The ABC’s of Breastfeeding: Growth Spurts
We know it happens with kids (ye olde hollow leg joke...), but sometimes it still takes us by surprise when our breastfed babies go through growth spurts too. We think we've got a good, predictable schedule going and then suddenly the baby just wants to nurse, nurse, and nurse some more! Yikes!
When this happens, many women fear at first that their supply has dropped and that's why the baby wants to nurse all the time. Unless are there are previous indicators of issues (weight loss in the infant, medical issues that can cause supply problems), a sudden surge in baby nursing does not mean you aren't filling their needs anymore. It can simply mean that they are growing, which is a good thing, right? The mechanics of breastfeeding supply are driven by demand, which means that as soon as your body starts to get signals that baby is hungry for more (more nursing), your breasts kick into gear for producing more milk.
Here's how you can help yourself and baby through a nursing growth spurt: * Let her nurse. Often. Snuggle her skin to skin and let her nurse as much as she would like.
* Go easy on yourself. No, you will probably not be as productive with other tasks when your baby is going through a growth spurt. Laundry? Dishes? Cooking? Ask for help (from your partner, your support network, your doula) and adjust to simpler realities for a season. Maybe you won't be able to make a gourmet dinner, but you can buy some ready cut fruits and vegetables, and bake a big batch of chicken to have with salad for several days.
* Find Ways to Keep Yourself Busy While Nursing ~ Did you make a nursing basket for the newborn days? This it the time to restock it! Get a few snacks, a few books you love, your water bottle, keep your phone charger nearby. She will not always nurse like this, I promise (mom of 3 weaned, 1 almost weaned kids here!), so find ways to help the stretching times more engaging for you.
* Check to Make Sure There Aren't Other Distractions ~ Sometimes, as baby grows, it might be harder for her to nurse in new settings because she's just so darn interested in everything else around her! And then, when she gets home, she suddenly realizes she's starving because she spent half an hour watching people at a restaurant instead of eating. Plan for times like this by nursing before you leave for new places, finding a quiet room to nurse in if visiting family, and trying to connect with nursing a little bit earlier than her normal bedtime.
And as I said earlier: truly, this is a season! Celebrate her growth, take care of yourself, and know that "this too shall pass." :)