AIBU to think my baby feeds too little

[TheBerry]

He was born quite big, 9lb 3oz, and is exclusively breast fed.

He’s always been quite a quick feeder, and quite quickly went down from about 2.5hrs feeding a day to 1.25hrs. It seemed fine because by 11 weeks old he was 16lb 2oz, so pretty large.

He’s now 14 weeks and the last week or so his feeding time has reduced even more. He will feed about 7 times a day but rarely for more than 5 minutes. It’s working out about 40m feeding time in a 24hr period.

I weighed him a couple days ago and he was 16lb 12oz so still gaining but at a slower rate. Like 90th centile whereas he was 95th. And maybe the rate of growth will drop even more if he keeps feeding so little.

He’s a good sleeper and will sleep 8hrs for his first stretch at night before waking for a quick feed and then going back to sleep.

He seems generally fine during the daytime between feeds.

Has anyone else had a baby feed so little who was absolutely fine??

My first never fed for more than 5 minutes. He’s absolutely fine. Nearly four now, bang on for height and weight, happy and healthy.

My second is following the same path.

If they are gaining weight, having enough wet nappies and are alert and happy, let them lead. They know what they need.

I’ve not heard of the time being important unless they aren’t gaining weight and falling asleep whilst feeding. Suggest talk to your health visitor but 95 to 90 doesn’t sound like an issue and it’s minor they don’t track perfectly . babies will fluctuate a bit .

by that age they can feed very efficiently. Your boob should be soft .

Everything sounds good !

Speak to your health visitor. A family member was told her baby was eating enough (ebf) then had serious health issues because he wasn’t. Get reassurance, he’s probably fine if he’s gaining weight (family member baby was losing).

Time isn’t indicative of how much milk the baby is getting, you may have a fast flow or baby may be very efficient at getting what he needs quickly now. Mine have always had short feeds. As long as you’re continuing to feed when he shows he wants it and his nappy output is good with weight gain then he sounds like he’s very content! ❤️

I breastfed all four of mine, for years.
I discovered that they all had different preferred feeding times and durations.

The one that fed like yours was also sleeping through the night from six weeks. I was amazed - she was my third and the first two definitely fed more often, and for longer.

Babies are all different @TheBerry and I wouldn't worry at all about one who was gaining weight and sleeping really well.