breastfeeding a moving baby

[RobiC]

Hi, I didn't know how to title this thread...

anyhow, here is my question: my son is 2.5 months old. he is breastfeeding just fine, in fact he is already 12lb 7oz. he latches on just fine, but sometimes, especially after a while, he looses the grip and does what he was doing at the beginning: look for my nipple with his mouth open... he licks it, and passes over it a lot, but still cannot get it in his mouth. I began telling him "relax honey, mommy is here, and the boob is all for you"... seems to be working...

but I wonder: why does he do that?
could he be telling me that he had enough? (and me helping him back is bad)
could he be having gas?
could he be just playing?
could he have forgotten how to latch on?


Also: could my milk not have enough nutrients for him?
How long should I feed him for?
i think that he is doing fine on my milk, but my mom nastily (I hope this word exists) told me that the baby is not eating enough and it's because my milk is not good enough, and that's why he is fussy. the fact that the baby is gaining weight and can last for 3 hours between feedings most of the times (he lasts less if he falls asleep when eating and i cannot wake him up to finish), doesn't matter....

I love breastfeeding, but i am worried that my baby is starving because my milk is not good enough...

thanks for listening,

Robi

[Wednesday]

Sounds like your mother never breastfed. Your breastmilk is, in fact, the best nutrition for your baby. If you enjoy breastfeeding and your baby is doing fine with it (not fussy, goes for 3 hours), there is no reason you should stop.

It sounds like he is getting sleepy at the breast. My 8-month-old used to do that and I just had to coax him along -- he almost always feel asleep when that was the case. Also, I think your baby may becoming more aware of his surroundings. Remember, babies explore everything with their mouths, so it is only natural that he might spend more time exploring your breast during his feedings.

If you're happy and your baby is happy, continue to do what you are doing. Don't let your mother make you any less confident. If your baby were starving you would know it! Trust yourself.

[RobiC]

Hi,

thank you for your reply. I just lately decided to trust my baby and me. My mom will leave in 2 weeks, so we can finally relax. She doesn't mean bad, but I am overtired, stressed, and anxious so any bad remark really hits me.

my baby is very good. he doesn't cry much, only when he is hungry, or tired. a wet diaper doesn't even bother him! (we change it often anyway). so, as I said, I am going to trust my baby.. even if the doctor says that he should be sleeping in his own room and sleep for 10 hours at night...

he just begun going for 5/6 hours between the last feeding and the night one... I try to put the pacifier in his mouth, but he shows so hungry!! he latches on to anything with flesh: my chin, arms, his hands. I think that when he is ready, he will sleep through the night, as of now, we are happy like this :)

OK, better go.. thank you again for your reply :)

Robi