DD has always been a quick breast feeder, even in the first week (rarely staying on for more than 20 minutes each side). She is starting to have even shorter feeds - I really struggle to keep her on each breast for 10 minutes at the moment. She will often pull away after 5. Sometimes she falls asleep but often she is wide awake and is just not interested.
She has been gaining about 300g per week, has a lot of wet and poo nappies and is content most of the time, so I am trying to tell myself it is all ok, but it seems to be getting worse (yesterday she didn't spend much time feeding at all). As a result, I am constantly offering her the breast in a hope that she will feed more. I am not keen on doing this as I don't want to encourage snack-feeding. I am also really concerned about losing my supply but can't express because I never feel like she has had a good feed (incase she suddenly decides she is hungry straight after an express).
Is this normal? How can I get her into a better feeding pattern? Is my supply at risk?
Maybe she's just getting better at it and needs to feed for shorter periods because she's become so efficient at getting what she needs in that short period of time?
It's not getting worse, she's just getting more efficient. Some babies are really fast feeders. Sounds like she's doing wonderfully!
It is confusing when your second child is different (I'm assuming your boy spent longer at the breast?) My DS fed for aaaaages, my DD was on and off within 10 minutes from birth. Now she's done in a few minutes.
As MM says, she must be doing ok with those weight gains. I think you can probably let her lead rather than trying to offer all the time, sounds like she's got the hang of feedign quite well. Just watch the nappies, they're your first indicator of a drop in supply. Your supply should be fine as long as she feeds according to her need - you make what she takes out.
Gosh, i hope the next one is a quick feeder!! My DD spent over 2 hours on the breast and then I had an hour break and was back at it. It was exhausting!!
My baby does the same. She has never fed for 20mins unless she is comfort sucking which is only enough to stop it the nipple falling out of her mouth. A normal feed is only 2-4mins. She is definately a snacker. No advice but interested in seeing what others suggest. My paed who saw us recently actually commented on her doing it due to a reflux thing. Does your bub show any signs of reflux?
I have been thinking that maybe she is just an efficient feeder, but when several people comment on the speed in which she feeds (including nurses), then I suppose you do question it a bit? My milk was really slow to come in and even when she was comp-fed formula in bottles, she used to scoff them down in no time at all!
I tried to BF DS, but he had tongue-tie and a very week neck, so he just couldn't latch and we ended up doing formula. As a result, I am a real newbie at the whole BF gig - hence all the questions - I have absolutely no frame of reference.
I suppose what has really prompted me to post is that, as a result of the above issues, I am walking around with really full breasts the whole time. Often she will only feed from one too, which makes it worse. It isn't painful, but clearly I am making more milk than she needs, which made me wonder about losing some supply.
MM, i hope your next one is quicker - I don't know what I would do with my 21 month old if I was feeding for that long!
Thanks again, you have all put my mind at ease and I appreciate it
ETA: Re the reflux thing, it has entered my mind that it could be the reason, but her symptoms aren't consistent enough for me to think that it is. She sometimes really fusses on the breast, and other times not. She also doesn't spit up that much and usually seems pretty content straight after a feed.
If reflux, she'd be more likely to feed very frequently and would be pretty unsettled too.
IT is quite normal for brand new babies to spend a lot of time at the breast, but soe babies are quicker. Just luck of the draw. They all get quicker in time (relatively speaking). Then sometimes they want to spend more time there and sometimes they just want a quick feed adn they're off again.
It does sound like you have an oversupply. Do you block feed at all? (keep feeding from same side till it's empty) If you follow her lead and let her feed as and when she wants then your supply situation should sort itself out. It is still quite early days forthe both of you.
Anyway sounds like she's doing very well.
I feed from one side until she pulls off or until her suck/swallow slows down a lot. Then I will offer her the second breast (which she only tends to take on the odd occasion when she cluster feeds some afternoons). Otherwise it is often just one side and then the other side at the next feed because she seems satisfied with just the one (often I don't even feel like she has properly drained the one side). It is all so confusing - I am waiting for her to wake up because I now feel like I am going to explode on the side that she hasn't touched for 6 hours!
You might want to try. Give the ABA a call - 1800-686-2-686 - THey'll be able to talk you through all this, might be easier for you.
Basically you feed on the same side till it's empty, then switch (so might be 2 feeds per side, or whatever). But you need to keep an eye on the other side and express a little for comfort and to remove any lumps.
Are you still on Motillium? Not sure how it works but if you are could it be increasing your supply above what she needs, so you're still feeling full even when she's satisfied?
Yeah, I am still on Motillium, and was planning on discussing weaning off it with my OB at next week's appointment. Perhaps I need to hasten that - it is a bit hard because it took forever to build up my supply and now I don't want to mess with it.
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Very short feeds a supply risk?
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