Why does ds never seem full?

[NewKnickersFromSantaOnMaHead]

Ds is just over 5weeks. his weight chart is

Birth - 9lb 11oz
10days - 10lb 8 1/2oz
4 weeks - 11lb 14oz

So he is obviously putting on weight. The thing is, he can be feeding for over an hour, then will want feeding again no more than an hour later. He isnt suckling for comfort as he spits my little finger out but doesnt do that when not hungry.

I know he is only young so not bothered about a routine and I always said I would feed on demand. I am even co-'sleeping' so he can feed when he wants but having my norks out all the time is stopping me from doing anything.

He never seems full. So is there something up with my milk? I really dont want to go the top up with formula route.
Have hv coming later to get him weighed again for his 6week check.

Hi - congratulations on the birth of your DS!

Hang on in there - you're nearly there... My DD was the same. For the first 8 or so weeks of her life, I felt like I was never going to get out of my rocking chair; but suddenly they can go longer without a feed.

Keep up the good work. I've demand fed all the way, and believe me, it really does get easier, and it's so worth it.

And when it's over, you won't even remember the weeks when you couldn't do stuff. It passes really quickly. I know that while you're at it it seems it's neverending, but it's not. Is he cluster-feeding in the evenings too?

Just try to go with the flow.

And, no - nothing at all wrong with your milk! They just like to feed a little and a lot when they're tiny. They're not super efficient at extracting milk in the first weeks, and their tummies are so little they need frequent topping up.

no advice but i'm so glad to read these posts from so many women daily..my dd2 who's 5 weeks old is the same and i need these posts to keep me going... dh doesn't really understand, he obviously forgot completely how it went with dd1 4 yeas ago....
good luck, we'll get there in the end!

Hi MimieD - yes, Mumsnet was invaluable to me at that stage: just having lots of people saying, "me too!" and "this is normal", was so comforting. It's amazing how just that little bit of encouragement and reassurance can make the difference to whether you keep going or not.

Congratulations to you too on your DD!!

No advice, just stick with it. I found these bouts didn't last more than a few days (by which time I was on my knees) and knowing that allowed me to keep going. At least with breast feeding you do get some happy hormone when they are latched on. Sod the housework/visiting/anyone else, snuggle up with your baby and enjoy his milky chops!

poor you! it should get better!
are you offering both breasts at each feed? has someone checked your latch? i had absolutely no pain or nipple problems with feeding but dd did seem to feed so frequently, I learned about the assymetric latch and it made a big differnece.

google Jack Newman and birth den, there are some good videos and articles about the assymetric latch and breast compression. compression is supposed to stimulate a further letdown reflex, i found it very useful in the first few months. the kellymom website also has lots of useful articles and references.

to speak to someone locally contact NCT or la leche league. your health visitor may be able to point you in the direction of a local b-feeding counsellor.

Thank you

Yes he cluster feeds in the evening and through the night too. I dont mind sitting and feeding him but dd is getting bored being in the house all the time.
Its a pita to get ready to go anywhere.
Feed ds.
Get dd's coat and shoes one.
Ds's coat on.
Me coat on then he wants feeding again and I end up missing the hourly bus.

MimieD, when ws your dd2 born?

hi, dd2 was born nov 5th. And she's the same as your ds, every time i get ready to leave, either shop or schoolrun, she wants a boob!
In the evening she cluster feeds although she has taken both breasts the last couple of nights with her last feed (10ish). doesn't mean she's ready to sleep though afterwards...evenings is when she is really awake... co-slept last night as well as she didn't want to settle in her Amby... All I want for Christmas this year is some sleep

Same here ds was born Halloween.

Twoboots Thank you for the information, I've just had a lookat a couple of videos for the assymetric latch and it does look like it really helps! Will be trying that!

Drat these babies - no idea of bus timetables at all

Knickers, your baby is gaining weight quickly and his feeding pattern is entirely consistent with that. Hour gaps between the end of one feed and the start of another is not a sign of the baby 'never being full' - it is a sign of the baby having a perfectly normal need to feed 2 hourly ( which is the pattern you describe).

I think checking latch is unlikely to change much (unless there is something else going on eg soreness), personally, as this level of frequency is not abnormal. But no harm in thinking about it

It is a difficult stage esp when you have other children and things to do..but it does not last.

Well, he has been weighed today and is now 12lb 9oz.

HV not worried so I'm not going to either.

Tgank you everyone.

You might want to get a ring or wrap sling - then he can feed all he likes, and you and DD can go out. I used to feed DS walking around the supermarket etc, and no one was any the wiser