My daughter who just learned to nurse at almost 3 months old takes at least an hour to eat. I know this can't be normal and I know its taking her that long to get enough milk to feel full because I can feel how full/empty my breasts are. What can I do to keep her awake or how can I encourage her to suck more efficiently? Her lips are flanged when she nurses so that's not the issue. I'm not sure what is.

I was exclusively pumping. After our nursing sessions now I can still pump out about 8 oz total (4 from each side). Is this normal? Today it took an hour and a half feeding session until she seemed content to not cry when I took her away from the breast.

What could be going on?

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I'm not too sure what is going on, but I agree with you, I don't think she's nursing efficiently.

I would check her latch, and reposition her if it seems she's not "on" right. I've never e-pumped, but I think maybe you have an abundant supply from e-pumping for awhile, that is why you can still get out 8 oz after a feeding. I actually have never gotten 8 oz pumping, even after not nursing for 5 hours!!

Maybe she doesn't have enough suction, maybe her suck isn't strong enough to draw it out? I guess if you can still pump that much after she's done, I think I'd pump after she's done and give it to her at the next feeding with the supplemental nursing system. I used it with Jailee when she was jaundiced, and it was a way that we still got to nurse, but she still got the calories she needed.

Hope you figure out how to fix it!

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Thanks. I think we've figured it out. I was pumping about 8 oz when I was only pumping for her. Now that she knows what she needs and she's nursing she is taking probably less than that (because I used to freeze a lot and still be able to feed her). So I am feeling engorged because she obviously isn't going to eat 8 oz a feeding. I've played around with her position and figured out how to get her latched on better. She still does a good 30 minutes but we're getting there. Thanks!

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Glad to hear she cut her time in half for you - wow, at an hour per feeding you'd be nursing more than half the day, lol!

Congrats on the amazing supply.....I have to admit, I'm jealous!

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She could also be comfort nursing and not necessarily for nutrition. At 3 mos there is a growth spurt going on so this is her way of increasing your milk supply to match her needs. Just throwing that out there

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Hi Kim,

I've read some of your posts on the Moms who Pump site. Congrats on getting your daughter to BF!!! That's really exciting!

How did you end up getting her to do it?

Sharon