How often should a ebf 3 m/o feed during day/losing interest..?

[ag123]

My 13 w/o seems to have been feeding less and less recently. I've never been one to record times of feeds etc...has always just been on demand, but it feels like he has gone from being almost obsessed with the boob about 3 weeks ago,to not really that interested at all... I find myself offering him a feed quite often now as it feels like so long since he last fed, but quite often he cries at me as I try and put it in his mouth!! He is a very big boy and certainly was feeding a lot to begin with, I suppose to establish a big supply, so there is a possibility it is just my perception, but I have started to worry more and more about it. The other thing is all this has coincided with him finally taking a dummy happily,and it sometimes seems like his obsession has just switched to the dummy. Sometimes after I've tried to offer him a feed and he has objected I then offer him his dummy and he makes a noise as if he's so relieved!!Could this lead to problems with my supply?

Does he feed for a shorter time? If so, perhaps he's just more efficient. Or perhaps sometimes before hr was doing that non-nutritive sucking sometimes and dummy has replaced that? I'm not an expert, just another BFing mum (of a 13wk old too).

Yes much shorter (maybe 10 mins max per feed at present), but also much more time between feeds...e.g. This afternoon I think he fed before we went for a walk at about 12.30,then he didn't have a proper feed until we got back again at about 4.30...and both seemed like quite short feeds. Maybe u'll try and keep proper timings over the next few days so I have a proper record...

My ds got a lot quicker around this age, he may just be taking bigger feeds more quickly, and his stomach is bigger so can last a bit longer. I'm assuming your not formula supplementing? I wouldn't worry too much about supply if you're just breast feeding. In my experience they let you know when they're hungry, and you said he's healthy (just a mum not a professional!) Have never used dummies though, mine babies never keen - not sure if this was blessing or a curse

Did he have a snack feed during that 4hr period you were out? Was he asleep at all during that time? He's not got a cold or anything?
Am sure this shouldn't affect your supply but not an expert. My 13wk old doesn't feed at all during the night and can sleep anything from 9-13hrs, it doesn't affect my supply but my boobs are ready to explode by morning

Sighs with envy that fhdl34 gets that much sleep

Well he slept all the way through the walk there...we then went to the cafe in the woods and he woke up and was prob awake for at least an hour or so...I tried to feed him at least twice during that period but he just wasn't interested...he then slept for the walk back and did finally have a feed when we got home,but I did have to persuade him a little as he was protesting to begin with. He hasn't been completely himself this afternoon-it took ages to put him down at bedtime as he kept waking himself up,but he has definitely been feeding less in general over the past few weeks...

When did you last have him weighed? I suppose if he's gaining weight okay then he's obviously getting enough. Perhaps he's about to do something new developmentally, I think sometimes they can go a bit funny with their feeding when that's about to happen. Or he could be teething. Hopefully a BF counsellor will be along soon to advise you properly, I'm not sure when they get more efficient, my DD seemed to feed faster a lot quicker than other babies but she still takes 15 mins per feed now. Did you have a look on the kellymom website to see if there were any reasons on there? I think if it were me, and he seemed okay in himself, was doing plenty of dirty/wet nappies and was gaining weight okay, I wouldn't worry too much.

missdeelite she still manages to wake me up in the night with her farts and, at the moment, coughing plus my own panic wakings to check she's still breathing so it isn't undisturbed but I am very lucky, certainly makes this whole baby thing a lot easier and as she feeds every 1-2hrs during the day, I'm grateful to get my rest by the end of the day.

Also, he is a big boy (he was 16 lb 3 oz when I weighed him 2 weeks ago and he's growing out of some of his 3-6 month clothes already) so does size have more of an influence on metabolism than age? Although I would have thought a bigger boy needs more food? This has certainly previously seemed to be the ase...

I would start measuring weight gain and also number of wet/dirty nappies and speak to your hv or gp if you are worried. I'm sure it's fine but worth checking IMO.