Feed

Is your baby putting on weight well and having plenty of wet and dirty nappies? If so you should not need to be topping up with formula! My baby is 7 weeks old and weighs 11.8 pounds. He feeds every 2-3 hours, usually about ten minutes on one breast. Then next feed I make sure I offer the other breast instead. He mostly will come off the breast naturally when he’s done and appear satisfied, sometimes sleepy and turning away from breast/closing mouth. That’s how I tend to know he’s had enough. We have of course had periods of cluster feeding where he just wants to feed much more regularly and I worry he isn’t getting enough - but the nappies and weight gain are reassuring. My HV reassured me that babies feed between 5 - 45 mins and that anything around that is normal! She did not recommend topping up with formula!

@KatyIt’s so strange because my baby is also gaining weight fine. Birth weight was 8pound and today weight 9pound7 and health visitor had no concerns on weight but advised to do a top up feed and to express regularly as well. Usually my baby likes to be fed every 2 hours or so, I give both boobs now or at least offer both. She has recently gone through the night without waking for a feed I asked if I should wake. Hv said no, just feed more in the day ? She wees regularly but poops have slowed down and I was told that’s normal too and to only get concerned if hasn’t gone for 5/7 days x I’m just going to carry on as I am x

I wouldn’t give formula unless absolutely necessary (not putting weight on) but as you’ve said they’ve put on just fine! Some HV just think they know what’s best but you do as the mama ☺️ my son has cluster feeds at times, definitely feed on demand as baby will tell you when they’re hungry x

They advice sounds questionable? Why recommend formula, unless there is a reason? Eg mothers choice, failing to thrive, not enough wet or dirty nappies? I would definitely seek further advice. It is of course your choice, but if you were wondering if it’s best for baby then seek further advice. Sounds concerning that your HV would give this advice.

A nurse friend said the formula may have been advised to make sure enough calories if not feeding in the nights but i can just try feed more during the day? Will see how we go. Baby seems to be sleeping a lot in the day too? X

Doesn’t seem necessary to top up unless there are concerns with wet nappies/weight gain. My LO is 7 weeks and I’ve exclusively BF him so far, it’s hard going and sometimes the feeds last a long time, anything from 10 mins to 45 mins is normal for him.

I wouldn’t worry if baby is sleeping in the day if they’re putting weight on, babies go through lots of leaps which can make them sleep more that they need to grow. If they’re sleeping better in the day than in the night maybe try to rouse them more in the day so they sleep for longer stretches in the night x

This sounds like absolutely rubbish advice from the hv, I can’t understand why she thinks formula is necessary when your baby is gain weight well? Keep doing what you’re doing, they shouldn’t be suggesting formula unless there is a concern with weight. Also I wouldn’t express regularly because you will end up with an oversupply which can lead to mastitis, if your baby is gaining weight your making plenty of milk for your baby x

I would say not to use formula. That’s bad advice in my opinion. Nature designed breastfeeding to be done on its own and to keep your baby healthy. If you start using formula it will disrupt your body’s supply and demand. You and your baby are working together in a delicate balance. Make sure you are drinking a lot of water, especially during feeding, and eating a rich and healthy diet, to make sure your milk is flowing well and is nourishing your baby. If your baby is happy and thriving then you are doing a good job, the proof is in the pudding! You know your body and your baby. I would also say, don’t worry about timings / how often your baby feeds. As long as you feed your baby when he needs it and until satisfied, that’s all that matters. 🤍☺️

It's strange the HV would advise that - can I check if they gave you a percentile for weight? Even though weight did increase it may be possible for the percentile to be lower compared to previous visit or maybe birth (may mean weight gain is slow). Maybe the notes would say?