My 2 month old who has gained weight really well so far is showing a remarkable decrease in appetite. He was feeding 8-10 times till recently and now he feeds less than 6-8 times. Is that normal. He also seems to feed only 10-15 mins at a breast per feed. Is this normal?
2007-03-19 17:07:09 · 8 answers · asked by concerned mom 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
As long as he is having 5-6 wet diapers a day, and poops that are still breastfed-mustardy-goop (even if they are slightly less often than before), you can be assured that he is getting plenty of milk.
Around this time postpartum, many women's breasts are adjusting to lactation and are becoming more efficient at making milk. Instead of just filling up with milk 24/7 and waiting for baby to empty it, they are filling less and producing more and more milk on the spot *during* each feeding.
At the same time, many babies go through a growth spurt, and once everything has settled again, moms find that the baby has new feeding patterns that are often spaced farther apart than before. Most mothers are anxiously waiting for this to happen! "When will my baby stop feeding every 2 hours?" "How long before the feedings stop taking an hour each?"
I find it cute that, here you are with this wonderful sign that your baby is developing and moving forward, and still want to know "is this normal?" LOL I'm not trying to be mean by giggling, I just find it amusing that we moms will ALWAYS find something to worry about, no matter how well things seem to be going!
I hope you are able to find reassuring answers here. As always, if something about your baby's behavior is troubling you or he doesn't seem well, a call to the dr. is always in order. ;)
Best of luck, and enjoy that baby!
2007-03-19 17:37:31 · answer #1 · answered by LaundryGirl 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
At two months you baby has a more efficient suck. A breastfeeding taking 10-15 minutes is totally normal. However your two month old may be very distracted by what is going on around him maybe you could try nursing in a quiet, darkened room a few times a day.
To tell if baby really is getting enough just continue watching weight gain. The baby should gain at least 4-7 ounces per week.
Wet diapers should number 6-8 but at two months poops may only occur every few days.
2007-03-20 00:41:58 · answer #2 · answered by Carla R 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I believe this is normal for a breastfed baby. As they get older, babies who are breastfed will feed for shorter periods of time because (a) they become more effective at sucking and (b) your breasts become more efficient at releasing milk. So it takes less time for your baby to get the same or in fact more amount of milk.
It is also normal for a newborn to feed every 3 hours or so, and as they get older the time between feeds will increase to 4 hours and then longer. My 5 month old only feeds on average 5 times per day. Provided your baby keeps gaining weight, there is no cause for concern.
2007-03-20 06:34:09 · answer #3 · answered by sharon b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure where you're from, but you may have a public health centre phone # available where there are nurses answering the line that can provide you with some info. They will ask you some questions to get all the information required to give you the appropriate answer. Also, when in doubt, try and get an appointment with the pediatrician. Sometimes it's hard to get an appointment, but if you stress that you're concerned about baby's eating habits, they may get you in right away. Sorry I can't answer more specifically.
2007-03-20 00:13:10 · answer #4 · answered by schizzle 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Count diapers, wet, sloppy, make sure they are in par for the age. Check with your doctor. Infants change their feeding rates all of the time. Some times the little ones go through growth spurts and then some times they barely want to eat.
2007-03-20 00:49:39 · answer #5 · answered by Rocka 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's very normal as long as your baby continues to have poopy diapers each day.
Most women are unaware that your milk changes again around this time. You are now producing foremilk and hindmilk. The foremilk is thin and watery. After that your milk gets thicker and full of nutrients. Babies don't need to eat for as long or as much, because this hindmilk is heavier and more satisfying than your previous milk.
I've been there, too, with my 4 month old. Even with my education I still worried a bit when it happened, but my little girl is very healthy.
Best of luck.
2007-03-20 00:31:23 · answer #6 · answered by sushishishi 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Totally normal. He has gotten more effective at getting milk out of your nipples, plus you are producing more per feeding than you were before. Not to worry, all should be fine as long as he is emptying your breasts each time.
2007-03-20 00:12:04 · answer #7 · answered by n2mama 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He may have simply developed a more efficient suck. As long as he is wetting, pooping, and gaining you have absolutely nothing to worry about!
2007-03-20 00:10:50 · answer #8 · answered by anahahamama 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋