Hey mumma's
8 day old Bub is wanting to feed every 1-2 hours, and I feel as though I either don't have enough milk, or my technique is wrong - his weight is good, so he's getting enough, just not sure if there could be a more efficient way?
I've been told conflicting advice from midwives - one told me to leave him on the one side until it's fully depleted, that way the next side will be full in time for the next feed.
Another told me to always offer the second side, especially if he drops off the first or falls asleep.
The first way, he always seems to want more, and the second way I feel I don't have enough milk in either side for the next time round.
He also really doesn't sleep much for a newborn - about 10 - 12 hours over a 24 hour period. Am worried the feeding may have something to do with it?
Any tips?
9 Replies
This is all completely normal. A newborn baby's tummy is tiny so they need small, frequent feeds. Breastmilk also has everything nutritionally that your son needs so it is digested easier than formula, which means he may need to feed more often. Your bub needs to build your supply to suit his needs so will cluster feed and every 1-2 hours is normal. As long as baby is having 6-8 wet nappies and gaining weight then I wouldn't stress about how often he feeds. The Aus breastfeeding association have a 24/7 hotline you can call
And I usually drain 1 breast then offer the 2nd side. I will start the next feed on the second side. Seemed to suit both my girls. My first fed 1-2 hourly from birth and my second feeds 2.5-3 hourly since birth. Both gained weight consistently & well. Also it's normal for breasts to feel less engorged as baby grows and your milk settles in. You will always have milk in there even if they are soft
Sounds like normal newborn behaviour. Feed as often Bub wants and go with your instinct about 1 or 2 sides (it depended on time of day if I'd wake Bub back up to have the second side or if I felt like sleep was more important then boob at that point. So just do what you feel is right there)
As for he frequency, your supply is still building so the more you feed, the better. It's SOOOOOO good, just do it. Constantly if you have to because IT DOES GET BETTER IT DOES GET EASIER
also, flat, soft and deflated boobs doesn't mean ANYTHING. You'd still have milk coming. Even woman with small breasts, still make LOTS of milk. Your boobs are pretty much NEVER empty! Constantly producing
I will add, only time I'd worry about your breasts not doing their job is if you're feeding constantly and he isn't gaining or losing weight but in your case, he is doing awesome and so are you!! Keep it up
Thanks for the feedback it does make me feel a bit better - the other thing i forgot to add - he will happily be on there for up to 45 mins!! I don't always hear him swallow but if I see he's slowed down and I try to take him off I can see there's still milk there. Is that normal?
It can be, babies this age can be quite inefficient in there eating. So over time they get faster, fall asleep less while feeding etc at this stage it can feel like they are on the boob for long periods of time and with short gaps.
I admire anyone who can manage to breastfeed a newborn while managing other children.
My bottle fed son wanted to feed every 1 to 2 hours also. He was just a super hungry baby and he also had a strong need to suckle for comfort (so often I found myself feeding him for comfort Rather than hunger). I would try to offer my boy smaller feeds more often and I would use a dummy to tide him over to next feed.
I hope this is relevant as I have very little breast feeding experience, but it does sound pretty normal.
Watch your baby, follow your instincts. Let him lead you. Don't follow every instruction to the letter, you'll just stress yourself out. At this age my (now 6 year old) bub drained one breast over 45 mins on one side then would feed on the other probably 2 hours later. Many told me to offer the other side but she just didn't need it. I did what worked for us until it didn't. Your milk supply will be still settling in and it takes a good 6 weeks before your body really gets used to the way your baby feeds. Keep it up Mama, you're doing well!
I always offered both, but they might not have much from 2nd so I'd start there next feed.
All going well, your milk will replenish regardless of how often bub feeds.
Maybe try a one sided feed of bub and express from the other side to see how much you get out, then feed that to bub next time and see how much he gets.
As long as Bub is gaining weight, it's just a matter of developing a rhythm, relaxing, and accepting all babies are different