Breastfeeding Support Group

At what point does he pull away? Is it within the first 5 to 10 minutes? Is he choking? It could be he's becoming overwhelmed by fast flow. Is it after 10 minutes? Baby's get the majority of a breasts milk in the first 5 to 10 minutes so if it's after that you could be becoming empty. Because of this you needn't nurse for much more than 20 minutes. Once you're empty - you're empty. At this point, you can be sore and baby can develop blisters on his lips and tongue (which may happen anyway, don't worry(.
Your best bet to improve milk supply is more frequent shorter feedings. Try not to go more than 3 hours between feedings until he starts gaining. I wouldn't let him go more than 5 minutes on the 1st side and 20 on the other. When is baby's next dr. appt,? Let's see if we can't plump this baby up before then. If not there may be some underlying medical problem or he may suggest supplimenting and that gets complicated in trying to get back to just nursing. Let me know how you're doing.

beadawn's advice is right on. Let me add that you should wake him every 2 - 3 hours at night until he is gaining weight as he should be - he should be nursing 8 - 12 times in a 24 hour period. I also think you need to see a lactation consultant for help. Babies should be at their birthweight by 2 weeks. Is he wetting and soiling enough diapers? If you can't get help right away, I would consider supplementing until you find out more. Hang in there and keep us posted!

I would also like to add.. If it isn't your amount of milk.. and you are getting enough wet diapers.. poopy ones can very since it he is EBF and can go a week without one. keep a food diary. I know that when I have ate something that didn't agree.. I REALLY remember coffee with my second one.. he would bob off and on and scream. Also, with is no weight gain.. in addition to making sure he is eating enough.. he may be allergic to something you are eating! My second was allergic to milk and soy proteins.. they started real bad about 10 days... he was fussy and real gassy.. then that turned into hives and blood in the stool with vomiting. My Drs told me he was allergic to MY milk.. LOL.. and I would have to put him on formula.. WHAT A MESS!!! I slowly started..had to keep switching brands.. which was when his symptoms got real bad! The hypoallergenic formula nutramigen, made him stop breathing. So just listen to your baby if you try formula. I wouldn't suggest feeding him formula unless he isn't really getting enough to eat...I am so scared of it! The only formula that my second could take was Neocate but it is $$! Here is the site.. it has signs and questions to find out if it is a milk allergy! http://www.neocate.com/aaa_neocate...
The low/no weight gain just makes me think he either really isn't getting enough to eat, or it is an allergy. My second was 8.07 at birth and at a year was only 18 pounds! He would gain a pound and then loose a pound and a half! Also, pay attention to his poos.. as yucky as it sounds.. examine it for blood, mucus, color, smell, ect! This is just a rule of thumb and something to keep on hand!
http://www.drjaygordon.com/develop...
Either way, I would find a good pedi hun.. and don't stop until all your questions are answered.. it took me 5 drs before they got my son straight! he is now a happy healthy 54 pound, 6 year old and outgrew all this allergies!

i had the same problem with my daughter so i ended up feeding her every 2 hours. its harder on you especially cause you get less sleep but she did much better with this schedule. good luck!

my daughter had a hard time latching on to my left breast and only favored my right one. needless to say, she wasn't getting enough milk. i've finally gotten her to latch nicely, but she still isn't getting enough milk, at least i feel. so, i just supplement with formula. she sleeps better with a full tummy of formula.