Am I feeding correct ??? breastfeeding

[pop1973]

Just some advice really.

Was very sore, seem to have latch correctly and not sore anymore. Expressed on sore sides initially for a day or so to keep the feeding going.

Now on day 11. Lo is feeding every 2-3 hours. Was told not to let lo go any longer due to loss in weight gain. Now lo is gaining 1oz a day in average.

I am not expressing any more, haven't done so for last 2 days. What I want to check if I doing this correctly. Typical feed for lo is anytime from 10-20 minutes, every 2 - 3 hours. I am feeding on one breast, if the time is longer than 15 minutes etc and I don't feel full on one side then on the next feed I go onto the other breast and start the feed again.

If however, lo only feeds for 5-10 minutes and I don't feel she has reached the thicker milk then I put her back on the same breast for a nother feed. Then the following feed will put her on a new breast.

Is this correct ?? She tends to fall asleep once she has had enough and will often dribble out any of the milk if she has had enough. Should I make her take the second breast after feeding the first to her. I have read some threads where most say they feed for 30 minutes.

Am I doing this right or not ? Will the time increase on the breast as the little gets older in weeks ??

She is putting on weight and is taking plenty of dirty nappies, one after every feed.

Thanks

[jenhden]

nct have a breastfeeding counsellor phone line that you don't have to be a member to join and they are fab! it takes them two years to train so they know it all!

[mumblecrumble]

Hello!
Congratulations on your baby and on getting through sore nipples! SOunds like [from nappies and weight gain] that your baby is healthy and happy and feeding well.

Obviously nobody can tell over the tinternett and I really really recomend you join a breastfeeding group or a baby group that are booby friendly. Partly becasue they will be able to constantly reassure and advise you and also cos they are great fun!

Though I've done a peer support training thing, don't profess to be any way near an expert and I'm sure others will post who are. But 10 -15 mins, every 2-3 hours sound frequent and your baby sounds satisfied. ALso sounds similar to us at around 2-4 weeks.

By the way.... the second you think you#re doing it right and you kow what's happening she will completely change her feeding and behaviour! Just to keep you on your toes!!!

ANother good reason to join a breastfeeding group.

Are there any near you?

[idunnop]

If she's putting on 1oz per day and it's not hurting then I would say you're doing it right! Some babies feed much faster than others - DD always took an hour, whereas my sister's DD take about 5-10 mins. It doesn't necessarily indicate how much they're getting. I'm no expert though....

[Northernlurker]

I think it's the frequency of the feeds that is more key here than the length of the feeds. Your frequency sounds fine to me. I've breastfed three and my first daughter used to take at least an hour every three hours. DD2 and 3 both fed for shorter times a lot of the time but a bit more often. If she is settled, gaining weight, has some alert time and plenty of wet nappies then you are doing all the right things. Breastfeeding is an art - and everybody has an individual expression of that art. Personally I was hopeless without a pillow to feed on. Doesn't mean I was doing it 'wrong' just that for my shape a pillow was the best thing.

One more thing - weighing can be a useful tool but it can also be very destructive of confidence. Trust yourself to look at your baby and know she is well. By all means get her weighed every now and then but don't let the weighing drive how you feel about feeding your baby.

[MrsHappy]

It sounds like you are doing everything right.

I used to put my DD back on the boob she had had last at the previous feed, and then I tended to offer her the other one too (as "pudding"). I don't think there is a right way or a wrong way to do this, but offering her the other breast made me feel surer that she was full. If she didn't want it, then that was ok too.

She only ever fed for 10 minutes or so - some of them are just efficient and that is absolutely fine.

The nappies and weight gain sound great. If you are no longer having any pain I reckon you should just relax about it.

[plusonemore]

god its such a guessing game. I would advise getting latch checked from someone good (not HV or MW) we have a great BF counseller here, I thought my latch was fine but turns out a was tilting my nipple down at the last second so it wasnt angled upwards anymore. After a couple of days doing it correctly it was (almost) pain free! Gets sooooooo much easier very soon so keep your chin up. You'll miss it if you stop but equally dont worry bout using the odd bottle if that what you need, i did and didnt have any problems