Expert: ruth kraft - 1/31/2010

Question
My baby just turn 9 month and she’s now almost 21 lbs. I’m still breastfeeding her and gives her solid 2-3 times a day. She nurses about 5 times in 24 hrs (3 during the day and 2 during the night). I feel like my milk supply has been decreased a lot and I’m worried that the baby might not have enough milk, eventhough she gains weight well. She has less wet diapers and sometime her stool is a little hard like adult. She wakes up a lot at night. I nursed her but then after 1.5-2 hrs. she wakes up crying again. I’m not sure if that because she is hungry or not. I see her sucking but not much of the swallowing. I was tempted to give her formula because I don’t want her to be starving.
I used to pump at 11am after feeding her at 7.30am and got about 3.5-4 oz.; but three days ago when I’m curious about my supply, I pumped and not even got 1 oz. That freaked me out a lot. I’m really worried. In the past few days, I've tried to nurse her more often but haven't seen much different. Please help.

Answer
Babies go through growth spurts every three months. SO being that she is 9 months is wouldn't not suprise me that she would wake mo re often to nurse. If she is 21 pounds that seems like she is growing fine. If she is growing fine then you have nothing to worry about. 5 times sounds perfect to me. Her stool is harder because of the solid foods you are feeding her, it has nothing to do with lack of milk. Try different foods that are more easily digestible.

it is normal for your breasts to feel at this point less full. More deflated and not seemingly have enough milk. If he were nursing 10 times a day, this would still happen.  :) Remember that the baby is getting more than you realize and the pump isnt going to get NEARLY the amount that the baby will.

It sounds like shes doing great to me. Sleeping could be a growth spurt or maybe she doesnt like the solids you are giving her. they might be hard to digest. stay away from meats and stuff. Give things with lots of fiber.  Formula will likely just make it worse so definatly keep nursing :)

Good job!
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