Is 3-4 minutes long enough???

SMJ1106

DD only BF's for 3-4 minutes on one side before getting super fussy... sometimes less.  I then switch her to the other side and she will eat for an additional 1-2 minutes sometimes.  Other times she just gets super fussy and cries when I switch sides - so I sit her up to burp her and she just CRIES and CRIES. 

I know she is becoming a bit more aware of her surroundings but don't think this is the sole reason for her eating such short amounts.  I am on a very restricted diet of oatmeal, chicken and rice due to her food allergies and wonder if I am producing enough milk since I've been losing weight.  I've been trying to eat a lot and drink tons of water, though.  And she even does this when I know she is getting a good amount of milk because she pulls away (and no it's not a forceful letdown issue).

Anyone else have a LO this young that only eats for a few minutes at a time?  FWIW she does eat very frequently (every 2 hours and sometimes less).

ilovemygirls

I think the key is making sure that she's having enough wet/dirty diapers & making sure she is gaining weight & not losing in %.  If you have concerns in that area, I'd get her into the pedi for a weight check.  My oldest would nurse between 45 min-1hour - even close to the time she was a year old she never nursed for under 30 min. She was a tiny little thing (10-20%).   My second was much faster- I'd say on average she was nursing 10min/side and she was my baby who grew a lot faster & was a lot bigger (75%)! 

kacelle

DD sent through a phase around 4.5 months when she did the same thing.  Just keep an eye in diaper output.  As long as there are enough dirty/wet diapers, she should be fine.

shihtzu51

Most of the time DD only nurses for about 5 minutes, and she'll usually only take one side. I know she's getting enough because she has been gaining weight like crazy and when I pump I get about 6-8 oz in 5 minutes. 

MrsMAF

MY LO used to eat 10 minutes on each side like clockwork...now I'm lucky if he does 5 minutes on one side...every great once in a while he'll surprise me and do 8 or so minutes but thats rare. I'm guessing he is getting enough because he has wet diapers all day long, and he is a 15lb 2 month old! LOL 

jb2rn

My son is the same but is gaining (and peeing and pooping) just fine.

Ricola

jb2rn:

My son is the same but is gaining (and peeing and pooping) just fine.

Congratulations, jb, he is beautiful!

knightbaby

I have just the opposite problem. DS takes 30 minutes per side and has done since birth. No idea why he is so slow. It makes getting ready in the AM tough!

 

I think they all go at their own rates. Keep an eye on the weight!

AB25840

My girl only gets about 5 min, sometimes 10 min. I was worried at first to but she has plently of wet diapers and she just had 8 week appointment and turns out shes in the 75% for weight so she is deff getting enough! lol

I have to block feed so i let her stay on one side as long as she likes then 2-3 hours later I do the other side.