If you successfully EBF...

SunAndRain · August 2012

How long does your baby nurse for per session?

I am trying to figure out how long my 1 month old should nurse for in order to get an adequate amount. Right now I am supplementing with formula but I'm trying to shift to EBF as my supply appears to be increasing.

I'm feeding on demand but she falls asleep after a few minutes of BF, of course only to wake not too long after hungry again.

laoch101 · August 2012

For me I look for unclenched fists and relax body posture. We're on the path to EBF and have reduce down to only two bottles. I fed both breast all day until she gets super fussy in the afternoon. Then I give a bottle. Plus we do a bottle before bed. The big things are weight checks that gives me piece of mind about her having enough. Also if you are able to find a moment to pump you can supplement that way too.

Good luck. I'm hoping her soon we will be EBF. I'm just thankful we found a formula that works well on the first try.

LCmomma · August 2012

I have the same thoughts in mind. I don't have much advice on the subject since I'm having similar issues. Although I am ebf, I am not supplimenting. She seems to be gaining although I dont like having the gaps inbetween the weigh ins. I can't tell how much she in consuming with each feeding. But, trying to keep her awake doesn't help. All the things people say to do, burping, making her cold, tickling feet, etc.... She just gets mad and once shes back on the breast she just falls asleep. Do you have a pump where you can add in while the baby sleeps? That may help you with your supply increasing faster. Good luck. Hopefully, someone will have some good input on your situation.

ncbelle · August 2012

There's no easy answer to that question - some month olds need to nurse an hours; some are full in 5 minutes. Lots of variables at play. If she's falling asleep after only a few minutes and you've been working on building supply, you probably need to work on waking her and encouraging her to nurse more. How often is she nursing?

jlsimon56 · August 2012

At 1 month, my LO nursed for over an hour each time. That's extreme, though.

I would think about rearranging your LO's "schedule" so you're nursing after waking, which is when babies are more alert/awake. Try changing a diaper then nursing.

SunAndRain · August 2012

ncbelle:
There's no easy answer to that question - some month olds need to nurse an hours; some are full in 5 minutes. Lots of variables at play. If she's falling asleep after only a few minutes and you've been working on building supply, you probably need to work on waking her and encouraging her to nurse more. How often is she nursing?

I'm nursing her about 6 times per day on demand; times vary. Other feedings are bottle, either expressed breast milk or formula.

So I think I'll try breast milk during the day and then formula in the evening when we want her to sleep longer.

Keeping her awake is a real challange. Sometimes she'll BF for 15-20 minutes solid and other time fall asleep after a few minutes, as I mentioned.

jennyann28 · August 2012

Giving your baby formula is not going to make her sleep longer. Like PP suggested, really work on keeping her awake. If you try every trick in the book and she still wants to sleep, then BF her again when she wakes, even if it hasn't been that long.

kateland3 · August 2012

before DD really woke up for feeds, i would feed her when she woke up AND to put her down for a nap. sometimes it ended up being every hour, but it really helps your supply and baby weight gain.

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