Is ds more efficient (16 weeks) or is there a problem? Help please!

[alittlebitshy]

I'm worried about ds's feeding. He deffo isn't feeding as often - he used to take whenever i offered and asked as well. Now often it's a few mins (less than 5 on one side and similar or less on the other). Sometimes - eg before a nap he might do longer, but even first thing in the morning after an 11-12 hour sleep, and when I am explosive he isn't feeding for so long. I do feel "floppy" after he's finished in the morning so maybe he is just quick, but i'm not sure. Sometiems after his few mins at the breast he screams and howls and has another suck and screams, tries again and screams. I was wondering if we had thrush but his mouth doens't look white and fuzzy, and while my nips are sore, I think it's normal (for me ) soreness. Is he frustrated that the milk isn't there at that suck and he's too lazy to do more? Is he not really hungry by then? Is my supply low? I am so stressed by it. I keep looking him in the eye after a feed and asking him what the matter is. he looks at me like this then . Lol....

Could be teeth. It's normal by about four months for them to feed for less time and less often. But the fact that he's screaming afterwards means either wind or tooth pain. Most likely tooth pain. DD had two teeth by 16 weeks . Was not a pleasant experience.

Your boobs feel flatter once they get used to making milk. Mine took a tad longer than that to get to that stage but it happens to everyone. But DD on the 99th centile got plenty even with them being not so stuffed with milk.

I wondered about teeth. My dd got her first one at 16-17 weeks i think. NO sign yet in ds but he IS excessively drooling too so....

How long is the ok side of short to feed if that makes sense?

If it's less than two minutes, he's snacking not feeding and will keep asking and driving you nuts. But if he's feeding properly for five minutes and going a few hours between feeds, that's probably enough for him. You don't know how fast your milk let's down. Mine is exceptionally fast and both DS and DD gobble it down in record time. Mind you DS likes his leisurely feeds too (mostly when I'm knackered and wish he'd hurry up ).

Try freezing a wet flannel and letting him chew on it. For the teething I mean.

B-fed babies really cut down after their 3 mth growth spurt. Nothing to worry about!! they also get so efficient that they can drain a breast in 5-10 mins. If he's healthy, happy, putting on weight (though worth checking out WHO b-fed babies growth charts as the red books aren't very accurate for this stage!) just enjoy it whilst you can. Here's a link for growth charts:
www.who.int/nutrition/media_page/cht_wfa_boys_z_0_5.pdf

Thanks- feeling a bit bettr. Do you think he's sobbing sometimes cos he thinks i'm trying to ce him to have more ?

I've noticed that he'll be a bit more lesiurely (hence make me feelbetter) just before a nap.....