Can you help a baby eat more at one feed?

[leberglj]

Hi all,

My 9 week old is a grazer and it's interfering with his ability to sleep for a decent amount of time.  I know all about letting the baby dictate his feeding schedule and I'm fine with waking up and being available for him, but I really think he'd be less fussy and overtired if he ate for longer than 5 minutes through the night and day.  More importantly, I produce a lot of foremilk, so when he only eats for 5 minutes then not again for 2 hours, he only gets foremilk and not the creamy hind milk (he still has frothy green poops 50% of the time).

Any tips for gently helping him to feed longer and get at that cheesecake?!

[annettemarie]

Moving out to the main forum.

[Bristolian]

Are you offering both breasts at each feed?

[Mrs-Mama]

 Maybe you can try "block feeding", so that you don't switch sides every time.  Feed him the left side twice in a row and then switch to the right for two feeds in a row.  That way he will get more of the hindmilk from that second feeding in the "block", hopefully making him feel more full.  If you have engorgement issues on the other side, express just enough for comfort.  Your supply will adjust.

[leberglj]

I do hr block feeding since he doesn't make it through one breast in a feed.  It helps sometimes, except at night when there is 3 or 4hours between feeds - in those cases the foremilk supply is already regenerated!