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Submitted by: Baby Help Line

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Hi Diana! Stop supplementing with formula! Your baby is doing his job with increasing your milk supply to meet his needs. 6 days is a growth spurt at around which time the baby's need for food increases. A breastfed baby makes sure mom's supply of milk increases by doing exactly what you boy does - eats, and eats and eats for a couple of days. This signals to your body to increase milk supply. Then all is well for a while until the next growth spurt. This continues for a few months. For some babies, these periods of rapid growth and frequent feedings are very evident, with other babies they go almost unnoticed. I've had both kinds ;-) If you start giving your baby formula your body will not learn to increase milk supply and you will be stuck with formula for good. So if you do want to breastfeed only, stop and instead endure his frequent feedings for some 24-48 hours. Then he is likely to be very content for a while and probably sleep a lot. Good luck! /Paula

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Submitted by: Lynda G

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The rooting alone could also be your baby simply wants something to suck on, like a pacifier. If your baby is gaining weight, seems satisfied after feeding and is only rooting without crying, try giving him one. Hope this helps! :)

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Submitted by: Lane C

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It can be hard and feel as if you are a 24 hr buffet but try and stick it out. I would avoid formula and pacifiers if at all possible. Coming from a mother of 4 I know it can be hard, but try and give him a chance to nurse when he seems that he needs to. Let his body tell yours what to do. If all else fails contact your dr. He may be or may not be something that he needs and isn't getting from your milk. Good luck, Lane C

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Submitted by: Pat

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I think it is important to trust your instincts. If you truely feel your baby is not getting enough milk I would consult with my physician. I am the mother of two children and had that experience with my son. It turned out I had a blockage.

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Submitted by: Ellen

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I tried sooooo hard to breatsfeed. It was extremely painful and difficult (my toes would curl every time she cried!) I consulted lactation specialists, a naturopath, pumped etc. Long story short, I never produced enough milk to feed her exclusively on breastmilk. I had to supplement. Interestingly, my mother had the same experience with me (her first) but not her second or third AND my sister had the same experience with her first (but not her second). I only had one child so I don't know how it would have gone second time around. However, I did still breastfeed until she was 2 and a half years old! I would breastfeed first then give her formula. Talk with your physician and do not feel guilty if things don't go exactly as you planned. You are doing your best and even some breastfeeding is better than none when possible, Good luck! It gets better and better. :-)

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Submitted by: Diana O.

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Thanks ladies for all of your comments. I will try to ride it out and simply follow his cues right now. This is certainly not a gross spurt as he continues to root shortly after he is fed. Currently he won't take to a pacifier but I will keep trying. Thanks again!!

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