2 Week old - 10 minute breastfeeds and advice from Hv

[CocktailSausage]

My 2 week old bf ds is only feeding for 10-15 minutes at a time.
I had a visit from the hv today who has told me that I need to increase the feeding time by another 20 minutes. She said that ds wouldn't be getting any hindmilk as I'm not feeding him for long enough. The problem is that ds will fall asleep during bf and it is difficult to rouse him. He is feeding every 2-3 hours. He is gaining weight and following his centile curve so should I really worry? I don't really know how I can get him to feed for longer

no, don't worry at all.
sounds like he is doing great :)

My DD1 never fed more than 5 minutes a time at all in her 21 months of BF. There Fore/Hind milk thing is not really a worry as your baby will take the milk they need.

Are you getting lots of wet nappies and at least 1 yellow mustardy poo nappy a day? Has he gained his birthweight +some? If all of these things and you have no other concerns I wouldn't worry, you cannot force feed a bf baby.

Some babies are really efficient feeders and only feed for a short time. Your milk will get fattier as he feeds and he will be getting what he needs.
If he is gaining weight, alert when awake, having lots of wet and dirty nappies then he's fine.
If he falls asleep on one breast , change him or cuddle him then offer the other breast,
Expecting him to feed for another 20mins is a bit odd.
If in doubt speak to an NCT or La Leche League bf counsellor.

cocktail, it sounds as though your hv has not understood how breastfeeding works, and how the pattern your little one is showing is normal.

You say he is thriving and gaining weight normally.

She is wrong in saying that feeding time has to be of a certain length to enable the baby to get hindmilk. Perhaps you can share these links with her:

thefunnyshapedwoman.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/foremilk-and-hindmilk-in-quest-of.html

www.analyticalarmadillo.co.uk/2010/07/foremilkhindmilk-and-lot-of-confusion.html

Do ring any of the bf helplines and talk it through.

Your HV does need to know how poorly she is supporting you, if you are brave enough to tell her :)

Thank you for your help bundaburg, blueberry and friday.

I just spoke to a bf councillor who has told me as ds isn't my 1st bf child I'm more efficient at milk production and so ds will be getting what he needs for the time he feeds.

And thank you tiktok. I wish
I could tell her.
Especially because she brought a male trainee along with her on her visit.

Think about telling her - you could print out some information and say you felt a bit confused after her visit, and that you had been in touch with an NCT breastfeeding counsellor (moi!) who told you something that made you wonder if you had understood what she (HV) had said , and could she maybe clarify....

The idea that she is not only telling other mothers rubbish, but her students, who will pass on the bad info, is a bit disturbing, but of course it is daunting to be the one that tells her/hints at this to her face

And of course you've spoken to another bfc who basically told you the same thing (though it has no much to do with this being your second child, and everything to do with your baby being 2 weeks old and feeding perfectly normally:) )