Breastfeeding...

[fashill]

New mum alert!!! Can someone let me know if it's normal for a baby to feed for over 2 hours?? My son has been going for nearly 2 1/2 hours. My milk has just come in

oh yes!! especially in the evenings during growth spurts.

try the breastfeeding board for more advice.

Yes, normal! You don't have to let him feed forever if you don't want to, but it will encourage your supply if you do let him, at least at first. Babies love to suck. It fills them full of endorphins - the happy hormones.

Thanks for your advice I've obviously just got a greedy boy, he's still going! How can I get him off without grizzling?

maybe let his dad hold him for awhile and he wont smell u and the milk
how old is he? it will settle into a pattern dont worry

He's 5 days old, we're trying that hermykne but he's just not settling, any other suggestions?

Learn how to feed lying down that was the best thing i did. Then i could snooze and dp would keep an eye on us and extract her when finished and put her in moses basket.

If you plan on introducing a bottle, i'd recommend doing this at 4 weeks. I did this on advice of midwife as i was going back to work, people i know who waited longer had trouble getting babies to accept bottle.

DD had ebm when i was at work and bf up until 2yrs from me.

I know you didn't ask i just thought i'd let you know!

Back to the long feeds, enjoy them, cos they really won't last. Its all perfectly normal, your son is just encouraging you to put your feet up and rest as you should be doing. Get in a few magazines, watch trash on tv and have nibbles and drinks within reach.

Has he been sucking for 2 hours or just lying at the breast with the nipple in his mouth sucking periodically? Make sure he is on properly - that most of the areola (especially the underside) is in his mouth. He should also be facing the breast directly (tummy-to-mummy), head slightly tilted backwards - you should be able to see his face.
When fixed properly and sucking effectively, he should not need to be on the breast 2 hours at a time to get a proper feed. He may be there because he likes it

Watch and listen when he feeds. He should initially suck quite quickly when he first latches on. As the milk lets down he should take long, deep sucks and you should hear him swallow as he sucks. As he gets to the end of the feed he will 'flutter suck'. Flutter sucking is good to continue for breast stimulation but it is also a sign that the feed is ending. You can choose to continue or if you have something else to do you could stop the feed. Babies should spit the nipple out spontaneously. If they do (my first ds never did!), wind him, change his nappy, then offer second breast. If he doesn't want it that is fine but do offer. Sometimes even the most zonked out baby will perk up for another go. Leave the nappy till after the first breast to change him because babies invariably poo when they feed (gastro-colic reflex).

If you feel he is lying there not doing much sucking gently blow on his cheek or stroke his feet. DEfinately try and learn to feed lying down. Babies just love being at the breast - it is not all about getting milk - it is being warm and secure, hearing your heartbeat and the lovely feeling.

How are you getting on fashill?

Thanks for all your advice Fran1 and mears, I just love MN

I'm definitely getting the hang of BF and sensing what DS really does need (milk/comforting). I've been managing to feed lying down and that's working well too. Had MW today and she's really pleased as DS has put on 150g when they will normally have lost weight at this stage. I have a really content baby (so far) and we've had 2 really good nights on the trot

mears - thanks for that post - beautifully descriptive and really useful.

hi thee

i am fresco and just had second daughter.ahe is now 7 weeks.is it true that b/feeding stops you from conceiving again?
is it normal to brood again after just having my 2nd baby?

bfing doesn't necessarily stop you from conceiving - it all depends on when your periods start up again, and when you start ovulating. It's possible to get PG before your periods start up again, as sometimes you ovulate in your first cycle after the birth.