Breast feeding question.

[becca_3456]

HI my DD is 2 months old and she still eats every 2 to 3 hours during the day but at night she will go 4 to 5 hours at a time. She will only nurse for 5 minutes on each breast and then she will fall asleep. Some times she will only eat on one side for only 5 minutes and fall asleep. She was 6lbs and 10oz when she was born she is now 10lbs and 6ozs. My question is how do I get her to nurse longer? I have plenty of milk so  I am assuming she is eating enough. any advice would be great. thanks

[AnnieBrooke]

I think at this age, going 4 or 5 hours at a time as long as she is not going longer, is perfectly fine at night.  It will keep you from having a problem when she is older and won't stay asleep at night without her customary feeds at 2 hours just because it is a habit.  As long as she is gaining weight and having the normal amount of wet diapers, and as long as she doesn't sleep longer than 5 hours, count yourself lucky.  

[AndiJ78]

I wouldn't wake her eat at this stage, but to keep her awake enough to draw out the hind milk, try tickling her feet a little to keep her awake, unbutton her clothing, etc. Nurse on one side until she empties it (at least 10 minutes for a baby this young) and if she dozes after that, just use the other breast for the next feeding.

[whishingwell]

I remember that when I gave birth to my baby girl 4 years ago a nurse taught me that when the baby falls asleep during nursing, try tickling her chin and some how that makes them start eating again.  It really worked with my daughter, she was and still is 4 years later a lazy eater onlly now the tickling of the chin doesn't work anymore!  Let me know if it works.

Congrats on you baby girl!!

[Me2mommy2b]

Someone once suggested to pump a little before you offer the breast so that she gets the hind milk (the richest in nutrients).  She's gaining weight very nicely so I wouldn't say she's not eating enough.

[mum2beagain]

How are her bowl movements? If they are yellow and runny she is fine, if they are a bit on the greenish side she may not be getting enough hind milk. I would agree with Andi and keep her on the one breast. I always just fed one side per feeding after he wasn't gaining enough because he didn't get enough hind milk when switching sides 1/2 way through a feeding, he was having greenish bowel movements too. They do need the fore milk though; that is where the protiens and antibodies are and of course it helps keep them hydrated, the hind milk contains the highest ratio of fat and helps them gain weight and satisfies thier hunger. As for keeping her awake I always ticked Sam under his arm or along the side of his chin to get him sucking again, very often he still slept but would still feed whilst sleeping.

[becca_3456]

thanks for everyones advice. her poo is kinda greenish so we will try to keep her eating longer. thanks again

[casey's mom]

I would not suggest feeding on one breast only. I did this with my DS and wound up with matitis due to clogged ducts. Each breast needs to be emptied by baby or pump at each feeding or you could get clogged. At least this is what happened to me. The 2nd time around with my DD I offer each breast each time. If I did offer only one breast it was in the middle of the night and wanted to keep her relaxed. I would pump the other breast after the feeding and alternate breasts each time starting with the breast I pumped on the next feeding.
I would blow on my babies face to keep them awake. Just lightly blow.
Just my experience ... good luck!

[ImmortalOne]

wow!  I learned something from you Mum2beagain!  Thank you!  I was totally confused as to why suddenly I'll have green diapers from my 7 week old, when normally its a yellow/orange seedy diaper.  That's seriously good to know.

As for Lilith, I strip her down, or let her comfort nurse (something else I learned!) instead of letting her have a pacifier or anything like that.

[ImmortalOne]

Also, a healthy baby (which it sounds that your little one is) can empty a breast in 15 minutes.  Hope that helps.

[mum2beagain]

There is a risk of getting a clogged duct or engorgemant as Casesy's mom suggests but if your baby has been having greenish diapers it sounds like she isn't emptying your breasts anyway. I would try one side at a time for babies feeding but perhaps pump a little off the other side if necessary if you begin to feel too full ( I did this sometimes when I first changed to one side per feeding to keep comfortable). If you alternate the side you feed from at each feeding each breast will be completely emptied every other time and your body will adjust to this feeding pattern, I have done it for 9 1/2 months without an issue.