Hungry or just needs to suck on something? Breastfeeding Message Board

Jen_C · 03-16-08, 08:33 PM

I feel like all I do is feed my little man. I'm okay with it since he is such a great nurser and what not, but I'm having a hard time "reading" him. I can feed him on both sides for a total of 40 minutes, and get up to change his diaper and he starts crying like crazy and attacking his hand like he's dying for food.

He does that a lot. We have a few times during the day when he's content to just hang out, but most of the time when he's awake he just wants a boob. So how can I tell if he really is hungry vs wanting to suck on something? He's falling asleep for naps while nursing so that makes it hard too.

Jen_C · 03-16-08, 09:09 PM

I was just reading some articles on kelly mom and now I think maybe he's just "drinking" milk at the beginning when the flow is stronger, then just sucking for comfort most of the time. When he's latched his nose is smooshed and it shouldn't be smooshed at all for a good latch. So maybe I'll try to get him to latch a bit better so his lower jaw covers more and try some compressions to keep him drinking instead of sucking.

Look at me replying to myself!

imagine · 03-17-08, 04:34 PM

My DS was the same way. he would eat for 20 min or more on each side and I felt like I was always feeding him but I just let him nurse anyways and by 3 months he was more intresed with playing and looking at everything and he started nursing less and not using it just for comfort anymore.

rudolphia · 03-18-08, 12:32 AM

I think you hit the nail on the head Jen! He just wants you for comfort. Marek used to suck forever and let the excess run out the side of his mouth