In my work as a postpartum doula, I have noticed that about half an hour
after a feeding babies often start crying and seeming really upset even
though they seemed to have had a good feeding. Then they fall asleep and
stay asleep until the next feeding. This seems to be something babies do,
they get over tired or they don't know how to put themselves to sleep
without crying and being fussy for a few minutes first. Some mothers doubt
their milk supply at this point and put the baby back to breast only to have
him take a couple of sucks and fall asleep, then she spends some time trying
to get him to eat more so she can get a break. I think many babies that are
gaining rapidly and spit up frequently are overfed and put back on the
breast when they are full, when they really just want to be carried til they
fall asleep. You can usually tell by their behavior when you do offer them
the breast again, eventually you see the pattern.
Vicky York, IBCLC, CPD
Postpartum doula
Portland, OR

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