I often get consult requests when a baby is around 4 months old and parents have concerns regarding sudden breast refusal, supply issues &/or poor weight gain.
In most cases these perceived issues are due to developmental changes, with baby actively choosing to interact with the world now, rather than feeding.
In the early months, when a baby wakes s/he will go to the breast and will instinctively suckle without interest in anything else going on in the room. At around 4 months babies become more interested in engaging with the outside world and practicing new skills. They will frequently choose to interact and play when they wake, rather than feeding at the breast.
When they refuse the breast, or jump on and off it, mothers can naturally interpret this as a supply issue – believing baby is frustrated with low supply, rather than simply being uninterested or distracted. A decrease in intake/weight can however occur if breastfeeds aren’t offered at other times when baby is less distracted and would be more interested in feeding.
So how do you manage these changes?
Other things to be aware of:
For breastfeeding and settling support, please contact me, I would love to help.
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