6 weeks - feeding 17 times/day

ATLdesi

The "does it get better?" post below made me stop and take notice, because my DS is 6 weeks old (almost 7) and I just realized, he's still feeding VERY frequently - - more so than a lot of other babies on this board!  I'm exclusively breastfeeding, and from day one my son has NEVER been able to do the "every 2-3 hours, for 20 minutes" nursing schedule/frequency that I've read about in so many places.  Rather, he only feeds 10 minutes or less at a time, but eats every 45 mins-1 hour throughout the daytime hours.  At night he has a little mercy on me, going about 3 hours between feeds, but again only eating for 10 minutes or less at a time.  

I just looked at my baby log app, and it seems that DS has averaged between 16-18 feeds a day this entire week.  He was born at 6 lbs. 1 oz, and I think is now in the range of 9 lbs.  He has tons of poopy diapers and appears to be healthy and happy.  Mommy friends of mine tell me not to worry about the "norm" and to just go with the flow, so long as the baby is healthy.  But naturally I'm sort of jealous of those who can do more "effective" feeds that then afford them more free (non-nursing) time throughout the day.  Seriously - being indisposed every 45 minutes, all day long, is exhausting! 

Rosebean

DC2London posted a link to a blog written by a woman who nursed her LO frequently just the other day. You should have a look for it. It can't be that far down. It should make you feel better about your feeding schedule. While you may be feeling like a

wifeofadam

That was my DD1.  She would only nurse for about ten minutes at a time, but wanted to do it every 45 minutes to an hour.  She was always a tiny baby and I worried she wasn't getting enough milk or not a good quality of milk because she never

PnkDingo

Colton will be 7 weeks Monday and he only goes an hour, maybe an hour and a half if I'm not within earshot, between feeds, so I feel your pain.

It is exhausting, but when all is said and done, it's all for the best cause, keeping LO happy <br

Ebee27

Does your baby take a pacifier? You haven't mentioned anything about fussiness and my situation is a bit different, but I thought I'd share my experience anyway... I'm pretty sure my LO wants to suckle all the time but doesn't always want the boob. I star

wells2010

my girl is the same way. she eats almost constantly. with breastfeeding i dont think there really is a "normal." as long as your LO is growing and peeing/pooping, they are ok.

 

i need to remind myself of this all the time. it still i

ATLdesi

Phew, okay, I'm so glad to hear from you all about this issue.  I'll confess, a part of me is just frustrated that I can get absolutely nothing done all day - I mean NOTHING!  Seriously, even going to the bathroom is challenging  

carriesu2003

Wow we are in the same boat from the birth weight to the current weight even.  I have started changing my girl's diaper in the middle of feeding instead of before to wake her up so she takes the other boob.  She went 3 hours between her last

ByGrace22

It's totally normal. All three of mine have been constant nursers.

ATLdesi

Thanks for the continued responses here!  AmyG - your suggestions are super helpful, thank you.  As a matter of fact, I just today instituted use of the sling for the exact reasons you mentioned, haha - - feeling less nutty already  Y

Bride-hilda

I'm right there with you. Some days are worse than others, but it seems like one continuous growth spurt!

No doubt it'll eventually come to an end... right?