As a breastfeeding mom, you’ll learn that sometimes your baby changes their usual way of nursing. During these transition times, you may not feel as confident about providing your baby with what they need. However, there is no need to worry. Healthy babies with good breastfeeding skills take as much milk as they need, when they need it. Knowing the process can help you solve problems during these times.
How a Mother’s Milk Supply Changes
Milk contains a whey protein called Feedback Inhibitor of Lactation (FIL). The role of FIL is to slow down milk production when the breast is full, and speed it up when the breast is empty. So, the more often your breasts are emptied (either from nursing or pumping) the more milk your body makes.
How much milk you make also depends on how much your breasts can store between feedings, which varies widely from mother to mother. If your breasts can store more milk, you may be able to feed less often without affecting your milk supply. However, if your breasts store less, it is important to nurse often so that your milk supply doesn’t decrease.
Transition Periods: These are times when baby will nurse more, or less often.
Sick or Uncomfortable Baby
These babies may nurse more often, not only for comfort, but also to increase baby’s intake of antibodies from breast milk. Fussiness, whether from teething, illness or a growth spurt, can also cause baby to have a hard time nursing: baby may latch on and off frequently. Follow baby’s lead and offer the breast often.
Supplementing
Around six months, babies will nurse more often as they approach the time to start solids. As your baby eats more food, they will gradually need less breast milk. But it will take months for baby to eat enough solids to reduce the number of feedings.
When baby misses a feeding, either from eating food or drinking formula, breasts fill up with milk and this causes milk supply to decrease. If you can’t breastfeed during the day, you can continue to nurse in the early morning and at night; your breasts will adjust. Breast milk and/or formula will still fill your baby’s basic nutrition needs.
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Growth Spurts
Sometimes your baby may seem constantly hungry; they may be getting ready for a growth spurt. Your baby will want to nurse more often because they are “putting in an order” for your body to make more milk. Common times for growth spurts are around 2-3 weeks, 4-6 weeks and 3, 4, 6 and 9 months. Growth spurts usually last 2-3 days. Why so many growth spurts? Remember — your baby will double his birth weight in about 4 months and triple it in a year. Babies need to nurse at least 8 times a day and up to 12-14 times, especially during a growth spurt.
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Nursing Strike/Possible Weaning
Some nursing strikes come on suddenly, others more gradually. If you encourage your baby to return to breastfeeding, a nursing strike usually lasts between two and four days but some last longer. Your baby may be unhappy and difficult to calm. You may feel frustrated, upset and worried.
A baby who refuses to breastfeed may not necessarily be ready to wean, especially if they are under 1 year old. Babies begin weaning when they get most of their nutrition from food or liquids other than breast milk. Patience and persistence are the keys to getting baby back to the breast.
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