Changed feeding pattern again !!

Hi

Looking for just a little bit more advice please. Just to make sure that he is keeping me on my toes little Sam has changed his feeding pattern again. Just need to know if what he is now doing is something I need to be concerned about.

He had recently dramatically cut down the amount of time on the breast (probably 5-8 mins on 1st breast and 3-5 mins on 2nd max0 which I understand is perfectly normal for his age. Was okay with this as he was sucking strongly for the time he was on. However over the last few days his sucking appears to have become less strong on a number of feeds. I guess I have questions on this on two levels - is this okay/normal and will he still be getting enough and will it have any impact on my supply if the stimulation is being reduced?

Am trying hard to follow what he wants to do and accept that he knows what he wants /needs but wonder if given all the issues we had from day 1 if he does know what he needs or not?

Today for example he woke at 4.50am (unusual for him as normally goes through to 7am). Fed 6/7 mins each side good sucking. Back to sleep and then woke again at 8.30am did about 7 mins on one side and only 2 on the other okayish suck. Changed and re-offered but wouldn't take any more. Had play and reoffered 2nd breast again before I put him down to sleep at 9.45am when he did 5 mins good sucking. Slept until 11.30am and tried to feed again but this time he only did a 2-3 mins of sucking on either side but this was not strong sucking. Left him for 30 mins and tried again - still not interested and same story when I tried another 15 mins later. (He just pushes back from breast if you try to put him on when he doesn't want to go on). We were then out and he started grizzling slightly. This was 2pm so tried to feed again. This feed was good 10 mins on 1st side and 5 mins on 2nd mainly strong sucking. This afternoon feed is the one where I give him a top up so he took just over 100mls. He then fed again at 5.40pm when we came home. Did 5 mins each side with again mainly strong sucking. Had play and reoffered not interested. After bath say 6.45pm I tried re-offering but he again refused to go on so went down and is still asleep. I will be waking him at 10pm for his normal night feed.

So basically some feeds he sucks stronger than others. He also makes it pretty clear when he doesn't want to go on. Stiffens his body and just pushes away from the breast. He very rarely gives me a clue that he might want feeding. I "may" get some mouthing but not every time so I am just offering on the chance that he may want it.

I guess my questions would be.

Do I need to be concerned / do anything on the feeds where he doesn't appear to feed that strongly?
Does the pattern of offerings/feeds above appear to be enough.
Should I have woken him between when he went to sleep at now for a feed given what he had had earlier today?
Is there anything else that I should be looking at doing?

Thanks again

It can be so confusing can't it! What you are describing does sound quite normal for that age. It often seems like they couldn't possibly get enough but often it is surprising how much they drink in a short time.

If he is having at least 5 heavily wet nappies in 24 hours, that's a really good sign that he is getting enough. And if he is getting enough, then he will be providing your nipples with enough stimulation to make the amount of milk he needs.

So it all sounds good to me hun.