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| Cosleeping Babywearing Breastfeeding |
| Public online group |
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My little one that is almost 6 months is a quick feed, always has been. at the most she spends maybe 5 minutes at one breast and is done for 2 1/2 hours to 4 hours. Even at night she wakes up enough for me to notice and I breastfeed in bed and only one side and 5 minutes at most. When she is done she is done. I try to give her the other breast but either does not take it at all or just for a little bit and doesn' take much of the letdown. @ 4 months she was in the 50% for weight& head and the 75% for height, so to me she looks skinny, Dr says she is perfctly fine and that she is just very effeicient and that my boobs are FAST, they are. She had a hard time of it for the first few weeks but she has caught up now.
Any ideas would be great. Thanks in advance.
Jennnifer |
| Posted by Jennifer on 11/18/2008 11:27 AM
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| Pump....EAT....Pump...EAT!!! You need to pump no matter how much your baby nurses. Completely empty your breast and make sure your eating a well balanced diet...Good luck! |
| posted by Johnnia on 11/18/2008 12:25 PM
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Jennifer, you're probably fine. My son was a quick feed, too. When I left the hospital, the nurses told me he should be feeding anywhere from 30-45 min each feeding from each breast. It would only take him 5 min from one, and he was done.
My pediatrician suggested (since I was so concerned) that I have a lactation consultant come to my house (my son was 10 weeks at the time). I didn't feed my son for 2 hours before she got there to make sure his stomach was empty. First, she weighed him. Then she watched him latch on to make sure he was on correctly. After that, she watched me feed him. Once again, he was done in 5 min. She weighed him again after the feeding and told me the amount he gulped down was perfect for his age (I can't remember how many ounces b/c it was so long ago). It turns out I just had a really fast let down and was very effecient at getting the milk out. He was a very efficient feeder and had a strong sucking reflex. With all those factors added up, it only took him 5 min to do his thing. (---By the way, when he was first born, my milk came out so fast he would kind of choke and cough. He learned early on to swallow fast.)
So, think of your 'problem' as a blessing. If your pediatrician feels your daughter is on track, be glad it only takes you 5 min to feed. I remember this being a blessing at night. Quick feed and right back to sleep.
However, if you're still worried, find a lactation consultant in your area, or even the Le Leche League. They'll probably do the same thing that my lactation consultant did.
If you're worried about the other breast staying full, then pump. It never hurts to have extra milk around.
Good luck! |
| posted by Allison on 11/18/2008 06:31 PM
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| By the way, I hope I answered your post correctly. I just looked at the title which asks 'How can I increase my milk supply?', but your story doesn't indicate that you have a supply problem. Anyway, if you're looking to increase your supply, I agree with the first poster: nurse, eat and pump. |
| posted by Allison on 11/18/2008 06:35 PM
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I had the same "problem" as Allison... forceful letdown, baby was/is a strong suckler (it took until 2-3 months of age before she could handle the flow and stop coughing and sputtering when letdown kicked in). Like you, I was worried b/c feedings were 5 mins and then she was sleeping again.
She also didn't feed on both sides-one side per feeding because she was getting so much. I pumped (partly) because I had no idea how much my breasts were making. I was surprised at how much each side makes, and she was satisfied with just one breast per feeding. I just alternated each time.
If you are concerned with your supply, do what other posters said (nurse, eat, & pump), and also make sure your fluid intake is sufficient and that you're getting enough rest. Oatmeal might help as well (it sure can't hurt to try). |
| posted by Bethany on 11/18/2008 06:51 PM
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| to add to allison - "nurse, eat, pump", and SLEEP. :) |
| posted by runa on 11/23/2008 04:31 PM
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thanks everyone for your advice. I have been trying to increase my fluids and get one or two more snacks in a day, resting more is a lost cause between the 5 month old and a diabetic 4 yearold. I think I have to go out and get an electric pump cause my handheld just doesn't do anything if I have nursed recently. thanks.
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| posted by Jennifer on 11/23/2008 05:37 PM
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OOOOOH!!! You gotta get rid of that hand held. The best breast pump on the market is made by Medela. I will warn you, though, it is quite pricey ($250.00). If this is too expensive for you, beg your husband, relatives, whomever, to get you an early holiday present. I have one with a double pump. So, every time I breastfed, and my son fell asleep, I would pump both breasts. It literally would only take me 5-10 min to empty both breasts. It is probably one of the best investments we made. The difference between the hand pump and the Medela are night and day.
**Also, Medela almost never discounts their products, so if you find a pump at one store, it is likely going to be the same price at every store and online. Additionally, do not buy a used pump. Things like HIV and hepatitis can be transmitted through breast milk. Good luck to ya! |
| posted by Allison on 11/26/2008 12:47 PM
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| Thanks, I only had a hand held pump for the beginning when I Needed some releif from engorgement and had not planned on pumping at all, did not do it with the first, but she was on me every hour or two and built up my supply quickly. My little one has been taking both breasts at night now and my husband has noticed an increase. So i think we are good to go again and we have her 6 month appointment on Monday so I will know if I need to go and get the electric pump or if I am just worring for nothing. |
| posted by Jennifer on 11/26/2008 01:44 PM
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