Do you ever worry that your EBF baby doesn't eat enough?

88eve88 · June 2012

I can't tell if DS is just EXTREMELY efficient now or he's not nursing long enough to get the nutrition he needs. I don't see many hunger cues anymore, so I offer every 2 to 2.5 hours, but it seems like he's barely there long enough to eat anything.

We've been EBF for almost 5 months now, so I would assume my supply is fine. Yes, I am counting wet/poopy diapers and according to the doctor, he's gaining and growing like a champ, but I just can't shake the feeling. You know what I mean?

Amberrrr · June 2012

Don't even worry. He's having tons of fun at this age and discovering the world around him. He will never let himself go hungry.

I still think mine eats quite a bit! One to two hours..

pinkshades05 · June 2012

DD has been doing the same--popping after a couple minutes to stare at who knows what. But like pp said, they won't let themselves go hungry and if your doctor isn't concerned, then don't worry

I think this is just a part of the age!

laura.noel · June 2012

Yes! I try really hard to push those thoughts out, but they're still there. We had issues with slow weight gain at first, too, but he's catching up really well now, so we must be doing something right, and I just have to keep telling myself that.

I am neurotic enough about it that we own a baby scale.

mkarns · June 2012

I am worried constantly about this...If my boobs arent engorged I feel like there is nothing there to feed him! Then I think im starving him.

KatelynEA90 · June 2012

DD is really efficient now. People often comment things like "She's done already?!" Yup.

I think gaining and growing is all the reassurance you need. You are doing a wonderful job.

88eve88 · June 2012

Starbuck128:
Not since his two week appointment when he weighed 1.5 lbs over his birth weight. Cody has always been an efficient eater even during those first few days. 8 minutes was a long nursing session then, so his eating just for a few minutes every couple of hours these days doesn't worry me.

I think this is part of my psychosis! DS used to be a sleepy nurser and bf sessions used to take 1+ hours. So, we're at 5-10 minute sessions now, and it doesn't seem like enough ... I just need to get over it!

Thanks for the reassurances, ladies! I just have to keep reminding myself that DS will not starve himself. )

88eve88 · June 2012

laura.noel:
Yes! I try really hard to push those thoughts out, but they're still there. We had issues with slow weight gain at first, too, but he's catching up really well now, so we must be doing something right, and I just have to keep telling myself that.
I am neurotic enough about it that we own a baby scale.

Exactly us! Except we don't own a baby scale ... although I thought about getting one many times.

DS also took forever to gain his birth weight back and the LC we had kept harping on it, so naturally, I worried about it a lot!

88eve88 · June 2012

mkarns:
I am worried constantly about this...If my boobs arent engorged I feel like there is nothing there to feed him! Then I think im starving him.

Oh god, me too!! I am at my calmest first thing in the morning when my boobs are heavy and full. Go figure. )

NatesLady1309 · June 2012

Addy has gotten much faster recently too. Down to 10-15 mins total now. Every 3 hours is our norm (except at night).

laura.noel · June 2012

88eve88:
Starbuck128:
Not since his two week appointment when he weighed 1.5 lbs over his birth weight. Cody has always been an efficient eater even during those first few days. 8 minutes was a long nursing session then, so his eating just for a few minutes every couple of hours these days doesn't worry me.
I think this is part of my psychosis! DS used to be a sleepy nurser and bf sessions used to take 1+ hours. So, we're at 5-10 minute sessions now, and it doesn't seem like enough ... I just need to get over it!
Thanks for the reassurances, ladies! I just have to keep reminding myself that DS will not starve himself. )

This too. We used to take over an hour. It's still usually 20-30 minutes, when it's really efficient 15, but it still seems short.

pennyandandy · June 2012

Starbuck128:
Not since his two week appointment when he weighed 1.5 lbs over his birth weight. Cody has always been an efficient eater even during those first few days. 8 minutes was a long nursing session then, so his eating just for a few minutes every couple of hours these days doesn't worry me.

This is us, totally. Thank you for this post, though, I have been feeling this way the last few weeks, especially since starting solids. He was eating every 1.5-2 hours during the 4 month wakeful, and now all of the sudden he is eating for like, 5 minutes every 2-3 hours. I keep worrying that maybe the 2 oz. of solids he's getting is derailing his EBF and I'm doing something wrong. Then I realize how dumb that sounds, but it's so hard not to second guess.

bluejayway · June 2012

No. They get super efficient! Also, your supply regulates after a while and you don't leak and get as hugely engorged. I think by 7 months, I wasn't even wearing breast pads with my first DD anymore. There are some days with DD2 lately where she hardly nurses during the day, even though I offer. She makes up for it with a marathon sesh before bed (in the dark and quiet). She's in the 95th percentile for weight, and off the chart for height, so she's not ginna starve!