Expert: Sue Ennis - 11/29/2007

Question
Hi Sue. My son is 3 wks today. He nurses for extended periods of time- and I'm wondering if this is normal or if I can do anything about it. Here's what happens. He will exhibit hunger signs when waking up (smaking his lips, sucking on his fists, rooting). I will put him  up to my breast, he'll latch on and nurse for about 5-7 minutes. Then he'll either fall asleep or detatch himself and lie his head back looking contented. I will burp him and if I try to put him down, he'll begin shreiking like he thinks he's going to die. As soon as I pick him up, he roots. If I put him up to my breast again, he'll nurse for another 5-7 min then act satisfied and detatch. If I continue to hold him, in about 5 minutes he'll begin rooting, then crying until he's put back up to the breast. This goes on and on and on for hours. I've been sitting here nursing him this morning for 2.5 hours now and I'm hen-pecking this question w/ one hand. I think that my suppy is fine. I've actually been having to pump b/c of engorgement if he doesn't nurse every 1.5-2 hours (when he sleeps) and I've stored about 40 ounces so far. He has been gaining weight well. I use nipple sheilds b/c I have inverted nipples and my son is tongue-tied, and b/c of some health concerns for both baby and myself, the dr didn't want us to take the time early on to figure out how to latch without it. Now I can't seem to get him to latch w/o it. The problem of nursing for a few minutes then stopping then nursing for hours has been developing over the last week and has gotten this bad just in the last two days. Please offer me any advise you can. My local lactation consultant, well frankly, she sucks. She always tells me everything is fine and good job- never any advise. thanks!

Answer
Hello Alechia - Thanks for the contact and I could see you in my mind's eye at the computer typing with one hand! As a mom of two under two, I've been there too many times.  And shame that your lactation consultant hasn't been more help...dreadful.  But your son is showing the very common signs of loving the comfort of breastfeeding more than need to actually feed, so he's quickly becoming what is known as a "snacker" :)  As like a human would, graze thru the day rather than set larger meals...which doesn't help your routine to much from feedings of hours long running into each other to be a full day.  With his weight being fine, you may want to hold off as much as you can in between feedings to build up his hunger.  Obviously don't let him scream to be heard coast to coast, but do give him a bit of time to really become hungry and really push for that first latch on (no worries about using the nipple shield, if it works for you and he).  When he lays back as content, cradle him for comfort and then maybe try to transition him into a rocking swing.  Sometimes that is enough of a change from feeling "put down" to help you get hands free for a bit.  Also as the weeks pass, he'll become more and more stimulated by the world around him which should help you as well.  Right now, at 3 weeks, he knows to love the comfort and security of breastfeeding which is a wonderful thing...it goes so quickly, but equally you need to work to get to enjoy parts of the day without the day long stretch of breastmilk snacking.  So, try the craddling him, the swing and I do think that time will help you.  All the best and congratulations!