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Maybe he wants to comfort nurse but not get more milk because his belly is already full. That would explain him giving you nursing cues but pushing away at the breast. Since he's gaining and wetting diapers well I doubt it's a feeding issue and more of a comfort thing that he'll likely just have to get used to...you can nurse whenever you want but the milk is always there even if you just want to suck for comfort kind of thing...

That's great weight gain. Could it be something else like gas? My LO has always been obsessed with her hands and still gnaws on them constantly, so I don't think you can assume that he's hungry just because of that. I would talk to your ped or an LC. You have to do what's best for you, but I would not quit breastfeeding over this. It's so hard in the beginning!! I totally agree with @Beyond2. FF may seem easier now, but you have no idea how nice it is to not have to make bottles in the middle of the night.

@Ash: I have the same scenario with S. I've learned a couple of things in the past few weeks. 1. He is super into comfort sucking. Either his hands or a paci or my breasts. 2. Letting him
Comfort suck on me after he has a full belly makes his reflux/spitting worse later on because he over fills.
I've started endin his nursing sessions at a couple of signs.... When he takes a really long time between sucking, when my breasts feel empty, and when he clamps down and changes his latch in an attemp to suck without getting much milk. He gets fussy and pulls off pissed when it keeps flowing!

People always say to me that he must be hungry because he's always sucking on his hands. He's a slobber machine!
His weight gain is huge and he has no shortage of diapers. I also assume if he actually is hungry he will let me know sooner than normal.

Good luck!

@Ash: If he is gaining I think you're in the clear. Ill give you encouragement that I swear it gets easier!! I know that lots of times newborns are just as fussy if not fussier switched to formula anyways - hang in there

@Ash: does your LO take a paci? Such good weight gain would suggest you have plenty of milk so he might just be a "sucky" baby

Hang in there mama, you're doing great!!

He's gaining really well, so I don't think he's hungry. I think it's just normal. Newborns are often super-cranky and 6-8 weeks is the peak of it. Hang in there, it should start to get better in a few weeks (which, I know, feels like an eternity).

@Ash: no advice but big hugs.

@Ash: Talk to the LC and your doctor as well. That last line makes my heart hurt for you.

In my opinion, things are normal for a 1 month old and it is hard when you aren't getting sleep etc.

Leave some formula (if you aren't opposed, or pumped milk) with a friend (or daddy) and take some time to yourself. Go for coffee with another friend or on a walk or something. Heck, just take a nap or a shower.

@Ash, I feel the same way a lot. And coincidentally, DS ended up doing this exact thing a couple hours ago. I breastfed him for IDK how long from both sides, and he was fussing/screaming and not latching on, but still acting hungry. I got frustrated and handed him to DH to get swaddled. DH swaddled him and since he still seemed hungry and I was tired of dealing with it, he gave him a bottle of pumped milk. Ended up doing the trick and he's sleeping now. Hopefully he lets us get through dinner...

@Ash: You got this, lady! I still stand by the "happy momma=happy baby," but if you're committed to BFing, this rough patch is nothing!! I'm not sure we're much help, but I usually just set up camp on the couch and nurse...all day. LO loooves to comfort suck as well, so the amount of time with a baby stuck to my boob is high! She'll also do the fussy thing, and we'll typically just sit her up until she decides she wants more.

@Ash: A couple of things come to mind...

He is just coming up on the 4 week growth spurt and first wonder leap. I always see an increase in this sort of behavior around these times with my kiddos then it evens out.

How is your supply? Any chance you have an oversupply or forceful let down? Do you spray milk at all when he pops off? That can cause baby to act like this (I'm assuming no low supply issues since he's gaining and having enough diapers).

Comfort nursing for sure. Babies love to suck Will he take a pacifier instead after being full? DS would (he also comfort nursed a lot) but DD will have nothing to do with one and she sometimes sucks her hands.

And just the experience I have had with my kids and please take this with a grain of salt since we now know they both have had at least MSPI but....we see this behavior with reflux and their allergy/intolerance issues. Removing the bad foods or getting the reflux sorted out usually helped. Any other signs that either of these things might be happening?

You are doing great and whatever you decide it's the right decision for you and LO. BFing can be hard at times, but working past the hurdles can be so worth it!

You got lots of good suggestions, I second trying a paci if he seems to just want to suck. Chewing hands is super normal and not necessarily a sign of hunger!

@Ash: totally agree with@scg00387!! A baby who is hungry will let you know!!! Sucking is soothing for babies, which is why their hands, pacis, and boobs all are comforting! Might he be tried at those times? I found that when Lo started fussing after eating around 6 weeks, it was actually bc he was tired not still hungry. It is so hard in the early days but try to e gentle with yourself and know that these hard times shall pass!

@jetsa: I promise!! Now he is 13m and we are at 3x a day soon to go to morning and night but right now he is sick as a dog while we are out of town and I am so glad he's still nursing because he won't eat any food and is so miserable :('

@jetsa: I certainly don't want to thread jack, but I can't tell you how many times I've marveled at how different and easy nursing was after the 6 month mark (and I had it pretty easy before that as well).