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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

a few breastfeeding questions from a beginner

9 replies

Annpan88 · 19/03/2011 14:42

Hiya! Ds was born 6 days ago (and he's amazing).

I had a lot of trouble getting him to latch on and it only really clicked after I left hospital (they were quite forceful and at bf support group the lady said that had created a bit of an issue for him).

Anyway after a few days of going between formula and bf I'm finally only breastfeeding, which is a lot easier and we're all a lot happier. After a long feed he comes off the breast, and doesn't want to go back on after burping and seems sleepy. We then lie him down and he starts making little mouth movements, but not chewing his hand like he does before a feed, and he just seems really awake, but content, does this mean he's still hungry?

Also I was wondering how long he'll stay feeding every 2-3 hours. I know every babies different but I literally have no idea how long it will stay like this for.

And is it ok to lie him down if he has the hicups?

Sorry really long thanks for any help! Xx

OP posts:

mybrainissayingfckyou · 19/03/2011 14:55

Congratulations on your little boy.
Doubt he is still hungry unless he is also turning his head side to side 'rooting' (looking for you)
My daughter is always making little mouth movements when asleep - we always thhink she is dreaming of milk.
Every 2-3 hours lasted for me until 8 weeks. Now she will go every 4 hours. But maybe i am lucky/unlucky - she feeds on demand but sometimes i give her boob when she is being fussy and it is in fact wind and a good belch she needs.
Mine has also hiccuped in all positions.
Have an older one who - so far -has turned out fine.
But there may be a more qualified mumsnetter along in a minute who may have different view!

Original poster

Annpan88 · 19/03/2011 15:33

Brillian thank you! X

OP posts:

ningthemerciless · 19/03/2011 15:38

Hello and congrats muchly on your wee man!

I agree with everything mybrain sayd - if he seems content after a feed then he probably is just that. If he's chewing his fist/rooting/crying/fretful then that would suggest to me that he's still hungry but as he's not he's probably just taking a bit of time to survey his world. My 20 week old still does this. Also though mine never really needed burping all that much so I would just feed him until he was done.

I think mine stopped every 2 hours maybe 9 weeks in? There are days even now when he does want it more often - if he's upset or tired or going through a growth spurt etc but generally he will go 3+ hours (I think - I just do it on demand but really I should take more notice hehe).

And yes it's okay for him to lie down with the hiccups. Again mine does it in all positions. When my son was inside me he had hiccups every day and I always think he was upside down then.

It does get more natural and instinctive and easier over time! You sound like you are doing well and aware of his needs and in 8 weeks you'll probably be posting advice to someone else on this subject thinking 'Oh I remember that'. Congrats again!

RitaMorgan · 19/03/2011 16:44

Mine fed every 2-3 hours in the day until 6 months, some babies will feed more frequently than that! If you're feeding on demand you can't really go wrong through.

When he finishes on one breast, maybe just burp him (although mine never really needed burping) and offer the other breast - it's a good idea to offer both breasts at every feed, although he may only want a little or nothing from the second side.

PenguinArmy · 19/03/2011 17:13

Another one who's LO fed every 2 hours until 6/7 months.

I think most people have this for day feeds up to that age but many are luckier at night. However she get a lot quicker with time.

ShowOfHands · 19/03/2011 17:18

DD fed 2 hourly for 7 months too.

missmehalia · 19/03/2011 17:18

Agree with those on here who are saying he'll let you know if he's still hungry (that rooting reflex). I've sometimes put mine to bed with hiccups, it doesn't seem to have done them any harm.

I found it always worked better for me if I just gave one breast per feed. My milk supply went bonkers otherwise, and I'm not sure the baby would have had enough hindmilk otherwise - they have to work very slightly harder to get it.

But no matter what any of us may say, do you own thing. I found breastfeeding really convenient, bonding and empowering. And cheap!! Well done you for doing it. I can't believe that those of us who have/do are in such a shocking minority, though I realise there are reasons.

TittyBojangles · 19/03/2011 20:00

My DS is 20 weeks and feeds every 2-3 hours during the day, every 4 hours ish during the night. I'd tryyour best not to watch the clock if you can.

RitaMorgan · 19/03/2011 21:19

Just to add something to missmehalia's post - you don't need to worry about keeping the baby on for a certain length of time to get to the hindmilk or anything like that, it's fine to let the baby feed for as long as they like then offer the other side. Unless you have a problem with over-supply (which is maybe what you had missmehalia?) there's no need to limit the baby to one breast.

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