Thanks Jennifer-
Were you worried you would "run" out of milk?
That's why I don't want to pump while she's feeding so regularly...although that cluster feeding seemed to last 24-hours and she seems to be back on a 2-2.5 hour schedule now (fingers crossed this continues for now!).

KKB I think you are doing fine. I would try to nurse at least 20 minutes on the side you start with then as long as she wants on the second side.

Thanks Lalle -

She will only nurse for 12-15 minutes on the one side before she's done (sleeping, nipple released) - I'm hoping that's because she's only 5 days old and she'll get more efficient and feed longer but who knows.
It all seems much harder at night : )

I think she is nursing fine for a 5 day old. You are letting her nurse for as long as she will on the first side so that is good. It is harder with an adopted child I think. Simply because your body didn't have the prep of getting up to have to pee umpteen times a night and not being able to be comfortable to sleep which is all prep for being up with baby. I co-slept with my babies so I would just roll over and nurse. Don't worry about her nursing too often worry if she isn't nursing enough. She sounds like she is doing just fine and so are you Momma. Hang in there it will get easier.

KKB - I did worry that I would run out of milk, but everything says that the more that is drained the more that will be made. I did try to do it more when I knew I had more time before the next feed (at night) or when I had more milk (first thing in the morning).
Jennifer

Hi Ladies,

A couple things to help you out...babies undergo growth spurts during which time mom may feel like she's running a race to keep up. These occur approximately at 4 days, 12 days, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months. They are designed to help your breasts meet your baby's needs by ramping up supply and at the same time provide added nutrition to your baby who essentially needs to double their birth weight by about 6 months of age.

Pumping for about 10 minutes after feeds can help but also, if you apply breast compression while feeding, this accomplishes pretty much the same thing. It's like a walz, compress 2 3 let go, compress 2 3 let go.

Milk supply goes according to our natural circadiam rhythm and so we tend to have more milk in the morning and less as the day goes on.

As far as timing is concerned, some babies can drain a breast in 2 minutes flat and others like to take their time and dine so to speak. Feeds should not really exceed an hour and baby would generally let go on their own but some don't. The thing to watch out for is a baby that looks like they are well latched but falls asleep within a minute or two at the breast. This is a baby who may not be transfering milk well and is shutting down to conserve energy. A baby who is well latched and breastfeeding without mom in pain and whose little ears wiggle a bit and swallows can be heard and is gaining weight is doing fine.

Right after birth some babies do lose a bit of weight as they shed excess fluids but they need to be well on their way back to birth weight within 10 days to two weeks or that's a baby who may have an issue. Regarless, they should be back to birth weigth by the latest 3 weeks of age.

If any of this is an issue, please contact a board certified lactation consultant to do a home visit and check everything out. The peace of mind is well worth it. You can find an IBCLC at www.ilca.org

Hope this helps.

Best, Lenore