Funny you should mention this Barb...

In the last couple of hours DD has woken up had a 15 min feed (on one boob) and gone back to sleep. Then an hour or two later... woken up and had another 15 minute feed and gone back to sleep again.
This is REALLY unusual for her. Normally she will suck for ages... then I swap boobs, and same again on the other side... then when she's finished with the boobs... she cries out and sucks her hand and seems really hungry. Whens she pulls off the boob I will squeeze the nipple - and no milk comes. And I wonder how long she has been sucking with no milk.

I guess I'm in a catch 22. With a very active 18mo and a business to run... it has been an absolute blessing to have a little one who sleeps for such long periods. But it is she that is changing her habits at the moment and sleeping shorter and feeding more often. I'm just going with the flow at the moment.

I can keep trying with the dummy... but if she is sleeping well without it, then I won't push too hard with it. I've never thought of it "helping" with the breastfeeding. It seems that most people say "no dummy - it causes nipple confusion (?)". But she's had an occassional bottle since day 3, and that hasn't deterred her from the boobies.

Thanks again for your advice Barb. It's much appreciated.

and yes Liz... I'm really pleased.