Sudden 'fluffing around' on the breast?

[Marley&Me]

Completely. Bubs is still getting used to feeding. A full belly = a sleepy baby. And sleep promotes sleep.
Is bubs only doing this when you have woken her? She may not be hungry, thus leading to the stuffing around.
My DD from the day of birth, sleeps at least 6-7 hrs a night. Middies told me to wake her as well but then others said leave her when she's hungry she scream for it.

Yes, it's mainly when I have woken her. The MW and health nurses all said don't let her go over 5 hours without a feed so if she sleeps good I have to wake her maybe I'll let her go next time. Will anything happen?

I have been feeding from one side then doing a nappy change and burp, then feeding the other side. It's always the second side that she fluffs around on.

[Jaycee]

Perhaps she's full from the first side if it's only the second side she's fussing on?

I wouldn't go more than 5 hours without a feed at this age, more so for building your supply than anything.

[little_O]

What the midwives would also be worried about is low sugar in the baby. A sign of a baby with low sugar and not getting enough milk is them sleeping for ages and ages and being hard to rouse.

But if she is only doing it at night I wouldn't think it's so much of an issue. How has she been when weighed? Is she back to birth weight?

[HotI]

If it's only the second side, maybe she is full and doesn't need it? Or needs a break before she is ready for it.

Both mine only took one side for a few months.

[Saffy]

two sleeps of 5 hours seems too long for a 12day old to me.... how many feeds is she getting in 24hrs and what is her output in 24 hours? Are you still topping up?

[Heaven]

I would think she's too full if she's only doing it on the second side. She only has a tiny tummy and may only need one side. My girls would only take a little (or none) from the second side at that age. How is her weight gain?

[onthefly]

Hi Tasha,
Are you confident she's getting plenty of milk? It is normal to feed 8-12 times in 24 hours (if not even more), have 4+ heavy wet nappies and 2+ poos per day, as well as gaining weight and growing. You can also look at her appearance - good skin tone, etc - and demeanour - so being alert and happy when awake at least some of the time.

It may be that she's had enough after one side, in which case it's fine to just follow her lead. She might be interested in a little top up feed at the second breast 20-30 minutes after the main feed, also, so if you're not sure whether she's getting enough you could try that, too.

Some babies will have long stretches of sleep and do fine, but for some this is a sign of potential trouble as they are sleeping to conserve energy and not demanding to feed quite often enough. It can happen that they sort of cruise through for the first 4-6 weeks, then start showing signs of insufficient intake of milk. Meanwhile, mum may not have been feeding often enough to build up a good supply. This is why you may be recommended to wake and feed your baby more often if baby is getting fewer than 8 feeds in 24 hours and/or you're not getting all the signs of good intake.

Hope things are settling down for you.