In the first few weeks, babies tend to fall asleep at the breast when the flow of milk slows down. This slowing of the flow occurs earlier in the feeding if the baby is not latched on well. A baby who has a less-than-good latch but whose mother has an abundant supply can gain well, but he really depends on the milk ejection (letdown) reflex in order to get milk. The baby will suck and sleep and suck, without getting large quantities once the initial rapid flow diminishes but if the mother has more milk ejection reflexes, he will drink some more, even half asleep. Once the baby is older, however, some may pull away from the breast when the flow slows down, often within minutes of starting the feeding (Actually some do this from very early on, some never do this, and some do a combination of sleeping and pulling away from the breast depending probably on how hungry they are or their mood). This is more likely to occur when babies have received bottles from early on, but can also occur even without the baby’s having received bottles. When this pulling occurs, most mothers will probably put the baby over to the other side but then the same thing happens. The baby may still be hungry and may refuse to take the breast again, preferring to suck his hand. He won’t get those extra milk ejection reflexes (letdown reflexes) that he would have gotten if he had stayed longer at the breast. So, the baby drinks less and the supply also decreases because he drinks less and the flow slows even earlier in the feeding (because there is less milk) and a vicious circle has started. It doesn’t always happen this way and many babies may gain weight well even if they do spend only a short period of time on the breast. They may still pull off the breast and suck their hands because they want more sucking (which is pleasurable for them) but if their weight gain is good, there is no need for concern. Still, it’s nice to have a baby breastfeed without pulling at the breast.