How much breastmilk do they need?

[Whereismymind]

Hello Mumsnetters!
First a confession... in spite of being an addicted mumsnetter for ages, this is the first time I've actually posted ! How come everyone seems to already know each other on here?!
Anyway, I'm after a bit of advice really. My DD (number 2) is nearly 7 months old and has been weaning for 5 weeks. She's doing brilliantly and eating 3 meals a day (puds and all!) but I'm not sure how many times I still need to bf her? I've probably been a bit keen to drop her day time feeds - mostly because there just doesn't seem to be enough time in the day
So my question to you all is this - is it enough to be only bf'ing first thing and last thing or am I doing her out of all theose yummy vitamins etc. that she still needs? DD1 was definitely down to only two feeds a day by 9months but I cant remember how early she dropped the others (and she's not even three yet... talk about nappy brain )
Looking forwrd to hearing what some real mums think! And thanks!

[blazingsandals]

She needs a pint of milk a day as far as I recall. DD has not cut down on her number of feeds (she's nearly one) but has cut down on the time it takes. I remember at about your DDs stage she suddenly went from feeding for 30 minutes, to feeding for five but feeding like a hoover and definitely getting as much out. I don't know if your first did the same or not.

I'm sure one of the non-muddled headed breastfeeding mums will be along shortly. My brain is definitely woolier these days too!

[Whereismymind]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one. I used to have quite a good memory... I think!
A pint a day is what I've been told too but I've also got it into my head that when they're breastfed they'll take as much as they need whether it's twice a day or four times.
DD1 def got quicker though. And then one day I thought I'd not automatically offer it to her and just feed her if she got stressed for it but she didn't so that was that.

[choolie]

My DS is 7.5mo and I find this one a bit baffling too, as if FF you know how much they've had, but my HV reassures me that they'll self regulate and take as much as they need if still BF at this stage. - and as blazing says, they def become more efficient feeders. DS hardly takes much during the day now, but still has his fill during the night . Sounds like you're lucky if she has a bedtime feed which sees her through the night how d'you manage that one??? i think you'll soon know if she's not getting enough as she may start wakingup for another feed, in which case you could just up the day feeds slightly. (or express and feed her soem EBM out of a cup in the day?)

[Whereismymind]

That's one absolute downside to bf'ing isn't it, nt knowing hoe much they actually get. Just before we started weaning and for the first couple of weeks dd had started waking up earlier in the mornings (and waking grumpy instead of her usual sunny self)but since dropping the day time feeds she's taking that bed time one much better and sleeping better again too.
Poor you still habing the night feeds... dd1 kept her 4-5am feed for ages too and I had to keep telling myself to just try to appreciate the extra cuddle time

[PutThatInYourPipeandSmokeIt]

I don't know if this helps but my DD is 10 months and BF when she wakes (any time between 5:30 - 7:45am!) and then again after lunch at 2ish and then at bedtime (7pm). No night feeds. We had to coax her out of those a month ago!

[PutThatInYourPipeandSmokeIt]

Actually, it wasn't so long ago that she was feeding at 10ish too. Mind you - we did self-feeding with solids right away so I wonder whether she was eating less than another LO being spoon fed. It took her about 6-8 weeks I would say to start eating substantial amounts.

[spooklesandwhine]

[PutThatInYourPipeandSmokeIt]

oooh . Thank you

[spooklesandwhine]