Baby only feeds for 10 mins

[Moonshine160]

DS2 is 5 weeks old and is a snacky feeder. He only feeds for 5-10 minutes at a time and feeds really regularly, mostly hourly. My first DS had less feeds but they lasted much longer right from the start. He has lots of wet and dirty nappies and he is gaining weight well - he was born 2 weeks early weighing 5lb 13oz and hes now 8lb 11oz. How do I extend the feeds, or is he just more efficient at getting what he needs? I’ve tried the usual, tickling his ear, changing him etc to try and keep him going but once he’s done he’s done. Or he goes into a deep sleep.

Overnight he was having longer feeds but over the last few nights he’s only feeding for 5 minutes before going back to sleep and then wakes an hour later because he’s hungry again. The hourly feeds are killing me when he was doing 2-3 hour stretches this time last week.

He also has a shallow latch which we’re working on. Tongue has been checked 3 times and no tongue tie apparently.

Is this normal?

It’s probably obviously but I should have added that he’s breastfed! X

Yes sure it is normal! Ds1 was staying at the breast for an hour exactly. Well he used to mostly sleep that thime but if take him from breast would protest. Ds2 5-10 min and was done. I did express a few time to make sure i had enough milk so there was enough and also eating it that quick from the bottle. He used to bring out a little everytime first few weeks because he was eating too quickly but was fine afterwards.

My eldest was like this, hourly snack feeds, I was told my let down was rapid and she was getting everything she needed but as she was little when born 6lbs 4 oz her tummy was tiny so filled up quickly. She was quick to gain weight and settled for longer periods overnight before long. I went back to work at 12 weeks (this was 29 years ago) and by that time had settled well and on,y woke up once a night.

Usually in my experience breastfeed babies eat more often. I think they love the confort offered. You can offer him a soother to delay the feed by 10-15 min gradually so he can get used to new time between feeds. I know it's tiring but often they settle their routine at around this time. Mine started to sleep longer in the night and wake up at 3,4 hours but still feed at about 1 hour during the day so he will probably give you signals when he is ready 🙃 tough don't be upset if doesn't, just think he won't be breastfeed forever 😅