Help-time taken to breast feed normal?!

[MsPea]

Hi again. Thanks tiktok for your response to my last qu . Now I am wonderibg whether it is ok that dd, now 2.5 weeks, takes around an hour per feed. My most reliable baby book says if they take over 40 mins it's a sign they're not well latched on. However dd is gaining weight, has wet/dirty nappies and enjoys her feed. My breasts feel empty when she is done and if she comes off in the middle there is milk going everywhere. I do my best to follow my midwives' tips about positioning etc. However this is starting to make me lose heart esp in the night or if bfing outside of home . In bad moments I'm scared I am not taking good care of her. Would really appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.

[trinityshiftingherleatheryarse]

oh darling you are taking great care of her.
I never really looked at the clock when feeding and she is still very young so I don't think this is a problem at all. The fact that she is putting on weight and has regular wet nappies means all seems weell, try not to worry.
someone else will be along soon I'm sure with more solid advice {smile]

[NotQuiteCockney]

If you're not having nipple pain (or worse, cracking) it sounds like taking an hour may just be how your DD is for the moment. Slow feeders do speed up, as they get bigger.

Things you can do to make slow feeding more tolerable for you:

• look into ways to bf on the move (sling?) when you're out and about
  
• see it as a chance to sit still and relax. Read, watch telly, chat on the phone, while doing bf.
  
• try sleeping with your baby, so the long night feeds are less of a hassle. Well, they actually end up nearly no hassle if you cosleep ...

[throckenholt]

they vary .

My longest feed was about 1.5 hours (not sure I would sit there that long now !). They were normally at least 45 mins. But friends babies I have seen feed in about 5-10 minutes. They all were doing it their own way.

As long as they are growing well, and you can cope with sitting down that long (I remember having a really aching b*m after marathon feeds ), then don't worry.

I did get bloody minded with night feeds - I gave him 20 minutes and then decided that was enough !

[suzywong]

yes you are doing a stirling job! Lots of good advice here
Have you ever considered lying down on your side to bf? prop yourself up with a pillow or your elbow, rest you bosom on the bed, and draw baby's tummy to your tummy, arm alongside your or tucked under your supporting arm's armmpit and off you go. It made the 30 minute bed time feeds bearable for me. Good luck.

[NotQuiteCockney]

Oh, should have added, my DS1 would often feed for ... well, it was hard to tell, he would doze and feed and doze and feed for hours and hours. Thank god for my sling.

[MsPea]

Thankyou all so much. Within an hour of posting my qu I am feeling better! I think, having just done some more reading, that dd is also going through a growth spurt, which is why feeding is driving me esp nuts at the moment since there are hours-long periods when she seems to be permanently on my breast. Looks like I need to get the hang of bf in a sling. Does anyone recommend a particular make for this purpose?

[MsPea]

PS: Did anyone else see 'growth spurt' behaviour at this age? (Frequent/incessant feeding, grizzly between feeds, never settling properly).

[3andnomore]

MsPea, can't add much here, but you asked about Slings...and one that is very easy to get the hang off and is good for Breastfeeding is a Ringsling (padded or unpadded) or a Pouch!
The Babywearer website has lots of Info about Slings and reviews, etc....
The babywearer section where they compare suitability of different style carreirs, etc....
HTH

[MsPea]

Thanks! Have got myself a ringsling...