Feedings

How long does it take your baby to eat?  Emma never really did nurse for long periods, but she always nursed frequently.  I had supply issues (prior to taking More Milk Plus) and still offer her a small amount of formula two times a day.  She's been growing very well, and is up 5lbs and 5inches from her birth weight and length.  She is wetting enough and pooping once a day.  She is content after nursing, but I'm worried she's not getting enough.  I don't feel as engorged as I used to and she nurses for less time than she used to.  It's a really short time, like 5 minutes and she's done.  She does nurse about an hour or so later when she gets tired and wants to nap.  Does this seem normal?  It try to offer formula in case she isn't getting enough at the breast, but she refuses it.  I should just trust her, right?  I am so afraid that she isn't getting enough!

You sound just the same as me, a normal mother having BF issues as to whether or not you are satisfying your baby. It sounds like you are doing just great. Your baby is wet and dirty, she appears content most of the time and she is growing and gaining weight. It doesn't sound like you need to offer formula, stop doubting your own body. I too was just the same and some days feel I am deflated and don't have enough to feed him so in the past have supplemented with formula when I probably shouldn't, he too is gaining weight. Your baby is the same as mine, a little and often feeder and when I read of others who's babies were feeding for like 45 mins I was like are you serious? I must be doing something wrong but I am not. He feeds at my breast for anything between 5-15 minutes depending on how hungry he is, I just go with the flow and drink my water to aid supply. Your body is at the stage where it evens out the milk supply for the on demand requests of your baby so the more you feed the more it will supply. I spoke to a lactation consultant and read many articles where babies can become fussy on the breast at certain growth spurt times during there first year. She also said that the 11 week mark is when alot of women give up as their milk supply levels off and they no longer feel the full breast they had been doing. I know it is strange but I too am at that stage, just keep going and listen to your body and your baby, if she doesn't want the formula then you are doing enough. It won't be long before they have solids and then you will just top up with milk. You sound like you are doing just great. Good luck and HTH.xx

Thank you so much for the support!  I know if my post was written by anyone else, I would offer the same words of encouragement that you gave to me. It's just so much easier to tell other moms and trust that everything is fine with their nursing relationship, but so hard to trust my own body!  I will absolutely not be giving up any time soon...I nursed my second son for 19 months and it was 1000x harder for me to continue bfing him in those early weeks than it is now.  Things are going better this time around but I still doubt myself.

Do you notice that some days you seem to have more milk than others?  I can't tell for sure, of course, but it seems like some days the milk is overflowing and other days it feels like it's barely there at all.  I do tend to have tons of milk for the middle of the night and early morning feedings and then it gets less and less as the day goes on. I wish I could have tons of milk all day long!  I feel like everyone else has loads of milk all the time and I'm the only one who is like this.  Thanks again for your support...it really helps to hear that there are other babies who only spend a few minutes nursing and are content and growing well!

Im going through this too! Your body is just going with what your baby is doing. The PP worded it perfectly!! I am so full at night and first thing in the morning but now at almost 10pm i am completely deflated!! But by the time 2am comes around they will be full to bursting point again! She also only feeds for short periods of time 5-20 mins, then may want more an hour or so later. I hope we have helped and stopped you worrying so much, sounds like your little girl is doing great

 

Dont worry at all... ds2 also has very much the same case. I had the same worry few weeks back... since I was comparing him with ds1. Ds1 used to be feeding for longer time and ds2 finishes his feeds in like 5 min or lesser... Doc said nothing to worry - as long as there are lots of wet diapers he is getting his required amt of feed. If he is hungry he will wail n ask for it...lol