can u over feed a breastfeeding baby

[kallaroo]

i read in bw to find out about your supply do a yield of milk before a feed, but it didnt say how much is average. i did this for a 7pm feed and got 100mls.

also can u over feed a breastfed baby. i have an 11 week old who is on 3 hr easy.and he is over 15pnds-a real baby buddah. My nurse says that she thinks you cant but she knows doctors who say that u can. She thinks i should demand feed him.
He doesnt cry for his food but will take it when it is offered,sometimes he seems a little disinterested. he can go longer at times but i havent put him on 3.5 as his activity time is still only 1hr10mins.  I also find that alot of times he doesnt take himself off the breast.  when he does he would do this in the 20-30 min mark, but today he was still going at 40mins- im not sure if he just continues suckling for comfort and im not sure should i take him off. i did do this and it hasnt seemed to bother him.
Thanks

[Katet]

I have had 2 big babies (approx 17lb at 3mo) & both slimmed down dramatically as they got older.
I don't think you can over feed a bf baby & also bf is also about "comfort" so unless he is using you to suckle to fall asleep then I wouldn't worry some times they feed longer, others shorter... my first fed for 45-60mins every feed until 3mo & then dropped to about 20-30mins, while my 2nd never fed longer than 20mins unless he was really needing some mummy suckle time & then he would feed for 45mins & fall asleep doing it.
I think 3 hours at this age for a bf baby is fine... moving to 3.5 hours really should only take place when he is ready to do longer A time

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

From what I've read and my personal beliefs, no, you can't overfeed a bf baby (unless you're supplementing with bottle - EBM or formula).

If his A time is still too short for a 3.5 EASY, then I wouldn't push it, however, you can always vary the EASY throughout the day if you really think he's not hungry (EAS, then AEAS, etc.).  But if he takes a good feed and he's sleeping well and happy and gaining weight well, then I wouldn't change a thing that you're doing!

As for the time he sucks - I suspect it switches from eating to comfort.  Watch his jaw for long slow sucks with pauses - that's when he's swallowing. When he starts doing short little fast sucks, that's probably just comfort.  You could do breast compression to see if he's still interested (there's a link in the FAQ about it), or take him off and see how he does.  He might be done eating and ready to play!

Sounds like you're doing great listening to his cues!  

[daisymelan]

I have been able to hear both my los swallow so that can be an indicator as well.