Newborn doesn’t feed very long on breast!

[Bigdeluxe1]

Hi guys, my DS is 10 days old today and I am trying to breastfeed him. I record his feeding times and am hoping someone can give me some assurance that I am doing OK and that he is feeding…

I had some trouble in the first week cos of my c-section and tail bone pain so we couldn’t find a good latch but he seems to have gotten better this week. Yet I don’t think he is drinking long enough or frequently enough. Here is his feeding today so far:

12.55-1.02am 7 mins left boob

3.50-4.55am 22 mins left boob, 4 mins right

6.55-7.25am 17 mins, right boob

9.52-10.52am 31 mins, left boob

1.55-2.50pm 19 mins, right boob

Some women just have a really fast flow - I do and my son wasn't feeding for long but he got plenty. But the real way to know is his weight - get in for an extra weight check if you're worried

I'd ditch the timer for the feed lengths. And just check he's gaining weight as expected.
At 10 days you are probably due your HV appointment around now? And the midwife will weigh him before discharging you - has that happened yet, are they happy with his weight?

My DD was always a 10 minute feeder and only one side. She's 11 months now and will do 5 mins and still really only one side.
As PP said, the key really is weight gain. Also, as long as there are plenty of wet nappies aswell. A lot of people say dirty nappies also but my DD would go days without and that was just normal for her when she was young

Is he sleepy and is it difficult to get him to feed? I don't know if those times are long or not tbh all I know is one of my DC wasn't feeding long enough etc and became jaundiced. I was so clueless and it still upsets me now. Can you call your midwife?

How do you know if you have a fast flow? My boobs leak a lot when he’s feeding and when I squeeze them, drops come out but I don’t know if that means I have a fast flow 🥴

I have my appointment tomorrow. He weighed 3.18kg at birth and dropped to 2.94kg before we were discharged. He poos 2-3 a day so far, sometimes just a little and other times, it’s like runny mustard diarrhea. 5-6 wet diapers, not soaking wet though.

I guess I’ll know tomorrow at his weigh-in! Nervous!! 😖 Really want to continue breastfeeding. How often did your little one feed when she was newborn if she drank for just 10 mins on 1 breast?

I exclusively pumped for my first so had a good sense from that when BFing my second but it does sound like you have good supply

My dd was a very efficient feeder, 10 mins one breast only and my boobs never leaked. As long as weight gain is good and plenty of wet nappies then all should be fine.

@Bigdeluxe1 or varied really. Sometimes it was every hour, 2 hours was really the longest she would go. She did go through a phase of cluster feeding aswell like most and that is tough
She only lost a few pounds in her first 10 days and the midwives were really pleased and I really struggled with getting her to latch right for the first few weeks but she was doing great.
Hopefully the weigh in goes well tomorrow.

Stop timing feeds, all it’s doing is stressing you out, it sounds like you’re both doing really well. It can also be normal for baby to prefer one side over the other.

Its also completely normal for baby to drop up to 10% of their birth weight and your baby has lost less than that so please don’t worry x

Yeah he’s sleepy and it’s difficult to get him to stay awake during a feed. I have to try different things to stay awake, sometimes he stirs and drinks a little longer whereas other times he doesn’t wake up at all.

❤️❤️ this is really reassuring, I hope it’s the same for my little one

Thank you for your kind words PinkPlantCase ❤️ My anxiety is through the roof as we relocated to the UAE this year so no family/friends around + no midwives to communicate with when issues like this arise. My hospital is also an hour away 🥲 Times like this, I wish I stayed in the UK!

Get a tongue tie check as babies with tongue tie often get tired and stop

Wet and dirty nappies and weight gain is all that's needed.

My second child only ever fed 5 mins at a time.

I've breast fed both of my sons, my youngest is 2 and he's still going so hopefully I can share some experience!
It's absolutely normal for a baby to feed all the time in those early weeks. You may feel like you don't do much more then feed, it's normal. OR your baby may feed really efficiently and you might feed every few hours. Again that's fine. Anything is fine as long as the baby is gaining weight and you aren't in pain.
Just remember both of you are learning and everything changes SO much.
Some mums leak, some don't. I leaked a bit to begin with but both of my son sleep refused to feed off one side so I have a big supply in one and not the other.
My youngest had a CMP intolerance to begin with. I have up cows milk based food for a few months and slowly weaned it back into my diet. Again he was fine and so was I!

It sounds like you're doing really well and trying really hard ♥️

If you want to chat, I'm here x

DD only ever fed for 5 minutes in total. It was a bit of a shock after DS.

I really wouldn't worry about timing feeds. There are much better ways of telling if your LO is getting enough.

Have a read of Feeding Your Newborn, What to Expect in the Early Weeks and Is Baby Getting Enough Milk?

This video which shows what good drinking looks like might be helpful too

If you feel like you need a bit more support or reassurance though, I'd give one of the BFing Helplines a call this morning and talk through your concerns with a fully trained BFC.

Are you going along to any BFing Support Groups yet? I think you might find being with other women who are BFing useful

Sorry just read that you're in the UAE @Bigdeluxe1

I think there's a La Leche League that you can contact.

Tongue Tie has been mentioned, there some information on that here. My DS had that and fell asleep on the breast a lot.

Even if the gain at the weigh in wasn't as expected there's a few things you can try before formula top ups, they definitely shouldn't be the only option.

Have a read of How Might I Increase My Baby's Weight Gain? and Sleepy Babies.

Has anyone mentioned trying Breast Compressions when his feeding slows down?

Is there a reason you aren’t offering both sides at each feed? I was always told to.
But I agree, you don’t need to time feeds. Sometimes they’re asleep and just sucking rather than actually feeding anyway.

Not at all! It’s just that after 5-10 minutes, he falls asleep or doesn’t appear interested anymore. If he wants it, he’s welcome to my boobs! More boobs, the better 😃

Did you manage to find any local support yet @Bigdeluxe1?

How are things today?

I’d try him on the other side anyway.