The Nursing Baby - Q&A

Deborah, most babies that age nurse from 8 to 12 times (or more!) in a 24 hour period. However, it sounds like your baby gets quite a bit of time at the breast, so maybe the frequency doesn't matter. Does your baby spend at least 90 minutes at the breast each day? If not, try putting your baby to the breast more often. He may be amenable to more sessions.

It's quite normal for babies to fall asleep at every nursing session (even some formula-fed babies do). The feeding signals their brain that they are safe and warm in mommy's arms. The milk itself is also a powerful soporific.

I would, as an initial thought, suggest that your try wearing your baby in a sling and nursing him there. Babies in slings tend to nurse for shorter periods of time, but more frequently, and their naps tend to be shorter and more frequent as well. If you are working on building your supply up so that you don't need the supplementer, try going without it during morning and afternoon and keeping baby in the sling, with full access to feeding as much as he wants. Don't switch breasts until your baby seems fussy at the current breast (this will allow baby access to as much fatty hindmilk as he wants). The more fatty milk a baby gets at a feeding, the more satiated the baby will be.

It's a truism that every baby is different. Some will nurse many times per day without much napping. Others sleep all day and nurse just a few times. If you feel your baby seems healthy and happy when awake, everything is probably all right. If you are worried about your baby getting enough milk, consult the definition of low milk supply to help guide you. Any concerns over decreasing supplements should be discussed with a knowledgable lactation consultant.