What's Causing This Change in Nursing patterns?
QUESTION
Dear Lactation Consultant,
I have been breastfeeding my 12-day-old son since his birth and I thought we were beginning to settle into a routine. He normally feeds every 2 to 3 hours during the day and night for anywhere between 20 and 45 minutes. In the last few days, however, I have noticed a change in his feeding habits which worry me. He no longer will nurse for longer than 10 minutes before falling asleep at the breast. I have tried everything to keep him awake. When I put him down, he wakes up within 20 minutes and fusses, appearing to still be hungry. When I put him back on the breast, he falls asleep after less than 5 minutes. Can you tell me what is causing this? Is there something I could possibly be doing wrong?
Thanks very much,
Cynthia
ANSWER
Hi Cynthia,
Your baby is just about he right age to be going through the infamous 10 day growth spurt. Just when you think you're beginning to settle into a routine, a growth spurt crops up and makes you wonder what's wrong with you, your baby, your breasts, or all of the above.The fact is that it is very typical for newborns (babies up to 6 weeks) to have these variations in their feeding schedules and nursing patterns. Usually, things will settle down to normal within a few days. It isn't realistic to expect a two week old infant to be on any kind or predictable schedule, so your best bet is to 'go with the flow' and try not to over analyze the situation or stress too much about it. Of course, if your baby shows signs of illness or is losing weight, that's a different story. If you have concerns about your baby's health, take him in for a checkup and a weight check. Most of time, you'll find out that everything is fine, and the doctor doesn't have any idea why your baby's nursing patterns have changed.
Keep track of your baby's urine and stool output, and look for signs of illness such as fever or lethargy. If all that checks out, then try to nurse on demand without watching the clock and worrying about how long he stays on the breast, or whether he takes on breast or both. Chances are that he is just settling into his own individual nursing pattern, and you need to give him a few more weeks before you expect much in the way of a schedule.
All the best,
-- Anne, IBCLC
Kathleen Tackett
Dr. Kendall-Tackett is a health psychologist, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and Research Associate Professor of Psychology specializing in women's health at the Family Research Lab, University of New Hampshire. She is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association in both the Divisions of Health Psychology and Trauma Psychology. Dr. Kendall-Tackett is a La Leche League leader, chair of the New Hampshire Breastfeeding Taskforce, and the Area Coordinator of Leaders for La Leche League of Maine and New Hampshire.
Dr. Kendall-Tackett is author of more than 140 journal articles, book chapters and other publications, and author or editor of 15 books including The Hidden Feelings of Motherhood (2005, Hale Publications), Depression in New Mothers (2005, Haworth), and Breastfeeding Made Simple, co-authored with Nancy Mohrbacher (2005, New Harbinger). She is on the editorial boards of the journals Child Abuse and Neglect, Journal of Child Sexual Abuse and the Journal of Human Lactation, and regularly reviews for 27 other journals in the fields of trauma, women's health, interpersonal violence, depression, and child development. Dr. Kendall-Tackett is the "Ask a Lactation Consultant" columnist on Pregnancy.org and serves on the Board of Directors of Attachment Parenting International.
Dr. Kendall-Tackett received a Bachelor's and Master's degree in psychology from California State University, Chico, and a Ph.D. from Brandeis University in social and developmental psychology. She has won several awards including the Outstanding Research Study Award from the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, and was named 2003 Distinguished Alumna, College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, California State University, Chico.
