trying to extend feed times - please help !

[piggypops]

I am bf my boy - had a few issues since birth which is odd as I bf my daughter 4 years ago for 7 months no problem.

I have a fast let-down and he's always spluttered and coughed with my left boob.  I was asked recently how long he latches on for and I told them it was only for about 15 mins, pulls off but seems satisifed.  They thought it was a very short time for him to be bf'ing and now I'm thinking she's right because I'm finding it hard to extend the time between feeds to 3hours (which shoud be the norm for a 10 week old according to the baby whisperer). 

Thinking about it, this is why I feel so unbelievably exhausted...perhaps he's got used to little and often ?

How can I get him to take more and last longer between feeds.  Should I introduce a bottle of formula at night to see how that goes ?

Thanks in advance

Charlotte

[*Ali*]

Both of mine were down to 6-8 mins within 8wks so 15 mins sounds fine to me, on the long side even

How long is he currently going between feeds? Is he short napping and then wanting to feed sooner because he is awake earlier than the next feed? It may be easier to see your EASY in terms of what times he eats and sleeps.

[piggypops]

hi there thanks for replying.
this is roughly how it goes although it does vary from day to day
6am Awake and feeding (usually because my 4 year old wakes us up !)
7 am Sleep until
9 am Awake and alert.
10 Sleep

12 Awake and feeding
1pm Asleep
2.30 Crying for feed (usually feed him then he falls asleep straight away)

4pm Awake and feeding
5pm Short nap

6pm Awake and feeding
7pm Sleep

8.30pm to 10 pm very fussy and wanting cluster feeds
10.30 pm Sleep

2am feed

4.30am feed

6 am feed


All 'A's are now with me or 4 year old entertaining him, or him in his bouncy chair.
He's very big (around 13 lbs for a 10 weeks old) and has just recovered from a stint in Hospital with Bronchiolitis. However this 'pattern' has been like this even before he was in hospital.  Just deperate to start him on a routine to get some rest !

thanks
x

[littlechels]

I am also trying to extend my times between feedings.  My 4mo is 17 lbs, and still eats every 2 hrs.  This is the pattern we got into in the hospital and have just stuck with it.  I am starting the Sleeping book, and read the 4/4 rule... that is a dream! I would love it if we had 4 hrs between feedings!  At night, he sticks with 3 hrs between feedings...   so not much sleep for me!  I will look forward to the reponses you get!
Chelsea

[*Ali*]

Firstly I just wanted to ask that you bear in mind that breast feeding knowledge has developed since the BW books were written and we like to think that Tracy would have updated them to reflect that had she still been with us. Breast milk is so easily digestible compared to formula so it is common for BFed LOs to feed more often for longer. Many LOs take until after 6mo when solids are established to make it to 4hrs between feeds.

It's of course up to you if you wish to mix feed and offer formula but what you describe is normal and he doesn't need it for himself.

If you have a fast letdown then it will help to feed laidback so the milk is working against gravity and will be easier for him to handle. Some mamas also find it easier to take LO off and let the spray into a towel until it subsides and then put LO back on the breast. This will make it easier to handle for baby but also help him get to the fatty hindmilk which can sometimes get left behind if the foremilk is flowing quickly.

Could you just clarify the morning feed times for me? Your routine listed about only shows a 6am and 12 noon feed and none in between. Did you miss one or more? 
At 9am perhaps? If so your morning looks good.
Is he sleeping from 1-4 with just a quick wake for a feed in between? So it is really from 2.30 onwards that he is feeding often. It can be normal for LOs to clusterfeed in the evening. He may actually be having trouble settling down to bed at night until quite late as he is having quite short A times around 1 hour. I would perhaps try extending them by 10-15 mins which may help get the feeds and sleep back in sync.

[Me.and.my.two.boys]

15 mins sounds good to me. C is 9 weeks today and he feeds between 10 and 15 each time. He never goes longer than 3 hours during the day, sometimes 2.5. I has him weighed last week and he was 12lbs so similar size to your LO.

I have given formula (when I needed DP to do a feed and I couldn't express enough) and if didn't make him last any longer between feeds. He drank 6oz and was still up 3hr later so I wouldn't introduce formula just for that reason.

Hugs, it is tough some days/nights - sometimes I want to sleep right through and have DP do all feeds but I obv don't, I just persevere and know its worth it

[Fiver]

Also worth bearing in mind that it won't be like this forever, which I'm sure you know from your daughter.  I know it doesn't feel like it in the moment, but it's such a comparably short time.  You CAN get through this

[piggypops]

thanks ladies -
with regards to feed times in the morning, this is usually when he's fussy and wants more breast.  Anything from between 9.30 to 11 am he'll be hungry (I know this because he definately wants to take both breasts) but sometimes snacks on just one.
I'm wondering if I give in too easily (not to sound punitive) but perhaps I should have a better resolve to get him to extend more rather than offer the breast just to stop him crying ?

[Fiver]

There can be all sorts of reasons why LOs cry.  If he's only had a feed an hour or so before, it might be worth checking out other reasons first before offering milk.

And I wouldn't say to just take 1 side (when LO often takes 2) would be 'snacking'.  Sometimes I feel more hungry at breakfast times than I do another day.  I might have 1 slice of toast today, but want 2 tomorrow.  If LO is full and content after 1 side, that's not a problem