I Need Some Breastfeeding advice..Please!

4oz is ALOT for an 8 week old baby. their tummies are still very small. Most likely 5 minutes is ll she needs at the breast. There are so many different kinds of nursing babies..the buffet kind that like to stay at the breast forever, the effeicient no lidding around nursesr which sounds like your dd. At 8 weeks nursing frequently for a short period doesn't sound unusal and if she is satisfied and growing steadily I think you are doing fine.

Keep in mind also that breastmlk digests much faster than formula hich is why she nirses often but is content longer after formula. Don't second guess yourself and follow your mam instincts!
try here for good advice www.kellymom.com
K
mom to 5 with a 3 month ols nursling
doula & childbirth educator

As others suggest she may just be a very efficient nurser - the bigger babies often are as they are just stronger than the smaller babies - that was absolutely true with my two sons. So, please relax (take a deep breath, take a nice long bath tonite, etc.) and just wait and see how the weight gain is going - that's the true test of whether she's eating enough. You also don't mention if this is a new habit or if this has been her usual pattern or whether she has gained well so far. That may be the key. If this is new, then PLEASE make the pediatrician aware of this and emphasize how different the new behavior is. And, please ask the doctor whether you should be concerned? The primary health concern with big babies is diabetes. I'm assuming that she was monitored closely at the hospital?

And, I do have one word of caution about the formula - that takes much longer to digest, so the baby will not want to feed nearly as soon after having formula. Thus, she is not triggering your body to produce more milk. Also, you don't mention whether

All babies are different. My 1st took about 30-45 min for each feeding. My 2nd took 5-10 min for each feeding. Both were healthy. When she seems to want to nurse very frequently, it could be a growth spurt and she is nursing often to increase your milk supply. Remember, the more formula you give, the less milk you make. If she sleeps ok, has active wake times, is peeing enough and pooping at least every few days and seems to be gaining weight, she's probably fine. Good luck.

My first two were not text book nursers at all. The were fast and furious feeders. They would nurse very quickly, 2-5 minutes, usually on one side only and be done. They were never the 10-20 minutes per side at each feeding kind of babies. I'd say as long as you hear her swallowing, she's peeing, and she's not getting smaller you're probably correct that she's fine. The well-baby check-ups are a necessary way to double check though, just like you said.

One of my children nursed every several hours and for long spurts (born 9#4oz, 20 lbs at 6 months, 25 lbs at a year - started solids at 9 months). The other nursed ALL THE TIME. He was attached to my breast 15 minutes out of every hour. (born 8#3oz, 12 lbs at 6 months, 18 lbs at 1 year. Started solids at 6 months). He's still a good eater and a little kid. My older still only eats a little, 3 times a day, and is a big kid.

As new babies, they both nursed often - probably 15 - 30 minutes every hour or two... their little tummies can't hold as much in the beginning as they do later.

Different kids are different, as long as she is peeing and pooping - don't stress. :) You might try a La Leche League meeting in your area - or at least call a leader. Nothing like the support of other nursing mamas to make you feel better, IME.

S.

I wouldn't worry too much about it, she's probably just an efficient eater. My first son was lazy- it'd take him 30 minutes to an hour to nurse on both sides! My 4 month old son right now has always only nursed between 5-10 minutes on each side from the day he was born. It's like it's all business to him :) He's perfectly healthy and is weighing 15 pounds, 5 ounces at 4 months, so the 5-10 minutes thing works for him. I usually nurse on demand until about 3 months, then I try to get the baby on more of a regular shedule. HTH!

You are getting a lot of great advice B.,
I think everything is fine and she's getting plenty of milk. All three of my kids nurse for a few minutes on each side and were done for 1-2 hours. I read the books and I wanted to BF my first born, my mother didn't with any of us, so I didn't have the support from her. The book said about 10-20 minutes on each side, and she barely would do 5 on each side, you can't always go by the books... And she's still very tiny, I had all 9 pounders too, but they don't have a big tummy yet, so they get full quicker...
Don't worry, I'm sure you little girl is just fine...
God Bless

Hi B., Sounds like you've gotten some good advice and I wouldn't stress too much. She seems to be content. If you're really concerned you can always take her in to your pedi's office just to get a weigh in. Most ask you to make an appointment even though it's with the nurse but then you don't have to wait for her check-ups to make sure she's gaining weight.