Breastfeeding on demand

[mellmumma]

So I'm pretty sure I know the answer, but feel I need some reassurance please.

I have a beautiful baby boy (first baby) who will be 4 weeks old on monday.

I have been exclusively breastfeeding 'on demand' quite literally. He has taken to it really well and I've been so pleased with that.

His birth weight was 7lb11, he lost 100g in first few days but by following week was up to 7lb15. Just been to have him weighed two weeks later and he is now 10lb1! So he has gained 2lb 2oz in 14 days!

He feeds so much in the daytimes, as he always seems to be rooting, sucking his fingers, my shoulder, whinging... But in the night he can go anything from 1 - 4.5 hours for next feed. (since introducing a swaddle blanket last couple nights been more like 3-4 hours.. Heaven!)

I told my mum (who bottle fed me) and can sense the disdain in her voice, like I'm overfeeding him. Keep hearing 'he just needs a dummy/ let him just cry sometimes/ he can't possibly be hungry again' from various people....

My health visitor claims a breastfed baby can't be overfed. But sometimes he is on and off the boob every 20-30 mins. To be fair to him he isn't on there for very long normally,, maybe 10 mins at a time.. a long feed is a rarity. sometimes he spits up a little after but nothing major.

Please just reassure me my little one quickly turning into a chunky monkey is not a bad thing!!

Seeing my mum this afternoon and feel I want to be armed with your success stories!

[suspiciousofgoldfish]

Firstly, I'm no expert but both of mine had healthy appetites and always ate much more than the guideline amount.

I do however bottle feed (expressed milk) at night because I personally feel like baby eats their fill and goes to sleep. My DD (2m) would be happy to suckle away all day long.

It's natural for babies to want to be close to their mothers, and although this is a wonderful thing, sometimes we need sleep or to run the Hoover round!

If you feel like you literally can't get anything done because baby wants to feed all day long, I would perhaps try leaving it 5 mins to see if they settle themselves.

Sometimes, hand sucking can be a sign of tiredness and/or self comfort.l

But the main thing is, he's putting on weight like a trooper and you sound happy so whatever works!

And by the way, I've always been told by GP, MW and HV that you can't over feed a breastfed baby too.

[suspiciousofgoldfish]

And 4.5 hours between feeds at night at 1 month old is great work, means he's eating plenty during the day. He will probably be a good sleeper, fingers crossed! You lucky thing.

[Heirhelp]

If you are happy and he is happy and putting on weight then all is good.

It sounds like he is a very effective feeder.

[readingrainbow]

He's still very, very little and ensuring that your milk supply meets his needs - therefore he'll be "asking" for more milk to ensure your body makes it! He's doing a great job and so are you. and

[coldofhands]

I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir, but he's regulating your supply still. By feeding lots he signals to your breasts to make more for the days ahead. He will feed little and often because his tummy is still tiny and rightly it's not being overstretched. It sounds like you're doing wonderfully.

I say ignore the hoovering but if you're desperate to do something, then a stretchy sling like a Moby wrap or Close caboo (I think that's what it's called) is a godsend to help baby feel safe and secure and where he wants & needs to be, right by his mum.

I'd look up third trimester if that helps. I wrote a post on my blog that may help too: www.penelopespantryblog.com/2016/05/10-things-i-learned-in-21-months-of.html?m=1

[Dixiechick17]

My DD was 7lbs 10, breastfed until she was eight months, she was a real milk monster, now 14 months and walking about she has lost the baby chunk and is still in 9-12 month clothes. I fed on demand the whole time, and had the same comments. You learn to ignore them over time. :)

[user1471439342]

Just to echo pp comments. My girl fed just like your baby and now at 9months she's self weaning from the boob and is exactly on her centile line. If its working for you and baby then crack on.
In your place I'd remind people commenting on your choices that breastfeeding is not all about the 'feeding' element, it's about comfort and bonding. Also your boobs smell like your amniotic fluid so baby feels at home there.

[coldofhands]

Fourth trimester even!

[orangebird69]

It sounds like you're doing everything absolutely brilliantly! Babies don't need to be left to cry or take a dummy. And yes, they can be hungry again so soon - unlike bottle feeding, you can't tell how much milk your baby is taking at a time. With respect, your mother is talking shite. If you're happy with what you're doing and your ds is thriving, then carry on as you are. My ds is 10mo and on solids now but I still bf him 'on demand' too. I heard all the crap you're being told. Don't listen to it. And congrats on your baby

[Flisspaps]

Feed, feed, feed. Sounds like you're doing a great job - it will eventually get longer between feeds

[MotherofPearl]

Another message of encouragement here OP. You are doing so well, and it sounds as if your little boy is thriving. My HV said exactly the same about it not being possible to over feed a breastfed baby. I currently breastfeeding my third DC on demand, and I love it! Happy baby, happy mother. As pp have said, once they're more mobile they shed the baby chubbyness. Enjoy this lovely time with your baby and please ignore your mother's advice, however well-intentioned.

[Stevefromstevenage]

Your mums dummy comment makes no sense because obviously the dummy was invented to replace the boob so the baby could not need a dummy. What you are doing is textbook perfect.

[NaturalRBF]

You're totally right doing what you are. Plus he's around the right age for cluster feeding and a growth spurt.

[Daytona79]

My first born was on 50th centile he regained birth weight by day 5 then put on approx 1lb a week for next 5 weeks and was up at 98th centile and has stayed there ever since and is 2 years old

Weight gain is healthy in BF babies, your doing a grand job keep it up.

[booellesmum]

Breastfed both mine on demand and neither had a dummy.
I agree it isn't just about food, it's about comforting them and bonding as well. I am sure DD1 in particular sucked a lot more than she needed to for food.
If you are happy that is all that matters. They are not little for long. Make the most of it.

[reallywittyname]

Keep doing exactly what you're doing - which is a great job!
And congrats on your baby