Someone recently asked, "What do you do when baby isn't satisfied after you finish nursing, he just wants to eat and eat and eat... and when you take a break, he screams?"
Please share your ideas in the comment box at the bottom of this post.
Here are a few thoughts to help answer that:
1) If he's truly not getting enough to eat, try nursing first, then pumping an hour or so later. This will help increase your milk supply, and give you a bit extra for when you need it.
2) Try some herbs - They're not super cheap, but can help increase supply. Motherlove is a great company that sells some of those herbs.
3) Swaddle him, and if he'll take it put a pacifier in his mouth. He might like the feeling of being held and just need something to suck on for a little while. When I did this with Crackers, I also patted his chest.
4) Burp him. That might sound silly, but sometimes Baby has that problem. His little belly hurts and he wants to solve it by eating more. Once he's burped he feels much better and is able to calm down and relax.
5) Put a pacifier in his mouth and hold him tightly, pressing his mouth into your chest firmly enough to hold the pacifier in. Make sure his nose is not pressed into your chest so he can still breathe. This move works especially well with Baby.
6) Put him in his crib, close the door, and walk away. Take a breather. Step outside. He might keep screaming, but it won't hurt him. You need to let yourself get a break sometimes.
7) If he's truly not getting enough and numbers 1 and 2 don't help, talk to a lactation consultant. If you can't afford to talk to one, or don't know how to find one, call your local WIC office. They provide free lactation consulting to their clients, and can connect anyone to help if needed. Their business is helping women take care of their children and they are very interested in promoting breastfeeding.
What ideas do you have? How do you calm an infant that only wants to nurse? How do you know if he's really had enough? Where do you go for help?
n
