Loretta Anderson IBCLC Lactation Consultant In Brisbane, Qld

Little Tweaks That Make A Huge Difference

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Help! My Baby is an Overtired, Angry Monster!

Help! My Baby is an Overtired, Angry Monster!
Reading Time: 8 minutes

Just before we start……….

If your baby is crying for an extended period of time and your gut is telling you there is something more going on. Please take your baby to their doctor or hospital if out of hours.

Particularly if your baby has a fever, a rash or the crying session is out of the ordinary for your baby.  Better to get your baby checked then sit on this!

Now on to the content and help your little bundle of joy!

Let’s set the scene……………..your new baby is under 6 weeks, it is anywhere in the day but most likely night time!  Your baby has been screaming without sleep for many hours! Is inconsolable and you just don’t know what is wrong OR what to do!

Your baby may be overtired! You haven’t done anything wrong…..it’s just part of being a new human in this world 🙂

You know what it feels like to be overtired! When your life is too busy and you have too much on your plate with too little sleep!  You are exhausted, cranky and burnt out!  It doesn’t feel good at all!

Now try and think of your baby, they are much smaller packages and have big jobs to do! Like, feeding, sleeping, learning new bodily functions and GROWING! A baby gets overtired much quicker than us and needs more sleep than us!

So being overtired is normal!  It happens everyday for a newborn particularly under 6 weeks! But there are a few tell-tale signs that alert you to their overtired state!  If you learn these you can start to help your baby without WORRYING!

What Does Your Overtired Baby Look Like?

Your baby will show lots of cues to tell you they are overtired.  Quite often new parents are not aware what an overtired baby looks like, TOTALLY NORMAL!

Crying and screaming is the first cue!  

Crying is your baby’s only language so they cry HEAPS, particularly under 6 weeks! They cry at every task you do, feeding, settling, nappy changing, bathing, burping and anything else you do!

Babies are different to us as adults.  If we cry it means something is very wrong!  If a baby cries it is just that something is happening to them!

An overtired baby just cries for a longer period of time.  You see, your baby gets into a bit of a pickle! They get overwhelmed with everything they do and somewhere in a 24 hour period your baby will cry for a longer than normal period of time (an overtired baby!)

So you can expect this as part of your normal day.  You can start to anticipate this overtired time and just know that you can get through it. You will be up and tending to your baby but it will END!

After the extended crying cue your baby may show signs that they want to breastfeed, however, they don’t latch. They hover their crying mouth over your nipple but don’t get going! This ist he next cue.

Pushing away from you, particularly at the breast

This is a big one!  You may think there is something wrong with your breastfeeding, am I right?! Well, there is not! Your baby is so overstimulated that they can’t calm themselves long enough to do their usual searching and latching on to the breast.

Your baby is not rejecting you or knowingly pushing you away (it feels like this sometimes!). It is just hard for them to come to the party and do their job when they are overtired.

They can even refuse to breastfeed at all, that’s up next………….

Refusing the breast

This is the most distressing.  You can lead your baby to the breast and they won’t drink!  Your baby will cry and even cry with their mouth hovering over the breast!  All you want them to do is suck but they won’t!  This is because it takes energy to suck and they are too tired to do this.

Don’t worry, your baby will eventually get it!  It just takes time and some calming for you both to come together. You will see the answers in the TOOLS.

Next up is a tell-tale sign that always gets the blame for EVERYTHING!

Pulling their legs up

You may notice your baby pulling their legs up towards their tummy!  This can look like they have a tummy ache and wind pain.  Well, this may be true, especially if they have been crying for a long time.

Lots of crying means they swallow air and can get a pain in the tummy.  But don’t worry, this will pass with feeding and settling.  It is part of being overtired!

Lots of parents label this as ‘wind’ or ‘colic’, which can be true.  BUT, you are still dealing with a baby that is overtired and needs attention for this!  

The wind and colic are symptoms of an overtired baby rather than the cause!  So my message is ALWAYS treat the cause and you will be all fixed!

So lets get on to the TOOLS to resolve this and get your beautiful calm baby back!

Mother Soothing A Crying Baby

Your TOOL BOX!

The key to manage an overtired baby is to keep trying all the tools until your baby finally goes to SLEEP!  As you know an overtired baby is really just overstimulated.

There is nothing in particular wrong so the answer will not be a one size fits all.  It will be a whole lot of things combined, in any order and repeated!

This means you don’t have to worry about what to do!  Just do it all and repeat over and over until your baby finally goes to sleep……………..AND they will, trust me!

Some overtired babies will cry and need assistance for many many hours! An average time is about 4 hours but it can be double this when your baby is really over stimulated.

THE KEY: MOVE THROUGH THE TOOLS QUICKLY

It is best not to try for too long on any tool unless it is working!  If you listen to your baby you will notice if they are escalating (crying more) or calming.  Calming means you stay on your tool, keep going and you may get SLEEP!

If not, change to the next tool and see if you get a better response.  You may also find a combination of a few tools work best. For example, wrapping and patting or wrapping and breastfeeding!  Mix it up until it works!

If you have a great combo let me know in the comments so others can share in your success and learn from YOU!!

Tool #1 RESPOND

This is the easy one!  All you have to do is pick your baby up and respond to their cries!  You can do this at any time in your baby’s day!  Your baby may not be in an overtired state, you may just feed and then back to bed.  OR this won’t happen and you keep responding over and over again.  This is when you realise you are in an overtired situation!

SO responding is a great tool.  Just so you know it is not a good idea to leave your baby alone to deal with this. They don’t have ANY coping skills and can’t sooth themselves.  But the great thing is YOU do!

Some may think they are SPOILING their baby.  Forget this!  You cannot spoil your baby, they don’t have the capacity to remember and manipulate you (just yet!). So follow your primal instinct to pick your baby up and soothe!

Your baby will immediately feel your support even if they are still crying. Your love and care and response are keys to unlocking their CALM!

Tool #2 Keep calm

While you are trying to unlock your baby’s calm you also need to KEEP CALM!  This is difficult to do when you are tired, worried and stressed!

But if you know that this overtired pattern happens each day you will get better at keeping calm.  Here’s a few strategies that you can implement now!  GET UP! Even if it is in the middle of the night!  You will fell better if you are not always trying to get back to bed.

Make a cuppa, put the TV on and have this list handy! Then keep following the tools!

Tool #3 Wrapping

Wrapping is a fantastic tool to calm your baby!  Now I do hear a lot from mothers about sleep suits rather than wrapping.  Or that their baby just doesn’t like to be wrapped.  This may be true, however, an overtired baby will struggle when you try and wrap them. This does not mean they don’t ‘like’ the wrap.  It is just their overtired little person coming out to play!  Just keep wrapping and your baby will respond and calm down.

A good, tight wrap CAN reduce overstimulation and give you a neat little package to cuddle, pat and breastfeed if you need to!

Just remember, it is up to you if you wrap your baby or maybe a sleep suit will work better for you baby, that is ok.  But I dare say, you are here to learn more tools so give wrapping another try.

Tool #4 Patting

I love this step!  So once you have wrapped your baby into a little burito you can begin patting.  Start by placing your baby on your chest, or across your body.  You want your baby facing you.  Now place one hand at their upper back and use your other hand to pat their bottom in a rhythmical pattern.

You may find your baby is still crying, just keep going and see if your baby starts to calm in your arms.  You can also say Shh Shh Shh while you are patting.

If your baby is not settling and the crying increases.  You may notice your baby will start to look for food!  If this is happening or you ‘think’ this is happening then a breastfeed is next on the menu!

Tool #5 Breastfeed

Now, don’t worry if your baby has just fed!  Don’t worry if your baby does not take the breast!  Don’t worry if your baby pulls away from the breast!  This is all very NORMAL!

This breastfeed is just a tool to help you calm your baby.  Your baby may have a great feed or only a few sucks.  The goal is to calm your baby enough for them to go off to sleep.

The breast is a wonderful place to fall asleep.  Don’t worry if you baby falls asleep here, it means you have WON!  The goal for an overtired baby is sleep and if the breast does it then this tool worked!

Your baby can be all wrapped up at the breast.  This means you may be able to transfer your little bundle straight to bed.

But, if the breastfeed does not work, you may swing round to this again soon!  If not, move on to the next tool……..

Tool #6 Finger sucking

This trick can be used at any time.  What finger sucking does is lets your baby suck to calm without having to breastfeed.  It takes more energy to breastfeed than it does to suck on your finger.

Use a clean finger and place it so the pad of your finger is facing towards the roof of your baby’s mouth.  Then rub the pad on the roof of their mouth.  Your baby will take your finger and cup it with their tongue and suck.

If your baby is not responding to this then stop and move to another tool.  You will know if this is working within a few minutes!  On to the next……….

Tool #7 Check nappy

This may seem like an obvious tool, but it is important!  The reason is, one minute there could be no surprises, the next a VERY full nappy!  So keep checking as part of your tool checklist!

Another important reason to check the nappy is to keep a record of your baby’s poo and wee.  If you baby is having an extended overtired, crying session, you can get worried!  But if your baby continues to poo and wee, that is yellow, soft poo and clear wet nappies then your bub is ok!

Head on over to my blog on is my baby getting enough to learn more on the contents of your baby’s nappy!  Love this topic!

Where to from here, especially if your baby is STILL crying!  REPEAT!

Tool #8 REPEAT

Over and over again! Repeat in any order at any time with any combination!  These are pretty much all the tools you will need to calm your baby.

WONDERFUL!

What next?

I bet your wondering how you limit these overtired sessions to the minimum amount of time! You see the more overtired your baby is the longer these tools will take to work!

Remember I said that this is a normal part of your baby’s day.  Well it is but you can get this time really short!  You just have to make sure each breastfeed, settling session and other task is conserving energy!

You can head on over to my blog, 72 hours to a clam baby and sink your teeth into the tools for EVERY feed!  The reason it is 72 hours is because your baby is overtired NOW!  So you need to set yourself on the right course and the CALM will follow.

To sum up……….An overtired baby just needs to be coaxed along until they are able to feed again or fall peacefully asleep!

Last points…………

Keep an eye the poo and wee this will tell you if your baby is getting enough.  If this is not the case then you can send me a message 0414 403 208 and we can troubleshoot together.

Have FUN!

close-up portrait of a beautiful sleeping baby on white

Filed Under: Emotions & Mindset, Timing of Feeds Tagged With: Week 1, Week 2, Week 3

How To Drop Formula And Fully Breastfeed – Without Extra Pumping!

How To Drop Formula And Fully Breastfeed – Without Extra Pumping!
Reading Time: 12 minutes

Breastfeeding doesn’t always come naturally. In fact, most mothers are struggling in the first few weeks! 

One of the most common struggles is worrying about milk supply, or more specifically, not having enough.

Once worry sets in many mothers may think about giving extra milk. It may even be offered in hospital for medical reasons. Generally it is not needed.

The tricky thing is, once formula is introduced the amounts almost always increase.

But don’t worry, it’s not your fault. We can turn this around with the 6 Steps below! Keep reading!

Now let’s see if we are on the same page.……

Is this your reality?

Your baby is guzzling milk from a bottle even after you have breastfed………you are devastated! You ask yourself, “Am I ever going to keep up and meet my baby’s insatiable appetite?”

At each feed you are breastfeeding for as long as you can. Giving a small amount of expressed breast milk then giving the rest of the feed as formula?

After the breastfeed you need to pump milk ready for the next feed which is just around the corner!

You are stuck in an endless loop of pumping, cleaning bottles and fitting in crucial sleep!

It’s a crazy merry-go-round that you can’t jump off! You feel stressed and exhausted! Am I right?!!

Children's Playground equipment - merry go round spinning very fast

This is not sustainable! It’s just too hard to breastfeed, then pump, then bottle feed and then do it all over again and again!

Quite often you begin to miss breastfeeds.  After all you need a break! I hear you AND I don’t blame you………..let’s face it, someone can help you with bottle feeding!

BUT if your mind and body are just yearning to put your baby to the breast then I have the answers!

If fully breastfeeding is your goal then formula has to go!

I know you must be thinking, HOW? How do you cut down the formula and still meet your baby’s needs.  

The answer is in the 6 steps below.  But, to reassure you,  the plan does not include extra PUMPING! Although some pumping IS needed, it is only until the formula stopped!

Why Pumping More Is Not The Answer

As I promised, the ANSWER is not to PUMP more milk! You may be asking, “why don’t you need to pump more milk?” Good question.  There are three reasons why pumping is not the answer:

Reason # 1 – Hormones Are Not Helping

A pump doesn’t compare to skin to skin contact from your beautiful baby.  When your baby cuddles into your breast your body releases a hormone called oxytocin.  This hormone helps you pump more milk!

You see, a pump is plastic and does not feel the same as your baby.  So you don’t release oxytocin as well and this reduces the amount of milk you express. 

 So the breastfeed is the best way! I will go into this more in just a minute!

Reason # 2 – Pump Not As Strong As Baby

Mechanical pumping is not as strong as your baby breastfeeding. More specifically, the pump ONLY draws the milk out by a sucking action.  

Whereas your baby, on the other hand, compresses the breast tissue with their mouth, jaw and tongue. Then draws the milk out at the same time! This is double the work of the pump.  Your baby is the best!

So we want to use your baby to increase your milk supply rather than more pumping! Do whatever works best, am I right?

Reason # 3 – No Time!

You may be thinking that you could just pump more. This will produce more milk and THEN you can cut down formula!

But realistically you just don’t have time to pump more.  Remember that merry-go-round………breastfeed, pump, bottle feed and bed!  Not much time to fit more pumping in.

To add to this, when you do pump for a long time, and I mean more than half an hour in one session, your breasts may become painful.  They may swell and cause problems with latching.

For these three reasons, mechanical pumping is just not as effective as the sucking and swallowing action of your baby breastfeeding.

So the PROBLEM is how are we going to get off that merry-go-round, cut formula and fully breastfeed? Well the SOLUTION is…………………. More EFFECTIVE BREASTFEEDING!

Better sucking and swallowing = more milk = increase in supply!

So lets’ minimise the pumping, focus on the breastfeed and get into the PLAN!

Plan Design Guide Mission Objective Solution Concept

We are in! This plan will get you fully breastfeeding. It is FULL-ON, but usually only for a week or so! So let’s make a commitment together, you in?

First, Let’s go over your GOALS. These will help with your focus and show you there is light at the end of the tunnel!

Goals with wooden cubes

Goal #1 – Watch Your Baby

As you move through the steps you need to watch your baby breastfeeding. More specifically you will see your baby become more alert and sucking and swallowing will be more frequent.

This means your breast milk supply is INCREASING! (even though you can’t see it).  Step #2 will give you more on this!

Goal #2 – Amount Of Formula Decreasing

Keep track of the amount of formula you are giving. The goal is to watch this number decrease. This means your baby is taking more milk out while breastfeeding! (Again, you won’t see this extra milk your baby is getting!)

So let’s dive into the steps to drop formula and fully breastfeed!

Step #1 Timing the breastfeed

First, you will still need to top up with formula when you start this plan.  But don’t worry, formula will decrease as we get into the plan.

Now to the timing of the breastfeed. This step is making sure you breast feed, give the top up and put you baby back to bed in around an hour!

Le me explain why I chose an hour! You see, it’s tiring being a new human out in this world.

Your baby is still very little. And as a result – he (or she) has very limited amount of energy when they are awake.

That is why babies under 6 weeks can only stay awake for about one hour before they “tire out”! 

It might not seem like hard work to you… But maintaining body temperature and developing all other bodily functions is a massive, tiring job for your baby!

And that leaves very little energy for feeding. And adding to your baby’s tiredness is the digestion of formula. This is where the problems start.

You see, formula is harder to digest than breast milk. A baby that is having formula will use some of their precious energy on this digestion and will be tired for the next breastfeed.

This creates a negative loop: sleepy breastfeeding (baby takes less milk) – more formula needed – sleepy breastfeeding!

So we need to make sure the breastfeed is super efficient. This is why, in step #2, I will give you ALL MY STRATEGIES to get a tired baby to suck well and drink more!

Each breastfeed will get better and better! Your baby will gradually take more and more milk from the breast! And at the same time – INCREASING YOUR SUPPLY –WITHOUT PUMPING!

Here is the break down of how each breastfeed will look:

  1. Breastfeed as soon as your baby wakes, any side. Leave nappy to the middle of the feed. If you first check and change their nappy there’s a good chance a lot of their energy will be wasted on crying. Therefore, it is much better (at least over the next week) to breastfeed first.
  2. Change nappy after the first breast (this will wake baby up….not done yet!)
  3. Head over to the other side. (And maybe back and forth again….more about the breastfeed in Step #2!)
  4. This should take about 45 minutes in total
  5. Offer your expressed breast milk as a top up first
  6. Next offer formula to fill baby up (This is where we will see the numbers decrease!)
  7. Wrap and settle baby back to bed
  8. All done in an hour!

These steps above will change as we remove the top ups. The breastfeed will go for the full hour. (Your baby won’t be sucking for the whole hour but the whole process of both breasts, nappy and back to bed within an hour!).

So now let’s see how to manage the breastfeed so your baby takes heaps of milk out and increases your supply. (Leading to less pumping, YAY!)

What I’m talking about is focussing on the sucking and swallowing during the breastfeed. So here goes!

Step #2 Focus on the Swallowing!

Focus on the Swallowing means WATCH YOUR BABY SUCKING.

You see, your baby sucks at the breast then swallows the milk.  But your baby needs to suck quite hard to pull the milk through the breast, out the nipple and into their mouth.  A big job and very tiring!

So, you are watching for big sucks rather than little nibbles. Pay close attention to them. What is your baby doing?

  • Is your baby’s sucking pattern deep and rhythmical?
  • Is your baby’s jaw opening wide? (You’ll know it is when you see movement at their temple)

Those two points are the signs of a good, strong suck which has the ability to extract the milk out of the breast.  

But if the sucking changes to little flutter sucks or nibbling, or if your baby actually falls asleep, it’s time for a break. 

You see, sucking at the breast is so tiring that your baby can only do it for up to 20 minutes at a time. With formula, this may be quite a bit less, more like 5 minutes before they’re are exhausted!

Once the action slows down, the sucking becomes ineffective and doesn’t have enough “drawing power” to extract milk from the breast.

When that happens, your baby may come off by themselves. Or you can do 2 tricks to get the Nibbles to turn into bigger sucks. Let me explain:

  1. While your baby is breastfeeding cuddle your baby into you. This pushes their mouth into your breast giving them a little nudge – – Bigger sucks!
  2. To help your baby further and change those nibbles into sucks you can use a simple trick – – Breast Compression. Place your hand on your breast, at the top away from their mouth. Give a squeeze and HOLD for a minute or until your baby moves into big sucking. You can repeat this as often as you like!  This one trick can increase your supply AND why you don’t need to PUMP more!  (See Video!)
  3. Listen for swallows – Lean in and listen. You will hear a click or breath out your baby’s nose. To get a better idea of the noise you can drink out of a water bottle and listen to what it sounds like.  Swallowing a smaller amount of milk is a quieter noise and a big gulp or larger amount of milk is much louder.

If all this pushing and squeezing does not produce a swallow, it’s time to take your baby off!

And now… it’s “daddy time”!

Now you can recognise a big suck and stimulate your baby to suck well (by squeezing your breast!

You are on the way to increasing your milk supply.

You are helping your baby suck effectively to remove more milk with big sucks! (This means Less pumping!)

Up next is how to manage the 45 minute breastfeed to make the most of your baby’s precious energy.

Step #3 Taking a Break and Switching Sides

This step will explain what to do throughout your 45 minute breastfeed. A hint, you will be using BOTH BREASTS!

You can also incorporate your new squeezing techniques, from Step #2, into the breastfeed.  

Firstly start the breastfeed as soon as your baby wakes, leave the nappy until the middle of the feed (as I mentioned above).  This means your baby can use all their energy on the breast feed.

Next, watch your baby at the breast and make sure you are seeing swallowing. Follow step # 2 over and over again to keep your baby swallowing.

In the 45 minute breastfeed your baby will have a few goes at the breast incorporating both sides.  

Your baby may be on each breast somewhere between 5 and 20 minutes and can switch sides between each go. You may even use both breasts twice each!  Great stimulation!

Here’s how the breastfeed will look:

  1. Watch your baby sucking
  2. When you see the swallowing slow down, implement step # 2, pushing your baby in and squeezing your breast. Repeat this a few times over a few minutes.
  3. If baby remains sleepy and not responding (that is moving from nibbles to big sucks) it is time to take your baby off.  
  4. By taking your baby off you allow them to rest their jaw, wake up a little and then get ready to go back for more swallowing (Only a few minutes).
  5. When you take your baby off lie them on the floor (on a mat or blanket), you can also check and change the nappy.
  6. Your baby will wake, look around, suck on their hand then cry.  This is your cue to start the breastfeed again on the other side (it may only be a few minutes then back into it)!

You will keep repeating this process over and over until you have completed approximately 45 minutes.  

It may seem weird to do this, BUT, it is the only way to keep your baby alert and to swallow as much milk as possible.  

This is the key to increasing your supply. (Not more pumping!)

But remember the goals above, you are looking for change. The change you will see is your baby getting more and more alert as they take in more and more breast milk.

THEN you will notice the formula amounts dropping (keep track of formula numbers!).

As the amounts of formula decrease your baby will have less to digest and more breast milk. Remember it is much easier to digest breast milk…..This means more energy for breastfeeding!  

Next step is about the top up of extra milk. You will still need to use breast milk and formula until your baby takes over the job of Fully Breastfeeding (maybe a few days!)

Step #4 Top up

After you have breastfed for 45 minutes, taking your baby off in response to their swallowing, it is time for the top up.

Firstly, offer your breast milk, this is from your last pumping session.  I will explain about your pumping in step #5.  Offering your breast milk first means you can give less formula.

Once you have given your milk, assess if your baby still wants more and if so give formula.  

Your baby feeds very quickly from a bottle and finds it difficult to stop the flow.  This means they may take more than they actually need.

To fix this offer small amounts of formula, about 10 mililitres first then repeat this amount until your baby is full enough to settle easily.

If you are not sure how much to give head over to my blog “How much top up to give your baby.”

Remember goal #2 is taking note of the amount of formula you are giving.  You are trying to decrease this amount each day. This will happen naturally as your baby takes more milk while breastfeeding!  

Once you have breastfed and topped your baby up it is time for bed.  Try and finish all this within an hour, but remember this is a guide and may take a little longer.

Now on to pumping, yes there is a little pumping to be done, but not much!

Step #5 Pumping Time

Once your baby is in bed it is pumping time.  (Because you are making the breastfeed efficient you have a little more time for pumping!

This pumped milk will be ready to use for the next top up.  

I have written an awesome blog on pumping, its called 3 Steps to Pumping Success. If you flip over here you can get all the tips to pump effectively and get more milk out!!

But before you pump, Here is a BIG TIP – You may not notice an increase in the amount of milk you pump.  

This is very NORMAL!  As I have stated it is not about the pumping it is about the breastfeed.  

Your baby will be taking out more and more milk during the breastfeed. You won’t see this milk but your supply is increasing.

It is a hard concept to grasp, I know! As I have said all the way through this blog, it’s not about the pumping!

Your baby is better at getting the milk out. We just had to get the breastfeed right so your baby can help you increase your supply.

But you still need to pump while you are still using formula.  Let me explain, if you are using milk that is not coming from your body (formula). Then you need to remind your breasts to make more milk.

This where pumping is necessary! Pumping will stop once the formula stops!  Happy days!

Now on to the final step, making sure your baby is getting enough with all this sucking and swallowing at the breast!

Step #6 Nappy Time

Final point and most important – Count Nappies! What goes in, must come out. By counting nappies and knowing what is normal will do the trick!

As you decrease the formula and manage the breastfeed, it is time to count the poo and wee.  

So here is the deal, if you continue to maintain the right amount of poo and wee, then we know for SURE you baby is still getting enough to eat! Even though you can’t see your milk!

Here is the low-down of expected poo and wee for a baby between 1 and 6 weeks (Check our my blog, Is Your Baby Getting Enough Milk?):

Wee – Your baby will have a wet nappy whenever you change it. Generally about 6-8 each 24 hours.

Poo – Your baby will poo on average 3-4 times each 24 hours. It will be soft, yellow and look like there are little lumps in it. Poo is a little more individual for each baby. So you may not meet the 3-4 average.

If your baby does one poo per day it will be a big one, filling the bottom of the nappy.  If your baby does 8 poo’s per day they will be smaller.  

The bigger the time frame between poo the bigger the poo.

Bring it all together

So now you can:

  • Assess your baby’s sucking and swallowing.  
  • Manage the breastfeed in about 45 minutes by taking your baby off and on in response to their sucking and swallowing.
  • Fit in some pumping.  
  • See formula decreasing.

All this can happen within one week!  Just keep following the goals and keep monitoring the changes.  

Formula decreasing and breastfeeding increasing coupled with the right amount of poo and wee means it’s WORKING!

One more tip, weigh your baby at the end of the week to make sure the weight is increasing.  Check out my blogs on slow weight gain here.

What’s next?

If you have been able to remove formula altogether then it is time to decrease the breast milk top ups and breastfeed for a little longer (about an hour).

You are trying to get your baby full and satisfied from a breastfeed alone.  You can go slow by giving a top up of your breast milk every second feed and see how you go.  Then drop more top ups until you are fully breastfeeding.

A Final Point…………

Sometimes plans go a little south! Don’t worry. Just hang in there, I know this plan is FULL-ON! But it should only be for about a week.  

Just keep watching for your goals!  Or contact me for more support. I have supported thousands of mothers through this tough time! You got this, or you’ve got me!  

Young mother breastfeeds her baby. Breast-feeding.

Filed Under: Emotions & Mindset, Expressing, Milk Supply Tagged With: Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6

How Soon Can You Give Your Baby A Dummy?

How Soon Can You Give Your Baby A Dummy?
Reading Time: 3 minutes

You may have heard that using a dummy can get in the way of breastfeeding. But is that true, or is it just a myth? 

After working with more than 17,000 newborns in my long career as a midwife and lactation consultant, here’s my advice to you: 

Unless your baby was born prematurely, I recommend you steer clear of pacifiers in the first 4-6 weeks. And here’s why:

Why You Shouldn’t Use A Pacifier In The First 4-6 Weeks

A young baby can suck for a maximum of about 15 minutes before they get tired and need a break. Which means that even 5-10 minutes sucking on a dummy can tire a baby under 6 weeks out.

So, if you let your baby suck on a pacifier before a breastfeeding session – you are setting yourself up for trouble.

Because even five short minutes of sucking on a dummy before breastfeeding can leave the muscles of your baby’s jaw so tired… your baby won’t be able to extract milk property from the breast! 

And that’s where things get really dicey. Because what does a tired, hungry, frustrated baby do? They cry, of course! 

So now you’re holding a frustrated, tired, fussy baby. They won’t feed. They won’t sleep. What do you do?

Well, what most mums do – is give the baby the pacifier again! 

It’s a natural instinct. And within that moment – it usually helps, too! But here’s the problem.

Yes, the baby eventually falls asleep. But since it’s sleeping on a  stomach that’s far from full – this sleep session will be short and light. And when the baby wakes up…

… they wake up more tired and more cranky than ever!!

The only way to break this cycle? Not let the pacifier tire your baby out before they are fed! So if you absolutely need to use a dummy, here’s what I recommend: 

How to use a pacifier (without interfering with your breastfeeding) when your baby is under six weeks old: 

  1. Feed First –  Dummy Last!


    During the first few weeks, every time your baby wakes – no matter how soon after the last feed – it is best to feed first! 

    Baby’s up? Go to the breast and follow the steps of this feeding plan 

  2. Before The Dummy – Can Your Baby Fall Asleep? 


    When you follow my feeding plan, your baby will settle after a short pat, and more often than not will just go off to sleep.

  3. Baby Won’t Settle? 


    If your baby doesn’t settle within a few minutes, and after you’ve fed them on both sides, you can confidently give the dummy a go!

    Wrap your baby and use the dummy to help them settle.

  4. Don’t Place It Back In!


    Important!

    Once your baby settles, take the dummy out and put it aside. 

    Don’t keep placing the dummy back in! 

    If your baby won’t settle and you need to keep putting the dummy back in – the baby is probably still hungry! Put aside the dummy, and follow the steps I explain here in the “What To Do If Your Baby Does Not Go To Sleep” section)  

Remember, managing a newborn baby is a balancing act. It’s all about getting the things that need to be done (feeding, changing the diaper, etc.) – before they tire out.

That’s the key for content, well-fed, sleeping babies. If you stick to that you probably won’t even need a dummy! (Again, I recommend following this feeding plan to make this as easy and natural as possible for you.)

What About Using Dummies After The First 4-6 Weeks? 

I’m not a huge fan of dummies and pacifiers, but then again – I’m not there in the middle of the night when you’re tired out of your mind and your little bundle of joy won’t stop crying!

So here’s what I recommend. 

With every day passing beyond the first six weeks, your baby will have more and more energy. As this happens, dummies may very well become your close friends! 

Beyond the first six weeks, and as long as you offer the pacifier after your baby has fed, there shouldn’t be any problem.

“My Baby Can’t Live Without The Dummy!! What Should I Do?”

If your baby just can’t live without their dummy –– then you need to look at what else is going on. I recommend following this feeding plan and making sure you’ve got a good latch by using Loretta’s 7 Simple Steps For A Perfect Latch.

If that’s doesn’t help, don’t hesitate to contact me for personalised support! Give me a call (or text me) at 0414 403 208 and together we will figure it all out!

Yours,
Loretta

P.S. I DO recommend dummies for premature infants (born before 37 weeks) 

Here’s why: The “tire out” effect that applies to babies that are carried to term doesn’t apply to premature babies – because they are tube fed. And here, a dummy gives you an advantage:

Giving premature babies a dummy helps them learn to suck while having tube feeds. And when it’s time to go home – that’s when you replace the dummies with real breastfeeding! 🙂 

Mother breastfeeding her baby falling asleep breast closeup

Filed Under: Damaged/Painful Nipples, Engorgement, Latching, Milk Supply, Timing of Feeds Tagged With: Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 5, Week 6

Blocked Ducts – How To Treat, When To Seek Help

Blocked Ducts – How To Treat, When To Seek Help
Reading Time: 5 minutes

Signs Of Blocked Ducts

If you have one or more of the following symptoms, you probably have a blocked duct: 

  1. A firm area on your breast that feels like a lump. (It can be small or large. Sometimes it can even cover half of your breast!)
  2. A red area on your breast
  3. An area on your breast that feels hot
  4. Breastfeeding is suddenly painful
  5. Despite continuing breastfeeding, the symptoms above have not gone away. 

Most mothers face blocked ducts at least once in their lives (Yes, it’s that common – you can find out why it happens here – 5 Most Common Causes For Blocked Ducts – And How To Prevent Them!)

So if you’re experiencing one of more of the symptoms above – don’t panic!

How To Treat Blocked Ducts

Follow the process I explain below, and you should be able to resolve this painful situation in no time.

The block often disappears right away when you follow these steps. If it doesn’t, you may need to repeat the process for a few days until the block is relieved. So here’s what to do:

1. Don’t Try To Fix This With More Pumping

Many mothers try extra pumping to relieve a blocked duct. The problem is, pumping is hard work… and it’s not an effective solution.

In fact, the best way to resolve a blocked duct is… to carry on breastfeeding!

This is because your baby is designed to suck perfectly on your breast and nipple. And they’ll do a much better job than any electric pump. There is a “but” though… 

BUT… 

In order for breastfeeding to relieve the blocked duct, you need to make sure your baby’s latch is “spot on”.

It’s simple – a strong latch releases much more milk, and therefore will have the power to remove the blockage. 

If you see a small mouth just around your nipple, you are looking at a weak latch. Your baby may be nibbling (and usually falling asleep). If this happens, start your latch again, and follow my 7-Step System For A Perfect Latch which I explained in this blog post:

How can you tell if your latch is strong? Look at your baby’s mouth while breastfeeding. If their mouth is wide open and coverers some of the dark area around your nipple – you have a great latch!

https://lorettaanderson.com.au/second-feed-and-beyond/

2. Breastfeed On The Side With The Lump First

Until the blockage is resolved, you’re better off to breastfeed on the side with the lump first. I know this sounds counter intuitive, so let me explain:

Your baby’s suck is extra strong right after they wake up. However, because babies have such limited energy, their “sucking power” diminishes within minutes. 

In other words, your baby might not have enough energy to help clear the lump if you start with the second side first. 

If you have a good latch, continue to the last step.

3. If Your Baby Isn’t Feeding Very Well

Of course, my recommendation to rely on breastfeeding rather than pumping to relieve the blockage won’t work if your baby is not feeding well. 

If that’s the case, pumping the sore breast after the breastfeed can help clear out the lump. Make sure you follow my three steps for How To Use An Electric Breast Pump The Correct Way to get your blocked duct cleared soon and with as little pain possible.

https://lorettaanderson.com.au/how-to-use-an-electric-breast-pump-the-correct-way/

4. Make Sure You’re Not Switching Sides Too Soon

When breastfeeding, you want to carry on with the same side until you have drained that breast as much as possible.

Otherwise, you’ll waste your baby’s “sucking energy” on the side that isn’t blocked. Makes sense, right? But how can you tell whether your breast is drained or not?

It’s easy. 

All you have to do is feel your breast after the breastfeed.

Not the lump, but the rest of the breast. 

Lift the breast and give it a shake. A breast that is drained will move a little like jelly. If your breast feels firm, it is probably not drained. If that’s the case, offer the same side again. 

5. Breast Massage

Lumps can be pretty stubborn at times. And if yours has been lingering for a few days, the next thing to add to the mix is breast massage.

You see, when you massage as I explain below, what you are doing is loosening the lump. This, in turn, helps your baby drain and reduce the size of the lump more effectively.

In other words – you and your baby are an unstoppable team!

So the goal with breast massage is movement. You want to shake your breast around and loosen the lump. The blockage may clear in one go, or it may get smaller day by day (if it gets smaller each day it is clearing!)

Massage before you feed your baby.

Also massage before you pump (if you need to.) And a quick massage in the shower once a day will help too!  

Steps For Effective Lump-Loosening Breast Massage

  1. Massage just before you breastfeed, for approximately five minutes.
  2. Massage to your comfort level. Start gently and increase pressure as your pain eases. Too sore? Then ease off. (Don’t hurt yourself – breast massage doesn’t need to be painful to work!!!)
  3. Start by lifting your breast with one hand by cupping underneath your breast.  This makes it easier for your breast to move while massaging.
  4. Next, use the pads of your middle three fingers on your other hand and feel around your whole breast until you hit the edges of the lump.  It will be quite a bit firmer than the rest of your breast tissue.  If you can’t find the edges, don’t worry, just massage over the red area or firm area on your breast.
  5. While still holding your breast, massage in a circular motion around and over the lump with your fingers.  Push and rub until you get around your whole breast. Your breast needs to shake as you do this. (Remember – the goal is movement, and shaking will loosen the lump – as will the pressure of your fingers.)
  6. Continue to massage around your whole breast if you feel other lumps just do the same massage over these.
  7. Once finished, breastfeed your baby.
  8. Your baby will get more milk and the blockage will begin to clear or clear completely. 

How Long Does It Normally Take For A Blocked Duct To Clear?

A lot of mothers expect the lump to clear immediately when they massage. They’ll stay up (sometimes all night) massaging their breast – without result.

Don’t do it. Give your body some time. Just make sure you are seeing these signs that show you are going in the right direction: 

Signs that your breast lump is resolving:

  • The red area on your breast is fading from red to pale pink and going back to normal skin colour 
  • The lump area is getting less painful
  • The lump is getting smaller (after feeds or generally) 

What If It Gets Worse?

Following this process, the lump should clear up in 1-5 days. 

If it lingers beyond that, or if you’re seeing any of the following symptoms – it’s time to pay your doctor a visit.

  • The redness on your breast has spread, and is now covering most of your breast.
  • The pain in your breast is increasing.
  • You have a headache across your forehead (usually coupled with other symptoms as everyone gets headaches!)
  • You feel like you have the flu such as achy body and tiredness.
  • You have a temperature that is creeping up and could be over 38.5 degrees celsius.
  • You are shivery and shaky.

These symptoms can appear at anytime while you have the lump and in some cases may even appear before the lump can be felt. 

If you have any of the symptoms above, I recommend you see your local doctor. If you are looking at a wait of over 24 hours before you can be treated – don’t wait. Head to your local hospital to be checked.

While not common, in some cases blocked ducts do lead to mastitis. And the sooner you catch mastitis – the faster and less painful the treatment period is. 

But don’t get ahead of yourself. If you suffer these symptoms, see your doctor for a conclusive diagnosis. Always good to get straight on to this, and better safe than painful! 🙂 

In almost all cases, following the five steps I described above should do the trick!

Filed Under: Engorgement, Expressing, Latching, Milk Supply Tagged With: Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6

A Calm, Settled Baby In 72 Hours – Here’s How

A Calm, Settled Baby In 72 Hours – Here’s How
Reading Time: 9 minutes

The first three weeks after birth can be tough.

Many mothers struggle with creating a feeding and sleeping routine that works for them (and their baby).

If feed time is a struggle… If your baby won’t sleep unless they’re at the breast… Here comes the good news.

There’s a very easy tweak you can make right now that will create a huge difference for you.

In fact, you can have a calm, settled, happy baby… in just 72 hours!

And that means:

  • No more sleeping at the breast
  • No more feeding sessions that never end (and aren’t productive)
  • Your baby will automatically fall asleep after they feed
  • Your baby will sleep longer and deeper
  • Your baby will be much happier and calmer (which makes everything so much easier!)

Sounds too good to be true? 

Here’s a text message I got last week from a mother who just tried my system:

OMG Loretta! My baby is sleeping!!! Feeding is much better too. No more falling asleep at the breast and I even got some sleep last night!”

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Emotions & Mindset, Timing of Feeds Tagged With: Week 1, Week 2, Week 3

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About Me

Loretta Anderson, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and midwife.

If you are struggling with breastfeeding (or just feeling a bit overwhelmed) – don’t go at it alone. I'm here to help.

Call me now at 0414 403 208 and let’s figure it out together!

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  • ✓ 7 Simple Steps For A Perfect Latch
  • ✓ How To Create A Sleeping Routine From Week 1!
  • ✓ The Truth About Pacifiers 
  • ✓ Pumps – Which Should You Buy?
  • ✓ Everything You Need To Know About  Avoiding Blocked Ducts 
  • ✓ How To Naturally Prevent Nipple Damage And Breast Lumps
  • ✓ And More!

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  • Emotions & Mindset (13)
  • Engorgement (4)
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What Other Mums Say

“Half an hour after calling her, Loretta was at my front door with a calming smile.

The previous two weeks of bf had been an absolute nightmare and I was ready to give up. But after just two hours of Loretta's help and advice, we haven't had a single issue with breastfeeding since!

We are unbelievably grateful for Loretta's continuing support through text and calls. She is quick to help me with any queries at any time. We could not have come this far in our breastfeeding journey without her!

Thank you again Loretta!!”

Kate

“Loretta has been the best lactation consultant I have seen!

If I hadn't called upon her, I would have given up breastfeeding a long time ago.

With Loretta's help, I was able to resolve my milk supply problems, and exclusively breastfeed my baby until he was 14 months old!”

Leanne

“Loretta was the difference between throwing in the towel, and continuing to breastfeed!

Her warm and welcoming personality made a difficult time much better.

She custom-tailored all the information to OUR needs, and after she left, I felt empowered to continue on my breastfeeding journey…

And haven't looked back since!

I can't recommend Loretta highly enough!

If you are considering a lactation consultant Loretta should be at the top of your list!”

Lauren McKey

“I saw you once last year about recurrent clogged duct, and just wanted to say THANK YOU for the fantastic advice!

I've been able to clear all my lumps/clogs since then without it ever reaching full-blown pain stage again!

I really appreciated how you made me feel confident in breastfeeding my son Luke and trusting my instincts.

You are great at what you do!”

Jess Duncan

“I never expected breastfeeding to be so hard at first.

My son couldn't latch properly and I had significant pain while feeding. I knew I wanted to continue breastfeeding but didn't think I would be able to.

I had multiple people try to help me with no luck. Then, just one session with Loretta changed everything!

My son has been breastfed for 12 months now, and still going!!!

All thanks to Loretta's non-judgemental and supportive approach, combined with her knowledge and expertise!”

Gemma

“As first-time parents, we were completely overwhelmed.

All the advice we were getting from people around us only turned up the pressure… Then we met Loretta, and finally, everything felt much more relaxed!

She showed me the best position for baby Cooper and how to latch and get the best results from each feed.

She's incredibly motivating and was a total life-saver for us!

Loretta is amazing! I would absolutely recommend her services.”

Sally

“Loretta was instrumental in making breastfeeding work for our family.

Thanks to her incredible support, breastfeeding is now just an easy and enjoyable part of our daily life!”

Anna Turnbull

“Half an hour after calling her, Loretta was at my front door with a calming smile.

The previous two weeks of bf had been an absolute nightmare and I was ready to give up. But after just two hours of Loretta's help and advice, we haven't had a single issue with breastfeeding since!

We are unbelievably grateful for Loretta's continuing support through text and calls. She is quick to help me with any queries at any time. We could not have come this far in our breastfeeding journey without her!

Thank you again Loretta!!”

Kate

“Loretta has been the best lactation consultant I have seen!

If I hadn't called upon her, I would have given up breastfeeding a long time ago.

With Loretta's help, I was able to resolve my milk supply problems, and exclusively breastfeed my baby until he was 14 months old!”

Leanne

“Loretta was the difference between throwing in the towel, and continuing to breastfeed!

Her warm and welcoming personality made a difficult time much better.

She custom-tailored all the information to OUR needs, and after she left, I felt empowered to continue on my breastfeeding journey…

And haven't looked back since!

I can't recommend Loretta highly enough!

If you are considering a lactation consultant Loretta should be at the top of your list!”

Lauren McKey

“I saw you once last year about recurrent clogged duct, and just wanted to say THANK YOU for the fantastic advice!

I've been able to clear all my lumps/clogs since then without it ever reaching full-blown pain stage again!

I really appreciated how you made me feel confident in breastfeeding my son Luke and trusting my instincts.

You are great at what you do!”

Jess Duncan

“I never expected breastfeeding to be so hard at first.

My son couldn't latch properly and I had significant pain while feeding. I knew I wanted to continue breastfeeding but didn't think I would be able to.

I had multiple people try to help me with no luck. Then, just one session with Loretta changed everything!

My son has been breastfed for 12 months now, and still going!!!

All thanks to Loretta's non-judgemental and supportive approach, combined with her knowledge and expertise!”

Gemma

“As first-time parents, we were completely overwhelmed.

All the advice we were getting from people around us only turned up the pressure… Then we met Loretta, and finally, everything felt much more relaxed!

She showed me the best position for baby Cooper and how to latch and get the best results from each feed.

She's incredibly motivating and was a total life-saver for us!

Loretta is amazing! I would absolutely recommend her services.”

Sally

“Loretta was instrumental in making breastfeeding work for our family.

Thanks to her incredible support, breastfeeding is now just an easy and enjoyable part of our daily life!”

Anna Turnbull

“Half an hour after calling her, Loretta was at my front door with a calming smile.

The previous two weeks of bf had been an absolute nightmare and I was ready to give up. But after just two hours of Loretta's help and advice, we haven't had a single issue with breastfeeding since!

We are unbelievably grateful for Loretta's continuing support through text and calls. She is quick to help me with any queries at any time. We could not have come this far in our breastfeeding journey without her!

Thank you again Loretta!!”

Kate

Free Consultation!

If you are struggling with breastfeeding (or just feeling a bit overwhelmed) – don’t go at it alone. I’m here to help.

Call me now at 0414 403 208 and let’s figure it out together! (Prefer text? Message me on WhatsApp!)

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