short feeds for 5 day old?

[Stacie:Emma&Josh Mom]

Hi ladies!  Well things are going rather well with bf, but that's another post...  First question so far is can ds be getting enough from an 8 minute feed on one side?  Sometime it's longer and sometimes even shorter and granted he's still very sleepy, but sometimes nothing keeps him going and he still lasts 2 1/2 to 3 hours until the next feed. He's still wetting and pooping so is he possibly really getting enough in 8 minutes?  I often can't get him to take the other breast or keep going.  Sometimes a diaper change will kick start him again but only for a few minutes.  I know my milk has come in and maybe he's just adjusting to a fuller tummy with milk over colustrum and will go longer later?  TIA

[annamum]

My guess is that he is fine as long as his output is good which you said it is. I had problems with keeping Anna long on my breast too. In a hospital they told me to keep a log of her feeds and that she should eat for at least 20 minutes from each breast. Well, she was never eating for 40 minutes no matter what I tried.

Just observe him as he may soon change his "schedule". He will also may stop being so sleepy and become more interested in boobs.

Good luck!!!

[Pete's Mom]

My son was exactly the same.  He was always done in less then 10 and didn't start to take both sides till close to 3 months.  I remember being so worried the first week since everyone told me it would take much longer for a feeding.  As long as output is good I say you have no worries.  After my milk came in you could really see that for each suck he took he swallowed instead of the usual 2-3 suck per swallow.

[Jennifer2e]

Grayson did the same thing.  I was lucky to get him to eat 10 min.  one side.  It freaked me out.  And the general rule is if he keeps peeing and pooping well he is great.  The other thing is weight gain.  When do you take him in for a weight  check?

[Jessi]

My dd, who is also 5 days old, is doing the same thing right now, so I'm glad you posted.  Also glad to hear from everyone else that it's not uncommon. 

[Stacie:Emma&Josh Mom]

Thank you for the reasurrance.  Ds had a weight check on Friday and has started gaining after losing almost too much in the hospital.  He doesn't have another weight check until 2 weeks from birth so another week to go.  I think he's doing well though.  Thanks!