Not producing enough?

I have been breastfeeding my little guy who is now just over 11 weeks old.  He has been gaining weight rapidly and is very healthy.  He was a low birthweight baby at just 4lbs14oz and is now over 10lbs.  In the last week or so it seems I cannot satisfy him.  Feedings can take up to 2 hours and he seems a bit frustrated.  Is it possible that I am no longer producing enough?  I am meeting with a lactation consultant next week to discuss, but am wondering if you have any thoughts on this?  Thanks so much for any advice, it is always appreciated!!

[tiredbuthappy]

sounds like a growth spurt! I wouldn't be surprised if it calms down in a day or 2. During these growth spurts, they eat consantly and never seem satisfied. Just keep at it, because he is naturally building your supply to meet his growing demands. As long as you nurse on demand, it is unlikely that your supply would diminish.

[chinesebones]

The timing is right for a growth spurt!  
As someone who struggled with supply for the first few months, here's what I did (besides nurse, nurse, nurse):  drink lots of water, rest whenever possible, eat protein at every meal, eat oatmeal daily (granola counts), take blessed thistle and fenugreek- if you smell like maple syrup you're taking enough fenugreek- seriously!, drink one non-alcoholic beer a day.  If you're really concerned about supply, you can get a hospital grade pump and pump for 15 minutes immediately after nursing- even if you get nothing, the stimulation increases supply.  
Sounds like you're doing fine though.  I know those growth spurts can be frustrating for both of you, but if he's gaining weight that's a great sign.  

[adgal]

Thanks so much!!  I should probably mention that his whole feeding pattern has suddenly changed.  He went from being a cluster feeder (at least I think he qualified as one...was eating every hour or two and small amounts) to eating every 3-4 hours, but feeding for a very long time.  After feeding for 1/2 hour or so he begins to fuss at the breast so I will switch.  Same thing, he will feed another 1/2 hour then begin to get frustrated (at least I think he is).  We will rest for 15 or 20 minutes, and he is right back at it.  

I am fine with whatever he needs to do and I know his feeding patterns will change as he gets bigger.  I just want to make sure he is getting enough to eat.  His weight gain is still on the high side of normal (we take him in to be weighed every week to 10 days) and he is healthy. He just seems to get really grumpy with me in the last 1/2 hour or so of his feeding and I wonder if it's to do with supply.

Thanks for the info and suggestions.  I truly do appreciate it.

[AndiJ78]

Hey there! Wow time has flown by! I agree with the others, it sounds like a growth spurt for sure. They come fast and furious during the first 4 to 6 months of life and have driven many a mother absolutely bananas with fears of supply concerns.

All of our preset patterns were thrown off during these times, but once they passed, everything returned to a more predictable pattern.

Drink to thirst, but try not to over-hydrate, it can actually lead to swelling of the breast tissue and make nursing difficult.

[adgal]

There just has to be something wrong with me.  It's 1:40am here and Ryder has basically been feeding since 10:30.  We got curious, so used pumped milk and he drank 2 3oz bottles, plus has been feeding directly from the breast.  He cat napped for 1/2 an hour and takes 10 or so minute rests, but I just cannot believe how much he wants to eat.  I just put him in his swing as often that will put him to sleep, but he has his little fists in his mouth again....I just can't believe this.  I just can't seem to fill him up.  Sorry, he is frustrated and I am getting stressed.  I just don't know what to do.

[Michelle_Shawn]

I just went through the same thing with my 7 week old. I was very upset and thought i definitely wasnt producing enough milk. For 3 days he was on my boob almost all day and constantly fussy. I was convinced I was going to stop nursing and just when i thought i couldnt take it anymore, it went back to normal. Then i read about how they usually hit a growth spurt at 6 weeks so i definitely think that was causing him to nurse so much. I try to just lay down with him and let him nurse on demand when this is happening. I find it helps me rest and not become so frustrated. i hope today was better!

[meiram]

Well, has it gotten better?  I hope so :)  I noticed with myself that my supply is much better when I drink something about 1/2 hour before I am going to nurse.  Now, with a little one, I realize that sometimes you don't really know when that is going to be.  

[adgal]

Thanks everyone.  I did find what seems to be a good solution as his appetite continues to be rather large..lol.  I am almost exclusively pumping.  I then feed him from a bottle with a fast flow nipple.  He handles the fast flow nipple really well, and it seems to be happy with this arrangement.  Maybe it was just taking him too long to get what he needed directly from breast?  I still nurse him from breast throughout the night as we both enjoy the contact and it soothes him to sleep, but for daytime this is working well for both of us...until of course he changes again...lol.  Never a dull moment with this little guy, but I love it!!  Thanks again!!