that's holding him longer?

Am I producing enough milk?

As long as there are sufficient wet and dirty diapers, you are giving him enough. There are tons of reasons he could be fussier in the afternoon and wanting to nurse more. It is comforting for one thing! The weight checks should reassure you too. I am sure you're doing a great job.

Re: Am I producing enough milk?

U r not alone and you may find yourself questioning your supply for the next several months - I know I still do 8 mos in but I have started to let go of that feeling "is she getting enough"

As long as they are growing, gaining weight and pooping and peeing you are good.

It does sound like he is cluster feeding a bit which is what my DD did. I think they do it to build your supply and also for comfort. Is he napping at all during the day? Try to force a nap any way you can...either in the swing, ergo carrier etc. That will give you a break and your boobs a break. Then your mill can build up to a few oz and maybe he will fill up. U know rather than snacking? This is what I tried with DD...sometimes it worked and sometimes not. Eventually she outgrew the cluster feeding at 8-9 weeks. Hang in there and I promise it does get easier. It's just a phase and there is a light at the end of the tunnel! It will get easier in a few weeks - they are still trying to figure it all out!

Re: Am I producing enough milk?

Hi Mel,

I'm sure everything is fine, however just to be on the safe side you might want to call a lactation counsler. If I could go back in time to the early days of bfing that would be my first call after giving birth! They just know so much that EVERY breastfeeding mom can benefit from.(imo)

My sister-in-law's baby nursed very very frequently at the begining and bfing was also very painful for her. Everyone told her it was normal and would get better. Baby was gaining weight (somewhat slowly) and plenty of wet diapers. She was constantly worried she wasn't making enough. At 3 months she called a lactation counseler (who she loved by the way) and the LC found out the baby was toungue tied. She had the tongue tie fixed and things are a lot better. The procedure took two seconds and her baby had no discomfort.

A lot of peds are not trained in diagnosing the different types of tongue tie so it gets missed a lot. If you want the LC's # my SIL used feel free to private message me.

It might be worth it to call an LC if you are concerned or just need some assistance in general. Tongue tie is no big deal. When it comes to getting it fixed, the earlier the better!

Good luck to you and your little one. You're a great momma for working so hard!