Breastfeeding..how many times for how long?

[Buzzbee63]

So we’ve always struggled with breastfeeding but this last week has been the worst. He suddenly decided to cut his feeds down and now I’m not sure if he’s getting enough. He’s only having 5 minutes every 2.5 hours, then he pulls off screaming. He has reflux but it’s never been this bad before. He’s also teething so have tried to offer it more hoping it’ll help his teeth but he seems to not want to and will arch his back and scream at me. Any ideas? Thanks

If he’s still having plenty of wet nappies and gaining weight then he’s ok.
They get more efficient at feeding over time.
Have you tried burbing him like you do with bottlefed babies? Sometimes they get wind breastfeeding too.

Thanks for your message! Yes plenary of nappies still and he’s gaining about a pound a month, does that sound about right so you think? Yes I’ve burped him since he was born as he he’s just so windy!!

You can check his weight gain pattern against the graphs in his red book. If you’re worried you can give your health visitor a call too.

They're all so different! My eldest would feed for over an hour each time, I spent most of my day feeding him! Gave up around 4 months as it was exhausting.
My youngest was 10 mins max every 4-6 hours. Carried on until he was around 18 months despite going back to work at 3 months because he was just such as easy feeder!

Like others said, if he's gaining and has wet nappies don't worry too much but HV are there for you to go to if you want a listening ear

How old is your little one?

Depending on age, probably teething related or developmental. They go through phases of being fussy. Even if they're on for 5 mins, they can be very efficient at feeding in that time.

I remember my ds was a bit like this around 4-5mo, and I was in touch with an IBCLC lactation consultant who advised as long as he was doing around 3 "good" feeds out of say 8 in a 24hr period then that was ok. I found that the better feeds would be at night when no distraction or when they're due a nap or just waking up.

Thank you, that’s really helpful. He’s 4.5 months and he sounds exactly the same, just trying to to shove a boob in him every time he’s sleepy! Fingers crossed he gets out of this stage soon!

Have you given medication for the teething pain?

DS1 was ruthlessly efficient and happily stayed on the 75th through 10 minute feeds every couple of hours at that age (to the astonishment of a friend whose baby of the same age needed an hour to finish). Both very healthy 10 year old these days. If nappies are ok and weight is being gained you’re fine!