Mistake #4 Assuming That The Baby Has Had Enough Milk
Babies tend to fall asleep when they are on the breast. When this happens, you can easily assume that the baby is full. However, this is not always the case. If the baby keeps waking up and is restless, then the chances are that they have not had to their fill. Something needs to be done to improve the efficiency and supply of the milk. Breastfeeding is also a task for the baby. They can easily fall asleep because they are tired of moving their mouth without getting enough milk. They may sleep and keep waking up now and then because they are not full.
A baby not getting full is not necessarily a feeding problem unless the baby is not adding weight or the bowel movement is less. Picket advises that it is essential for moms to make breastfeeding sessions more efficient. When the baby is full, they will sleep for longer, and this gives the mom ample time to rest and handle other duties. A put-down test can be used to check if the baby is full. This is simply placing your baby down without a pacifier or a swaddle. The downward position restricts their ability to communicate if they are still hungry. If they start to squawk or swam, you can put them close to you in an upright position. It is easy for them to burp and even cuddle in your arms to signify they want to be touched. However, if you notice that they are sucking their hands or looking for the breast, the chances are that they are still hungry.
When a baby nibbles a lot, or you notice fluttery sucks, then it means that the body is not getting the proper signal to produce more milk. To correct this, Picket advises that you use breast compressions. This will keep the milk flowing, and the baby will have proper mouthfuls. If you notice less milk flow, you can switch to the other breast. This will ensure continuity and your baby will fall asleep for longer because they are full. It is essential to have a breast pump especially after three to four months of breastfeeding. At this time, the milk supply can go down, and the compressions from the breast can improve the signals.
