How often should almost 6 week old be BFing?

[LotteryWinnersOnAcid]

My DS is 5 weeks and 4 days now. He was 8.5lbs at birth and was weighed earlier at our HV appointment and was 10.10lbs which she assured me is good progress.

The last couple of days he has gone from feeding every 2-3 hours to every 4 hours during the day and then will only wake once for a feed at night so is only getting about 6-7 feeds in a day. I have been reading that to keep my supply up I should be feeding him at least 8 times a day - is this the case? Should I be expressing additionally?

I have problems expressing (large nipples hit the side of electric and manual pumps causing pain and blistering) - hand expressing takes ages so I'd rather not, but am I going to have to? I thought my milk supply was great - my boobs certainly seem to like leaking all over the place, and this is with him having the occasional bottle of formula in the night.

Any thoughts?

It sounds to me like you are doing really well. As long as you are feeding him when he asks for it you honestly can't go far wrong. There is no "should" when it comes to numbers of feeds. Babies are all different. My DD1 fed 6 times in 24 hours at this age, her sister at least twice that, and both grew at the same rate.
No need to express either, just keep feeding him and all will be fine.

When ever they want. My son fed 2 hourly so if you are getting more sleep, enjoy it.

Ooh, that's what I wanted to hear, thanks for that. Just got a bit worried because he's been a bit grizzly and fussy during some feeds recently. He's been going on fine and taking a few sucks then crying within 30 seconds and pulling away, then going back on, and repeat. Makes me worry he's not getting enough milk during these "fussy feeds", as he will still grizzle afterwards, but will forget about it after a while as dad takes him off to amuse him by looking at light fittings etc! Not all feeds are this way. Wonder what it could be...

Mine used to fuss so I would take him off and lay him down. He usually decided he would feed properly afterall.

Could be wind. Or too much milk coming out for a tired baby to handle.

Yes I do have an overactive letdown, which he normally handles well, but if he's tired it could be too much for him.

My DS does that pulling off when my breasts are too full. I've started to hand express just enough to soften my breast around the nipple so he can latch better. Just thinking if he's just started to feed less often your breasts might be fuller at some feeds.

Makes sense, thanks! :)