Breastfeedings too short ?

[Ally0]

Hi just after some advice.

I’ve recently weaned my 5 week old off using nipple shields. Since not using them he’s feeding for around 10 minutes. Before with the shields it was more like 30 minutes. Is this because it takes longer to get milk through the shields ? Or is something going wrong! Don’t want him to not be having full feeds!

thanks

Are you offering both sides and is he still awake at the end of a feed? Feeding does get quicker though.

Yes offering both sides. Either he will do 5 mins each side or 10 mins one side and not take to the other. He sometimes falls asleep when he’s done. Sometimes not.

It could be that baby is getting the milk more efficiently without the shields and so is feeding more quickly. They say a full feed is anywhere from 5 to 40 minutes and every baby is different.

It's worth looking at baby's sucks and swallows to check he's actively feeding. Usually if baby is swallowing once for every 1-2 sucks it indicates they're feeding well. It can be hard to see / hear the swallows but this website has useful info.

Keep an eye on his wet nappies - you want him to be having at least 6 wet heavy nappies in 24 hours. Also keep an eye on weight gain. If he's having enough wet nappies and his weight is going up well you can be confident he's getting enough. Your local breastfeeding support group would be able to help with a feeding assessment and check all is going ok.

You're doing really well - it's not easy stopping using nipple shields