thread: Really short breastfeeds???

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Apr 2008
    4,427

    Really short breastfeeds???

    I am a little bit worried that DD doesnt feed for very long.

    She is putting on weight so that is good but seriously the duration of her feeds are really short like sometimes only 5minutes, maximum 10minutes!!! She also does plenty of dirty and wet nappies. She poo's almost after every feed and it is the mustard colour with little globules so I think that is right. She is feeding every 2.5- 3hours during the day.

    At night she has a feed at 6:30pm, sleeps until 11:30-12ish and then is feeding every 2.5 sometimes 3 hours after that.

    I cant even remember the last time we had a feed for over 15minutes.

    She only feeds from one side per feed and there is plenty of milk! I have a massive supply.

    I find towards the end of the feed she starts to pull off and kick her legs around, and get upset as it is like she wants to suck for comfort and doesnt want the milk to come out but it always does.

    I have been putting the dummy in when she gets like this and as soon as it is in, she drifts off to sleep sucking on the dummy. Is this bad? I try to offer the breast again but she is just the same with it.

    Also does anyone else have a baby that feeds really quickly?

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Mar 2007
    6,979

    Yes, yes and yes!! I could have almost written that same post

    It's all very normal! They get really fast at drinking! DD feeds in just 5-10mins here too and only one side usually! Sometimes I offer both sides. But usually she's had enough!
    It's great hey! Compared to the early weeks when she'd take up to an hour!!!

    eta - my DD likes to comfort suck on my nipple afterwards too! And cracks up if i take her off even though she's finished feeding she's just comfort sucking I have tried a dummy but she won't take one! So you're lucky your DD takes one! however I don't mind cos its a habit I don't need to worry about breaking later on I guess.

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Apr 2008
    4,427

    Oh thanks so much Ren, thank goodness she isnt the only one! It is a far change from the early days although she has always been quite quick. But this getting frustrated thing is all new over the last week.

    ETA- I love love love the photo of Ava in your ticker! SO cute!!!

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Oct 2007
    Brissy
    2,208

    DD2 still has super short feeds - and almost always just one side! Shes completely different to what DD1 was
    So youre not the only one

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Sep 2008
    SE suburbs of Melbourne
    197

    I've found the same thing with my ds, for the past few days I've been noticing his feeding habits have changed from 15-20 minutes down to 5-10 max! and at first I thought he'd just fallen asleep without finishing as I still feel like I've got plenty of milk but he had gone a whole 3-4 hours between 'meals'

  6. #6
    BellyBelly Member

    Oct 2007
    Ever so slowly going crazy...
    2,268

    Completely normal babe!!
    I'm lucky if H takes a full 5 min! And only one side a feed here too...

    When they say it gets much much easier for most women, they weren't wrong!!
    Harmony also comfort sucks, but doesn't want the milk. She just pulls off to the end of my nipple to do it, cheeky monkey!!

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Aug 2008
    Narre Warren
    155

    Hi,
    my DS also feeds REALLY quickly. He feeds five minutes on one side and is done. In the early evening he feeds for five min then comfort sucks for about 10min which I don't mind as he feeds so quickly the rest of the day. I was worried that he was too quick but he is packing on weight so I can relax and enjoy!
    :O)

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Mar 2007
    6,900

    Ali, that post sounds EXACTLY like my DD, all of it. The feeding and sleeping. I can't believe how fast she is now either and always wonder if she's really finished or not.

  9. #9
    Registered User
    Add Sterla on Facebook

    Jun 2008
    Tasmania
    3,011

    Yup, completely normal Ali! Bubs get really efficient at feeding after awhile! My DS usually only feeds off one side as well. Sometimes I offer the second side, but sometimes I think he only takes it cause it's there, or for comfort, rather than because he's hungry.

    As long as your DD is gaining, giving you lots of wet and dirty nappies and is content between feeds, then all is fine . Sounds like you know what to look out for - well done mummy Ali!

  10. #10
    Registered User

    Mar 2008
    WA
    116

    i wish dd was that quick!!! shes started taking both sides so feeds can take 20 min to 30 min at the moment. longer if shes comfort sucking...

  11. #11
    Registered User

    Nov 2004
    Melbourne VIC
    1,733

    Alibaby, I could have written that exact same post as well. DS has been getting frustrated for the last week or so and keeps pulling himself off the breast and crying after just a few minutes. I have plenty of milk so I know he's getting something, but I was starting to get worried he wasn't feeding for long.
    I always offer the second side, sometimes he will suck for a minute or two and other times he doesn't want any at all. DS's sleeping habits sound the same as your DD's as well. I'm just relieved to know it is normal.

  12. #12
    Life Subscriber

    Jul 2006
    Brisbane
    6,683

    DS1 only ever fed for 5 minutes at a time - even as a newborn. And he was putting on 400g a week in the beginning so he was getting enough. As long as there are plenty of wet nappies and weight gain is ok, then I wouldn't be worried - sounds like a quick eater!