How can I get 5 mth old to feed for longer?

[knackered]

I've recently started to try and put my 5 1/2 mth old DS on to a 4 hour routine, from being demand fed. The problem is he very rarely feeds for more than 10 mins during the day - and usually not as long as that. Up until last weekend I was also feeding him at least 3 times during the night. I've cut this down to one, but he doesn't seem to be eating that much more during the day. When I try and space his feeds out to 4 hours, he doesn't eat for any longer so this must mean he's actually eating less overall. He's a spirited type and ,he decided fairly early on that he didn't like being fed in the sitting up position, so I always have to lie down to feed him. This has helped his feeding (prior to this shift in position, he'd only feed for a couple of minuted at a time!) but 10 mins is as much as he'll do. So he looks for food at 7am, 8.30, 11, 2.30, 5.30 and then before bed at around 6.30, then df at  10.45pm and wakes at 4ish for more food.

I've recently started some solids at 11 and 5.30 - but he'll breast feed first and straight afterwards.

Any suggestions as to how I get him to cosolidate his feeds?

[Mrs. Gravy]

Some babies get very efficient at emptying the breast, and can actually be finished a whole meal in 10 minutes.

If he doesn't want to nurse, you're not going to be able to make him.  You can try nursing in a quiet room to minimize distractions, but the bottom line is, if he isn't hungry, he's not going to eat.  Keep in mind that bm should still be his main source of nutrition at this age, so if you notice he's nursing less, you may want to consider decreasing or stopping solids, and that should get his bm intake back up to normal.

As long as he's having plenty of wet diapers (6+) each day, seems happy, is gaining well and meeting milestones, I wouldn't worry that he's not getting enough to eat.

Watch your baby - not the clock!

Sounds like you're doing great.

My 10 month old son only likes to nurse for 5-10 min at a time too.  Sleep-wise, he's on a 4-5 hr routine, but he still nurses every 2-3 hrs during the day.  Since it's only for 10 min at a time, I don't mind the frequent feedings.  If he was taking 40+ minutes to nurse, and still wanted to feed every 2 hrs at this age, I might be a bit unhappy with that.  But now, I think it's a nice bonding time for us.  He's only going to be a baby once, so I really try to treasure these moments.  So what if his schedule is more like EAEAEAEASY?  It works for us.  You have to find what works for you.   

[Samuel's mum]

Not all babies suit a 4 hour schedule. I know some people manage it successfully but it's usually because their babies are naturally already heading towards that pattern. If you try and 'stretch' him artificially you may find your milk supply suffers and that could have long-term implications so do be careful. A 10 minute feed is very standard at his age. It's really not possible to push a baby to eat more if they've finished at the breast especially if he's spirited!
I never made it to a 4 hour pattern as it wasn't right for us. In fact we ended up doing more feeds in the few weeks prior to solids. I know this isn't everyone's experience!

[knackered]

Thanks guys - it's reassuring to know that it's normal for a baby to feed like this. The EAEASY seems about right for us - and I may cut back on the solids for a little while, just so he's compensating for the loss of the night feeds. Thanks again!