Breastfeeding

DS suddenly nursing longer...why????

Preface:  DS is 4 weeks 3 days old...born 5 1/2 weeks early.

So, DS has been nursing consistently for about 15-20 minutes vigorously on one side and then he's done.  Within the last few days though he has been more casual when nursing...suck suck suck swallow pause repeat...and he stays on for at least 30 minutes.  I can even take him off and burp him and he roots while I'm burping him so I put him back on sometimes or switch sides.  And then last night after 45 minutes of this I put him to bed but he was fussing and putting his hands in his mouth so I gave him 2 oz of EBM from a bottle...I just couldn't nurse anymore.  :(  Do you think my supply has dipped?  He has plenty of wet and dirty diapers so I feel like he's "getting enough," but why do you think he's doing this?  We weigh him at home and he's gaining weight.  Is he just finding comfort in nursing?  He falls asleep at the breast at every feeding...and when I try to pull him off he begins the same pattern...suck suck suck swallow pause repeat.  What gives?  He was much more "efficient" before...

Re: DS suddenly nursing longer...why????

  • He has probably hit the 6 week growth spurt.  I wouldn't worry about him being efficient at 5 1/2 weeks.  Let him nurse as long as he needs and as often as he wants.  Sorry that's not much help but be reassured that what he is doing is normal.
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  • Sorry I read his age wrong, but it could still be a growth spurt and either way, I wouldn't worry about it.  As long as he is sucking a swallowing, peeing, and gaining weight, he is doing a good job.
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  • My dd still does this at 2 1/2 months.  She is usually done in 30 minutes but we have days were she is at for 45 minutes to an hour, sometimes I cut her off and let her fuss if I'm getting tired. She usually calms down if I distract her with another activity (diaper change, swing)  because she isn't really hungry and is looking for comfort.  If she doesn't calm down I take a break and then put her back on.
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