2hr+ feeds and sleep feeding

[Zippy89]

My LO is 11 days old and Im looking for some advice.

Up until 9 days old- He was feeding on average for 2hrs at a time (i wake home every 3hrs in between). However I don’t think he is 100% full after the 2 hrs as he is a pain to get to sleep. Some nights he fed for 4hrs before being able to put him down. This was killing me as he was feeding for so long and when I put him down it wasn’t long before he was up again wanting more. Has anyone else had this? Everything I seem to research says they should feed for between 20-40minutes but he is doing well over 3x that. I don’t know if it is because he is falling asleep whilst feeding? About 10mins into a feed he will close his eyes but carry on with his suckles for 1-3 hours after. The health care worker said that as long as he is still suckling he is still getting food and not to take him off but this is going in for hours (I have tried the chicken arm, rub under the arm and legs etc to keep him awake but he’s a hell of a sleeper when on the breast.)
From 9 days onwards I started feeding him for an hour then taking him off and giving him 50ml of breast milk from the Hakka followed by up to 90ml of formula after to get him off to sleep. I just don’t know if this is the right thing anymore as it is taking a lot of formula to get him to sleep. Any experiences in this? He has plenty of wet and dirty nappies from either the 2-4hr feed or the 1hr with top up so it’s literally a case of which way I should continue with moving forward....

Should I just continue with the 2-4hr feeds at a time until he settles into a better habit if it’s only for a couple more weeks or do you think this is how it’s going to be for the long run and instead go with the 1hr with formula top up?. Thanks all

[PaulinePetrovaPosey]

The only thing that would keep my DD properly awake to feed was cold damp cotton wool rubbed on her neck (poor baby! But it wasn't for long and it worked).

[saywhatwhatnow]

I would say he's just getting your milk supply established. And if you can manage it then just keep feeding!! He will settle down and become more efficient. Mine did quite a few mammoth feeds and only in the last 2-3 weeks has he settled into shorter feeds (as in under 45mins) and he's 10 weeks.

[Gwynfluff]

Is he finishing the breast - needs to be completely floppy. Then if still needs more - change nappy - then put on other side.

Feed every 2 hours in the day and encourage a proper nap off the breast and do whatever it takes to facilitate that - sling, bounce on a baby chair, pram shuggled in hall.

It will take 6-8 weeks to establish supply and their will be cluster feeds. You need to stay hydrated and eat well more because you’ll feel crap than it impacting on milk quality.

But topping up with ebm or formula will be the enemy of establishing milk supply and if you want to do it better to pick one feed to do it.

[Fineifthatsthewayyouwantit]

Don't think this is how it's going to be for the long run at all, it's such early days for feeding and your baby is really tiny. All the feeding and even just suckling your baby is doing is helping your milk supply.

I would try to breastfeed every 2 hrs in the daytime, offer both breasts. Be aware that formula top ups and even expressed milk can really dent your supply at this stage.