Not producing enough for my 6 month old..?

[u/alm2hcs]

I breastfed my first baby for 16 months so I feel pretty confident about this task.

However, my 2nd baby is 6 months, breastfeeds like a champ. He is much bigger than my first and very efficient at feeding. He feeds 2-3 hourly during the day and until recently 3 times in the night.

For the last week I've noticed he is way more cranky at night to be fed and gets frustrated when he has to work for it. For the last 2 nights he has woken every 2 hours in the night to feed. Lasy night mu husband managed to settle him after 45 mins of screaming, but he woke an hour later so I caved. Is this a regression?

Tonight I had to feed him after his last nap amd then again an hour later which I usually don't have to do.

Regression? Growth spurt? I'm exhausted and really can't figure what's going on. He hasn't learnt a new skill, still doesn't roll. Very different to first baby.

[u/sprgtime]

Could be growth spurt or sleep regression or both. It doesn't sound like a supply problem. Even though he's a bigger baby, remember that he got that way from your milk. He's got a different genetic blueprint than your first baby, and that's okay.

He sounds a lot like my son at that age. He was 22 pounds at 6 months and nursed often! When he had regressions it was intense! I'd try to sleep whenever you can, stay as hydrated as you can and just plan to nurse around the clock until this passes. Call in favors to some friends for help with laundry or meals or cleaning so you can rest and have less on your plate.

[u/alm2hcs → u/sprgtime]

Thank you for your reply. This is very reassuring. It's so hard to not compare, but they're totally different anyway!

This evening he has gone to bed and just woken for his first feed 3 hours after going down, instead of 2 hours. So moving in the right direction.

[u/Traditional-Ad-7836]

Could be teeth!! I don't think it's from lack of milk, as long as you are eating enough that should be fine.

[u/fvalconbridge]

Growth spurt. Regression. Teething? He could be trying to clusterfeed. There is a huge sleep regression at 6 months because they start eating, sitting up, and being awake for longer periods of time. It will pass ❤️

[u/alm2hcs → u/fvalconbridge]

Thank you for your reply.

This evening I'm just going with the flow instead of fighting with him and getting stressed out. He's gone down for 3 hours before a feed, instead of 2 hours. So a better attitude has worked in my favour!

[u/TraditionalManager82]

6 months is a growth spurt time, I'd assume it's that.

And anyway, production is supply/demand. If you're not producing enough, baby will nurse more and increase it.

[u/LovieRose249]

When are you guys starting solids? My babes is 5.5 mo and can't sit up on her own yet so we have not started, but I've heard from friends that once they start those solids sleep and satisfaction come a looot easier!

[u/alm2hcs → u/LovieRose249]

Thank you for your reply. We have started solids, bring him to the table twice a days. He is keen and shows interest but hasn't the skills to actually eat anything yet. We are doing baby led weaning.

I did try him with baby porridge but he isn't one to happily take whatever is offered on a spoon so will go at his pace

[u/liberatedlemur]

Maybe sick? Winter, travel, spending time indoors with people....