Really short feeds.....

[Heatherbell1978]

My DS1 has always feed for short periods at a time, since day 1. I can count on one hand the number of times he's gone for longer than 10 mins, it's more like 5. I don't offer both sides as he seems to drain 1 in record time then pass out quite content.

He's now 5.5 weeks and has gained weight since day 1; on 50th centile with plenty wet and dirty nappies.

But the last few days he seems to have barely fed, he's gone from about 12 feeds a day to around 8 and some of them have been just 4 mins. Just a short while ago I assumed he was hungry, but he was crying within 3 mins of latching on and seemed to not want any more so I offered the dummy and he went straight to sleep. This has happened a couple of times. He's happily snoozing in his crib now.

Is this right that a baby can feed in total for less than an hour a day? I worry that he is crying because of colic but it only happens occasionally, if he had colic/reflux he would cry every feed surely?

Heather, I can understand your concerns - he's feeding quickly :)

But the best indication of your baby's wellbeing is his growth, health and responsiveness. If all is well, then his feeding is prob right for him. It would make sense to offer the second side, though, when he cries after 3 mins, maybe leaving a break before immediately doing so.

Then have him weighed soon and chat to HV about things.

I would offer him the second side too. I do think it can happen though, 2 of my babies were very short feeders from the very beginning, 4-5 minutes was very usual. That would be every 2 hours and sometimes less in the day and 1 feed overnight (boy was that a result as they were #2 and 3 so more sleep was a huge bonus, by the time they were 6 months they had more feeds at night, not less). Agree to keeping eye on nappies, weight etc. though.