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So DD was born almost 3 weeks ago, and we are successfully breastfeeding! Yay! I was so worried it was going to go pear shaped like with DS (we never established bfing due to many reasons)
Anyway just a question.. She feeds for literally 5-10 minutes and then she's done. Boob feels empty and squishy. Midwife said to always offer other side but she won't take it anyway. Is it common for babies to feed quite quickly?
Some babies/boobs are able to do it that quickly - it's amazing how efficient it can be :)
It could also be down to how small she is right now, her stomach's not that big so she doesn't need as much to fill her up :)
In either case, it sounds line you're doing a great job. Pity those of us who sit for close to an hour per feed :lol:
Don't know about common, but I had a baby hoover too! DD would take up to an hour to feed for at least her first 8 weeks. DS could empty a boob in 5-10 minutes flat, from birth. He gained weight beautifully and had plenty of wet nappies so was clearly getting enough... just quickly! I guess that'll provide your answer - if she's gaining weight, she's just an efficient little feeder.
Congrats on getting BF established! Best and blessings for a beautiful feeding journey together. xo
Both mine are/were hoovers, but especially DD2. Fwiw I've very rarely in the time I've breastfed needed to offer a second boob. Sounds fine to me. The evidence will be in her weight gains and nappies, which I'm sure will both be fine :)
Thank you both. Yes I think she is just a Hoover. She is getting chubby and lots of wees and poos.
At one point I was offering same side 2 feeds in a row, if they were closish together thinking she might not be emptying it but other side would get way too full. So I went back to switching each time and no blocked ducts and she seems full so I'm gonna roll with it. :)
Yep, sounds perfect. As long as her output is good and she is content then theres no need to worry.
It was 3 hours here! No exaggeration!
Thanks PZ. That's great to hear that you don't have to offer other side. Makes me feel way better!
Mummajj my DD did that, fed quickly and only ever took one side at a time- right up to about 9 months. Very normal. It means bubba is a clever little feeder. :)
Sounds like things are going a bit better this time! They're all different. Are you familiar with what to watch to tel lwhether she's getting enough? That's the best way to know.
every baby is different. But just watch her wees and poos, and if she is gaining weight and you will soon know =)
I've never had to give Spock the 2nd side either. but she will happily comfort suck for hours on me.
Oh madb, things r so much better!! I'm really enjoying this newborn phase and everything seems so calm compared to when DS was a bub. I love that I can make her content and keep her happy. I love that she doesn't have a sore tummy after feeding. One of the hardest things with not being able to Bf my son was watching how upset he got with formula in the early days.it just didnt agree with him.
To answer ur question though, wet nappies,lots of poos,looking drunk after a feed? And obviously weight gain. are there any other tell tale signs? When will I be producing the correct amount of milk for her, instead of having possibly too much? And how do I knowif she's emptying a boob?
Sorry, so many questions!
My boys have been polar opposites.
DS1 would take anything from 45 minutes to 90 minutes (seriously) to feed.
DS2 was wham bam thank you ma'am 10 minutes and time out.
If she's full, and you're not, then it's all good.
Go by her demeanour, your boobs, your instincts and her wet nappies. :)
Well done mummajj! It's such a great feeling to have feeding going well after a difficult experience first time around. It is likely that you will have too much milk in the first few weeks, many mums do. But it settles down to meet your baby's demand once the post-natal hormones ease off. Just keep doing what you are doing, if it's going well there's no need to change anything :)
My dd would feed for an hr or more and my ds is 2 months old and has always taken 5-10mins, I thought the same thing but he gains on average 400-500 grams a week.
Sounds like you're doing perfect! Don't change a thing unless you have to :)
My DD2 was a very quick feeder too. However, if your DD stops gaining or you're worried about your supply, you can always offer the second breast a short time later (eg after they've have some nappy free time or a play or whatever). Also, allowing her to comfort suck at the end of the feed, especially in these early months, will help establish your supply and is awesome for bonding for both of you. :)
Re knowing when she is emptying a boob - watch the suck pattern. When the let-down happens the baby will do a rhythmic suck-swallow pattern...as the feed progresses this changes to a slower suck suck suck suck (pause).
Thank you marydean, I let her comfort suck. But I wondered whether it was a good or bad thing to do. I will continue to let her :)
Comfort sucking is very good indeed! :)