Is dd an inefficient suckler?

[tiredandgrumpy]

dd is now 3 months old. She's been exclusively bf since birth. We did have some concerns initially over weight gain, but she seems to be following a curve. She takes absolutely ages to feed and often seems to finish both sides, only to need more a short while later. Feeds like this can easily take an hour and she is often fed 1.5 to 2 hourly during the day (on demand, we have no routine).

She does go longer at night, but surely by this age she should be getting more efficient at feeding? She's never been one of those babies who get knocked out by a feed and often sleeps only lightly afterwards. She is dc3.

I don't remember having issues like this with the other two, who I bf for at least a year each. I'm really struggling, especially now it's summer holidays - I need dc3 to be satisfied with a feed rather than constantly stopping and starting. What can I do?

[orchidee]

I'm in a similar situation - 12wo feeds every 1-2 hours during the day, goes 4-6 hours overnight. I had him checked for tongue tie but was told that he just has a short tongue and so is a bit less efficient at feeding, but that it should improve as he grows (bigger mouth etc). Two weeks ago he could feed for 1-2 hours straight in the evening and 10-20 mins each feed during the day (i.e. 10-20 mins each hour or two) but it has just improved this week. He now feeds for 5-10 mins and goes 2 hours during the day. Hopefully you'll see some improvement soon too.

Also, have you tried the nipple flip (aka flipple) to improve the latch? It seems to help us. (Links on other posts, typing one-handed)

[tiredandgrumpy]

Thank you. I'll learn the flipple and just hope things improve with time. It's just so hard giving her the time to get completely full when I have to run around after my other two.

[narmada]

Several BF counsellors also said my son's inefficient feeding was due to having a short tongue - actually, though, he had an atypical tongue tie (a posterior one). These are much harder to spot, even for people with training in spotting them. Might be worth getting a second opinion on the tongue tie from a IBCLC-certified lactation consultant who is also a tongue-tie divider.

[orchidee]

narmada can you explain what a posterior tongue tie is and how it is identified? I've heard the term a few times but it's never been described, apart from as difficult to spot. DS was checked by the local hospital's person who deals with TT. She checked the floor of his mouth where the tongue is attached. I am willing to keep trying / see someone privately if it's worthwhile.

[orchidee]

(sorry for the thread hijack but the OP may be interested too)