Expert: ruth kraft - 3/4/2009

Question
My baby boy is 5 months old and i am breastfeeding him, but just recently he has started crying on the breast and acting like there is not enough milk in the breasts  - could this be a growth spurt or is it likely my milk is drying up? I would like to feed up to a year but am considering switching to formula. I would appreciate any advice. Thanks

Answer
it sounds to me like he is going through a growth spurt. they usually only last about a weekish though. It is unlikely that your milk is drying up if you have been continually nursing him this long. it usually doesn't just disappear for no reason. If he is still fussy, I would contact someone in la leche league to ask to observe him while nursing to see why he is getting fussy at the breast. hopefully it will just fix itself. but if not, its good to get it checked before you add in formula. as that can make a baby even more fussy.

Ruth Kraft
www.honoringwomen.com