Signal for end of feeding in 5 week old?

[scarlotti]

How am I supposed to know when DS2 has finished feeding as opposed to having a break? He's 5 weeks and ebf. I have quite a fast let down so he'll feed well for about 10 mins then come off himself, sometimes sleepy. He'll bring up milk as if he's drunk too much. 5 or 10 mins later he'll be fussing again and will feed if it's offered. Cue the same thing over again.

Hv said today he'd give an obvious signal that he's done, but I'm not seeing it.
He's gaining weght well but I'm feeling like I'm cutting feeds before he's done in order to get out or on with other things as have 2 other dc's.

If he doesn't have any more after the first 10/15 mins then it will keep him going for about 2 hours or so, so he's quite efficient.

It might well be it's all fine, if so I'd love to be able to relax and just go with it.
Any similar feeders out there? Any tips?

I had the same with a fast let down. I found out it was wind.

In really young ones it makes them stop and go to sleep. In older ones (around 4 months it makes them stop and sit up as if they are finished, or wriggle).

My advice would be to get the wind out if you can, then carry on feeding. I found the best way to do this with DS was to do the doll baby thing where you lie them on their back, then slowly sit them up forwards, then lie them back again and do it again. Worked like a treat!

Fast let down a real mixed blessing! Its so stressful when they choke on it.

Good luck.

Thanks, that would make sense. I'll give it a go. Would be bliss to have a 20/30 min feed take that long, rather than the hour or more it takes at the moment!

her is giving you an obvious signal when he is finished, he comes off!

sometimes, he decides he's hungry again quite soon after- which is normal!

when they are hungry the arms and fists are clenched up to chest and head.
wen sated, the arms and hands fall down by their sides, according to bf mag i read in hospital.

thisisyesterday - my ds used to be permanently latched until you removed him gently. And I mean permanently - we would both fall asleep and wake up hours later in the same position with him still latched on! I found the arms floppy and down by sides a good sign. Also if they haven't finished and you de-latch them they let you know all about it!

Hadn't heard about the arms before, will bear that in mind.

I know it probably seems like a silly thing not to know but I'm just not fully confident in feeding yet

Sounds a lot like wind to me - often babies bring up a little milk with wind. Try winding after he comes off then offering more.

I wasn't confident either for a while - 'is there anything in there?' even when the milk was spraying everywhere!!!

My ds was permanently latched on too. He had been a very sleepy baby (used to have to rub his arms and legs and sing the spiderman theme music to keep him awake during feeds, set the alarm clock at night to wake him for a feed etc Those were the days!!). His little chin would still be going even when he was asleep. He used to do that in the moses basket when asleep too - I think he was dreaming about boobies!!!

my 2.7 DD still does that funny sucking thing where you can see their tongue when she gets tired. and the funny sound to go with it! Just hope she grows out of it before she is 18

dont hold your breath, my 6.5 year old does the sucky thing too.
monkey chops.