At the end of the feed, you will notice your baby 'flutter sucking' with occasional swallows and this is actually when he/ she gets the fattiest bit of the feed which is essential. So don't interrupt your baby when he/ she gets to this stage as it's essential for gaining weight well.
Flutter sucking is a form of comfort nursing but is a term usually reserved for the pattern of light fluttery sucking with few swallows seen at the end of a breastfeed. Some mothers are being told that flutter sucking is when their baby is getting all the higher fat milk.
Your baby is exhibiting a reflex.
The arm movement involved in “hitting” might be a reflexive motion that your baby is exhibiting, and the soothing and calming nature of breastfeeding might enable your little one to relax so much he doesn't realize he's engaging in the reflexive motion.
Baby flutters are a good sign of the health and vitality of the growing fetus. Baby flutters may start very early, or they may not be noticeable until well after week 20. Once the fetus's movements become regular and stronger, they can help a woman monitor the health of the developing baby.
As long as your baby is growing and gaining weight, you can be sure she is getting enough milk. If it is just a strong desire for non-nutritive sucking, you can put your baby to the breast as often as your baby wants to nurse. Comfort nursing will not harm your child.
You can easily get into this habit, especially if you aren't sure if your baby is eating or just nursing or if you just want to comfort your baby quickly. Your baby is only nursing for comfort nursing when you see these signs: Flutter sucking, slowing down, stop sucking, or making little sucks.
Check how your baby is sucking
If he latches on well and takes long, drawn out pulls, then he's likely hungry and actually eating. But if his sucking motion is shorter and shallower, then he's probably sucking for comfort. You can also check whether he's swallowing the milk.
Babies cluster feed for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it is for comfort. But often it is because they are growing and they need more milk.
While smaller babies may simply nurse without many distractions, older ones may start “playing” with your breasts, grabbing your nose, pulling at your shirt, twirling your hair, or performing acrobatics when breastfeeding. All of these behaviors are completely normal for more mobile babies.
If your newborn baby is particularly squirmy and grunts while breastfeeding, it might be simply that she needs to burp. It could also be a warning that she's about to give you an extra job to do. Watch out for a 'pooplosion'! Babies soon let you know what is bothering them.
Fast letdown
You can imagine how a fast flow of milk can make for an uncomfortable and even frustrating feeding for your baby. She likely unlatches so she doesn't have to suck all the milk that's coming out at once. If you suspect that a fast let-down could be the culprit, try pumping a few minutes before feeding.
Babies have to coordinate sucking, swallowing and breathing during breastfeeding and, when the flow of milk is very fast, they may find feeding quite stressful causing them to be restless and keep releasing the breast to prioritise their breathing.
Some of these causes are easy to identify and remedy while others may require the help of a specialist or may go unidentified until the baby “grows out of the issue.” Three of the most common reasons for post-feeding fussiness include gas, reflux, and intolerance.
The Basics of Breastfeeding
Breast milk has three different and distinct stages: colostrum, transitional milk, and mature milk. Colostrum is the first stage of breast milk. It occurs during pregnancy and lasts for several days after the birth of the baby.
Babies should be fed before they get upset and cry. Crying is a late sign of hunger. But every time your baby cries is not because of hunger. Sometimes babies just need to be cuddled or changed.
Dry nursing, or comfort nursing, is a process in which an infant or toddler engages in the act of sucking without consuming any breast milk or formula. This practice has been observed in many cultures for centuries and is often used to provide comfort, security, and bonding between a mum and the baby.
Kissing your baby will change your breast milk
When you kiss your baby, you are sampling the pathogens on her skin, which are then transferred to your lymphatic system where you will produce antibodies to any bugs. These antibodies will then pass through your breast milk to your baby and boost her immune system.
Again, Is My Baby Eating or Using Me as a Pacifier? Your little one may continue to suck for a variety of reasons beyond hunger including sucking to calm themselves, or because they like the closeness and warmth of being near mom.
For breast-fed babies, feed if more than 1½ hours since the last feeding. Be careful not to feed your baby every time she cries. Some babies cry because of a bloated stomach from overfeeding.
Most babies nurse to sleep and wake 1-3 times during the night for the first year or so. Some babies don't do this, but they are the exception, not the rule. Many children, if given the choice, prefer to nurse to sleep through the second year and beyond.