JennyLynn512

Valerie is solely breastfed and she is a wonderful eater. Up until now, she usually takes one side for about 15-20 minutes and sometimes the other side for a topper of 5-7 minutes. She was doing this every three hours. Recently though, she has been feeding every two hours and only going about 10 minutes on one side and 3-5 on the other. Is this normal for her to change like this? I'm still getting enough wet/dirty diapers, but she doesn't seem satisfied as long as she only waits two hours in between feedings now. She sleeps great though and looks content.

sam's mum

She could be more efficient at getting the milk out now, so she's not needing to be on each side for as long. Could also be going through a bit of a growth spurt - they usually have one at about 6 weeks - so she'll want fed more often for a few days until your milk supply increases, then it should settle down a bit. I had about a week when Sam was 6 weeks old where I just seemed to be feeding him constantly! It soon got better again though, and he'd go longer between feeds.

As long as she's gaining weight well and you're getting enough wet and dirty nappies you don't need to worry x

Margerle

Even if she's not gaining weight right now, but she's content and hydrated (as seen by the diapers) she's doing great. Remember BF babies have a couple of weight gain plateaus that formula fed babies don't have, that's why it's important for your pediatrician to be using a bf baby growth chart rather than the 'regular' one (or just realize a bf baby has these growth plateaus.)

sam's mum

Thanks for that - Sam had one of these and my HV acted as if something was seriously wrong! Really worried me as he'd been gaining weight well since birth and suddenly she was concerned about him and suggesting topping up with formula (I'd had no worries about the feeding before then as he always seemed so content but I was so stressed about not giving him enough). I assumed it was because he was 8lb 13oz at birth and OH and I are both quite small. He's been fine since then too...shouldn't these people know stuff like that??!!

Sorry for ranting on your thread JennyLynn x

Ragirl

I agree with the other two- I'm betting growth spurt is coming and she's getting your supply up. The lack of support (for lack of a better word) for bfing by some peds annoys me. You would think they would know these things. And all too often they seem so quick to suggest you give them formula. It really aggravates me at times.

JennyLynn512

I have come to find this out, also! My cousin had a boy last year and the pediatrician just pushed every chance he could get to have her top off with formula because according to the growth charts he was small. But he was content, had enough wet/dirty diapers, and was very healthy. She eventually gave in and started topping him off and the poor boy became confused with the different nipples and her milk dried up. Why are doctors like this?

sam's mum

It's awful isn't it? I'm glad I had the support of people on here to stop me from stressing! And now his weight is fine - slightly below average on the normal growth charts but he's obviously happy so I'm not going to let them stress me out again! I think you know better than anyone if your baby is doing ok x

Ragirl

I agree- mom knows best!! It seems like you can't win either- some bf babies are just full of rolls and fat from all that good food and then the mom's are told they need to put baby on a diet and switch to formula! Bosh, I say!!! If baby is happy, I'm happy. I was told when my son was one day old (we were in hospital still), that feeding every 30-45 minutes was too often and I needed to make him wait 2 hours!?!?!?!?! I'm sorry, but at a day old, I'm not going to make him scream in hunger for 1 1/2 hrs because you think he should! I think he knows better than anyone when he needs to eat and I think all that nursing is what helped my milk come in so quick. (Sorry to hijack your thread for my rant)