Just curious how long your newbie nurses during each feeding. With DS, he ate for a whole hour! Now DD eats for 7 to 15 minutes most feedings, and sometimes as long as 30 to 45.
So I was wondering, what's a normal length of time for you?
My Sweet Blessings
04-04-2011, 02:06 PM
I only really timed it in the hospital for the nurses, but I think he usually nurses for 20-30 minutes on average, but for as long as 45 minutes sometimes. I think he nurses for at least 15 minutes each time. He can also nurse with less than an hour between nursing sessions. He is constantly on the boob. LOL
Leaner
04-04-2011, 02:06 PM
10-30 minutes at a time. Though sometimes there will be a 5 min break before the next session.
I don't remember if my other daughter nursed longer. She did want to be on the breast all of the time though.
RachelC
04-04-2011, 02:38 PM
I have always had quick nursers. It's the same with this baby. It's usually 5-10 minutes per feeding and then she's done. She seems to like to nurse longer in the middle of the night, though, which can make for a pretty restless night sometimes (like last night).
LittleThingsMama638
04-04-2011, 02:41 PM
Usually about 5 minutes here, 10 minutes at most if she's being lazy. My kids have been quicker eaters though.
lilmissg2
04-04-2011, 02:47 PM
Time varies 10 minutes to 45 minutes (occasionally longer). He sleeps at least one 4-6 hour block a night and another 3-4 hour block so he 'tanks' up prebedtime and midsleep and then seems to nurse frequently during the day.
ThreadsThatBind
04-04-2011, 02:51 PM
Usually for 5ish minutes....but sometimes around 10-15. I'm pouring everywhere, so she fills up quick!
mrstilly
04-04-2011, 03:40 PM
DS is nursing about 7-12 minutes per side, sometimes going as long as 20 minutes a side, but that's rare. I usually try to keep him awake and eating for at least 7 minutes per side. He's one week old tomorrow and nursing about every 2-4 hours.
lisha622
04-04-2011, 06:06 PM
About 20 minutes... 10 minutes per side. Sometimes longer, sometimes shorter, but that's the average and norm. She usually is constantly sucking though... if not, I'll burp her or tickle her and then relatch, and I don't count that time... I only count the time she's on and sucking. Total nursing time actually takes closer to half an hour because there's about 10 minutes where I'm burping, relatching, or keeping her awake.
Interesting for me to read the responses... I didn't realize babies varied so much. She goes usually about 3 hours between feedings, and I end up waking her up quite a bit to feed her. Sometimes she goes two hours, but mostly she seems to get really full at each feeding, and then she's happy for a while which is nice for me to not have to constantly be feeding her.
doodle19
04-04-2011, 07:25 PM
Entire session from start to finish is about 12-15 minutes
Marbie
04-04-2011, 08:36 PM
It's so nice to know there is such variation! And really nice to know that other babies are speedy too. Thanks mamas!
luvsviola
04-04-2011, 09:41 PM
I try to get her to do 10 minutes (at least) on each side. If I'm in a hurry, it is 15-20 minutes, but if we are sitting watching TV, it can go for 30-45 minutes.
myoo
04-05-2011, 02:42 PM
My baby is a very lazy eater. He is always, always, always nursing. I mean always. I can't easily say how long a nursing session lasts because he's constantly re-deciding he's hungry. :)
amberdawn723
04-05-2011, 10:33 PM
Mine nurses about 10 to 15 minutes on each side unless she gets too sleepy on the first breast...so anywhere between 10 and 30 minutes. She tends to go 3 or 4 hours between feedings though which is quite nice.
Mrs.Haggie810
04-07-2011, 09:09 AM
Lily nurses about 5-10 min on each side...I burp her between sides...and she is usually on the second side slightly shorter than the first...depending on the time of day, she typically goes 1.5 to 3 hours between feedings...she slept for a 6 hour stretch last night, so I'm hoping that will continue with at least a 4 hour stretch each night. ;). I agree...I'm glad to know there are some other quick nursers...usually my babies don't start nursing this quick until they are 3 or 4 months old, so this is a nice change!
happiness
04-08-2011, 06:41 AM
10-15 min per side.
zaeaton
04-08-2011, 11:25 AM
always 1 hour- 30 minutes on each side then I have 1 hour break and then its eating time again. I do feel like I'm always feeding. Is this normal? And she isn't sleepy, sucking hard the whole time. Oh, in the middle of the night when I have lots of milk only 30 minutes- 15 each side
Marbie
04-08-2011, 03:53 PM
always 1 hour- 30 minutes on each side then I have 1 hour break and then its eating time again. I do feel like I'm always feeding. Is this normal? And she isn't sleepy, sucking hard the whole time. Oh, in the middle of the night when I have lots of milk only 30 minutes- 15 each side
this is how it was with DS. He would just take his time, I guess. Is she swallowing or just sucking? Some babies like to suck, but let the milk dribble out one side of their mouth. Does she seem satisfied after an hour? I bet it's fine. I do feel your pain though--an hour is so long! (I read 5 of the Harry Potter books in German nursing DS!)
