Length of BF 9 months - please help!

[Tarlia]

Hey, just after a bit of advice.. my 9 month old over the last month has become far too nosey to breastfeed and feeds 4 times during the day, dream feed and at least 1 feed early morning (seems to be dropping the breakfast feed in favour of this) - the problem is, most of these feds are a max of 5 minutes until something (anything!) becomes more interesting. I literally cannot move/drink, everyone else has to be silent and obviously this cannot happen when we are out and about. I really do not want to stop BF :( but I'm worried he will become dehydrated as he doesn't drink water either - just plays with the cup.

I sometimes still leak a small amount from the opposite side, but just worry that my milk will also dry up. Surely his transfer cannot be that effective!?

How long does your LO feed for? How many times? Any advice/tips greatly received. Just when I think we have it cracked something else throws me.

Is your DS showing any signs of dehydration Tarlia? Is everything else ok?

Nope, isn't displaying any signs at all of dehydration, just nosey. Can he really get whats needed in 30-60 mins nursing in 24 hours though? that's the worry

is he having meals too? he may just be needing a bit of comfort from you during the short 'feeds' - i'm pretty sure if he has a full feed at least once a day, he won't be dehydrated. The first bit, the 'foremilk' is the thirst-quenchingy bit anyway I am sure, and after let-down comes the more filling stuff.

My 9 month old doesn't drink water much, though it is offered. He feeds 3 - 4 times during the day for about 10 minutes. I think its pretty normal. HTH.

oh, as well as eating 3 meals!

Tarlia I would think so but I'm not trained so not really sure. My instinct would be to say yes and I've always thought that the foremilk/hindmilk was a bit a myth but could be wrong.

Have you spoken to a BFC about your concerns?

Hmm, very interesting, thanks both.

Not spoken to a BFC, no. I'm not in the UK so this service is not readily available unfortunately.

My 5.5mo feeds very quickly - 4-10 minutes max. I haven't started her on solids yet so that's all she's getting, she's just very efficient at breastfeeding. I'm also struggling with keeping her attention, recently I had to stand facing the wall in a corner at soft play just to get her to feed (whilst simultaneously rocking her back and forth to keep her focus!). So, unless you've had problems with maintaining your supply in the past, I would think he's just got very quick at feeding?

by 9 months old my dd was only feeding for around 5 minutes with one longer feed in the evening. She was eating quite a good range of food by that point as well.

Thank you, its very reassuring to hear that other babies were doing the same. I've not had supply issues (touch wood) so hopefully that is the case then.

Out of interest, how long were you both able to feed until?

DD had 5 minute feeds from 6 weeks, she bf until 14 months

DS fed for 4 minutes from the moment he was born and is piling on the weight (he's only 5 weeks though)

Now I'm just , Penguin. Can't win! Haha

Congratulations Penguin, sounds like you've got a very efficient feeder there .

Tarlia DD fed for 10 minutes max and we kept it going till 2.8. Didn't do self weaning though.

thanks JJJ I remember you hand holding me early in the pg I believe.