is this normal...bfeeding

A who is 16 days today started out feeding every 4 or 5 hours and I had to wake her she wasnt really that fussed but this last 3 days shes a milk monster she wants it every hour or so and is on for 20 mins and sometimes 20 on the other side whereas previously it was only about 9 mins each feed and only one side, is this how its going to be now or is it a phase?

i'm strugling....have a 2yo to look after too...

I think everything is normal when it comes to bfing! Andrew used to feed about every hour for a while, for up to about 45 minutes. It was just a phase in that he wasn't still doing that at say 3 months but I do remember him feeding a LOT in the early days. I know it's hard work but I think overall it's a great sign that your LO is so keen on feeding.

It must be difficult to feed a newborn with a toddler too. I'm wondering how I'm going to cope myself when my LO arrives!

what are the chances of 2 Hutchys!! I like it!

thanks for the response, I guess your right and she was so small compared to my son (6.8) that I can actually see the weight creeping on, mind you with an apetite like this its no wonder.....to be honest I was worrying I should be making her wait but I suppose breast feeding is supposed to be on demand......

I'm by no means an expert as I am still new to BFing, but I have been told that a feed of between 10-20 mins on each side is a good feed.  I think there is a bit of a growth spurt around 3 weeks too, so maybe you are going through this?

I never realised just how blimmin' hard BFing is, so here's a from me x

There is definitely a growth spurt and three weeks so you could be starting this.  BF'ing is hard work so make sure you are resting as much as you can and that you are eating and drinking as well.

Sounds totally normal, probably a growth spurt. That's what Harriet fed like. I spent the first two weeks trying to make her feed longer and the next six wondering when she'd stop! Pippa was like that from the start tho. I was lucky that Harriet was very good whilst I was feeding and had lots of stories next to me or coloured in near me or watched a DVD.

Sounds normal - try and eat well and drink plenty. It'll get better, promise.

Hutchy:

what are the chances of 2 Hutchys!! I like it!

 

thanks for the response, I guess your right and she was so small compared to my son (6.8) that I can actually see the weight creeping on, mind you with an apetite like this its no wonder.....to be honest I was worrying I should be making her wait but I suppose breast feeding is supposed to be on demand......

 

I know, I did admire your choice of username . Andrew was 6.14, so a similar size to your LO. He put on weight very quickly with all his feeding (I fed him on demand) but it doesn't seem to have done him any harm as his weight gain levelled off after a while and he is a healthy toddler, not overweight at all. I think during his really mammoth feeds he was sometimes suckling rather than actually taking in much milk. I tried to get him to take a dummy to give me a bit of a break but he wouldn't take it...

Also as others have said the three week growth spurt always increases milk demand!

Austin is now 3 weeks (22 days today) and has been "growth spurting" since Monday.  pertty much what you describe!  He still sometimes goes as long as 3 hours between feeds but often its only 2 and sometimes just 1.5 hours.  He also varies between 15-20 mins one side, up to an hours feed, feeding from bith sides.

There is no pattern to it, and I can't predict at all what he will do at each feed!  I am assuming that he is still working out for himself how much he needs!