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Infant feeding

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

Can my 16 wo really be this efficient a feeder already?

5 replies

CityDweller · 05/08/2013 19:08

Past week or so my now 16 wo has cut down on the length of her feeds. They now last about 5 mins max during daytime - and she'll only take one side. I can't persuade her to feed for longer (she starts screaming if I encourage her back to breast, but is fine as soon as I sit her up). Even her bedtime feed, which used to sometimes take an hour or more, is now far shorter, sometimes 10 mins. I expected feeds to get shorter with time, but not this soon. Or do they usually become super efficient feeders around this age?

She feeds between every 2-3 hrs during the day. She used to sleep thru 8-5 at night, but has recently started waking up more and seems hungry when she does (rather than waking for comfort). I'm wondering if this is cos her daytime and before-bed feeds are shorter so she needs to make up for it at night? If so, how can I convince her to eat more/ longer during the day? I've tried offering breast more frequently, but she just latches and sucks for a few seconds before losing interest cos she's clearly not hungry!

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MadBannersAndCopPorn · 05/08/2013 19:47

I'm no BF expert but from what I can remember, this happened to my dd as well at about 4/5 months.
You say she's fine when she sits up, could you get her to straddle on your knee and feed sitting up?
Do your breasts still feel full after dd has finished? Does she burp? (maybe she's swallowing more air, making her feel full)

If baby is content, producing wet/ dirty nappies etc she should be fine.
She's feeding regularly, so that's good.
Sometimes it's hard to trust them when it comes to BF but if she seems ok in herself, don't panic.
If you're really concerned or she starts producing less nappies/ behaviour changes then see a HV.

noblegiraffe · 05/08/2013 21:45

Waking up more in the night is sadly normal at 16ish weeks (4 month sleep regression).
My DD (6 months) only feeds for around 5 minutes from one side, and has done since she was very little. She feeds every 2-3 hours in the day, like yours, and her weight is fine, following her line nicely.

CityDweller · 05/08/2013 22:47

noble - yes, I fear this is the dreaded 4 month regression!

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onemoreginandtonic · 06/08/2013 16:40

My youngest has been like this sine birth. Maybe you have a fast let down and she has got the hang of it.

CityDweller · 06/08/2013 17:29

onemore I do indeed have a quick and strong letdown so I guess a few mins of that and she's full. She's always gained weight, despite being tongue tied, and I think I have my abundant supply and letdown to thank for that!

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