How often should I be BFing

[domesticungoddess]

My 5 1/2 month old has been a bit of a toad to BF. Cluster feeding for hours for the first few months, then a nursing strick for 8 weeks during the day (1-2 hrly at night)-which was fine but she droped to the 9th centile, biting with her first teeth etc ....

I still BF only in a dark room and often in what I call the 'moo cow' position-her on her back me over the top dipping my boob in her mouth.

After chatting to two HV, my GP and two ppaediatricians I decided to wean her a few weeks ago. She is now onto three meals a day (and is loving her food) and has finally started to gain weight again. Also she is much happier. Not what I had planned, I wanted to EBF for 6 months, but it seems to be working.

I am worried she doesn't BF enough. It has got better since I weaned her. She feeds in the morning sometime (6am ish) then at 11am then at 3 pm and bed time 6pm. At night she feeds 3-4 (ocassionally 5 times). The day feeds are really short though (2-5 minutes)and I am worried she isn't feeding enough. I produce loads of milk and squirt everywhere, soak through pads etc. I pump once a day (100 mls) to add to her food.

Is she getting enough ?

Sshe is gaining about 6 onz/week (it was 2-3onz before solids), poos a lot and has massively wet nappies at each feed in the night but they are drier in the day.

I ment strike....

Just worried that she goes a long time without fluid in the day. She refuses a bottle of Expressed breast milk and I am onto my forth type of cup with cool boiled water in without much success.

I guess I'm sad she is not still EBF but want to continue BF until she is 1 yrs old (then I have to go back to work).

That sounds fine to me. You may have a generous supply and fast letdown, and at her age your DD has become an efficient feeder. Watch the child, not the clock

7 to 9 times in 24 hours seems pretty normal to me - my ds was also on solids by 5.5 months and was bfing 6-7 times. He's 7.5 months now and is only bfing 4-5 times.

Odd night. My best sleep ever since she was born. She only fed at 10pm and 5am but has refused breast milk since!! But not solids. ahhhhh. It really worries me when she refuses the breast.