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Eek! What a tricky situation. I totally feel for you as you keep getting thrown curve ball after curve ball.

Can you try meeting with your LC again and weighing him before and after to see how much he's transferring? I've heard some babies can become more efficient literally overnight.

Sorry to say, but I would still probably be wary about going away without your pump, unless you're okay with exclusively FF in case he doesn't keep up this nursing behaviour.

@septemberlove: it's very normal for EBF babies to eat smaller amounts more frequently (my LO is 8months and usually only eats 3oz in a bottle!)...and based on his diapers it sounds like he's getting plenty!

As he gets older he'll begin to get more milk in less time.... they just get better at emptying the breast. And the design of nursing is actually more of a snacking through the day as opposed to getting full meals just a number of times through the day.

Would it be possible to have an in home visit with the LC? Maybe he'd be more apt to act like himself at home?

As they get older it's normal for those marathon sessions to get shorter. (Thank GOD!!) In fact it's probably a good sign!!

Also, if he's popping off on his own awake (and not just falling asleep while eating), then he's probably satisfied with what he's getting. You could always just try offering the boob more often to see if he'll eat more, but if he's eating and then popping off on his own and seems content (and your boob seems softer), then it sounds like he's transferring just fine and is content.

@septemberlove: ditto to everyone else, especially @hilsy85: She took the words right out of my mouth. Also, know that it's normal to worry about breastfeeding & you're not being cuckoo. I worried for the first 3 months & we didn't even have weight gain/nursing issues!

But try and find peace where you can. You're doing an excellent job. Your son sounds content and happy with the amount he's getting. Keep weighing him & keep doing whichever combination of feeding makes you feel the best. Your son doesn't even know how lucky he is to have you for a mama!!

It sounds like he's gettig enough. Something might have just clicked and he may be nursing more efficiently.

Hugs! Just wanted to ditto everyone else and say they definitely get more efficient. Some babies also just like to nurse often. My little guy is 6 months and still eats every 2-3 hours when I'm home, usually 3-5 minutes per side. He takes bottles while I'm at work, but only about 2-3 oz at a time. Like others said, it's normal for breastfed babies to graze.

Good luck! I hope it goes well. As for the trip, I'd bring your pump just in case. My LO gets distracted on trips and won't always eat as much in the car when we stop (he makes up for it once we reach our destination). On one trip, this resulted in me being a little engorged and uncomfortable. I wished I'd had my pump, just to feel comfy.

@septemberlove: it sounds like you've got a good plan for your trip. As for not getting too excited, I understand Take it day by day (or session by session) and try not to think too much into the future. An LC told me once that breastfeeding works best when you're not thinking about it. For what it's worth, with the wet diapers, feeling emptied, and being a content bay it sounds like its working well!

@septemberlove: That sounds like he is eating plenty!!