How long does your LO nurse?

[NewMom1210]

My 5 week old nurses very irregularly! Sometimes he only nurses for 5 minutes and then falls asleep. I worry he's not getting enough during those first few minutes. Other times he might nurse for 15 minutes. Why the big difference?

[mom2caeley]

i think they're all different. Do you have a breastfeeding clinic or Lactation consultant in your area. They can tell exactly how much they are eating. My daughter nursed for 45 min. on average . She had a bit of jaundice so we and to wake her on a strict schedule, otherwise she would sleep through feeds. My son (4months now) would eat every1 1/2 to 2 hours apart but only for 10-15 min. Trust me if he's just a fast nurser you are lucky!
5 weeks is still little, it gets soooooo much easier and you develop more of a routine

[blessed22]

My DD is doing the same thing (at only 2 weeks old) sometimes she feeds for 5 minutes before falling asleep and refuses to let the nipple in her mouth... and sometimes she'll nurse for 40 minutes! Needless to say, whatever 'schedule' I thought I was on, is out the window. lol

[momomom]

Every baby is different, evey day. It's all good as long as baby is gaining and having enough wet and poopy diapers.

I like to remember that nursing is for: hunger, THIRST (we often forget that babies get thirsty, not only hungry- just like us), emotional reasons, and to say "I love you, Mom!!!"

I also remind myself that I often want a snack 10 minutes after a meal- especially when I'm nursing a baby!!!

[blessedwifenmama]

My DS does the same thing, and he's almost 3 mos. I don't worry about it since he's growing an having enough wet and dirty diapers. I just let him nurse as much as he wants and don't force it. Unfortunately, (or maybe it IS fortunate?) he's not a comfort nurser so he only eats when he's hungry. If your LO is eating to satiety, is having enough wet and dirty diapers, and is gaining weight, I wouldn't worry at all. Some babies are just crazy.

[stinkelein]

My daughter is a little barracuda, she latches, nurse like mad, eats her fill and unlatches, sometimes in less than 10min, for a full meal. Other times she pops on for couple of minutes, falls asleep, and that is it. I think those little ones are just for comfort.

[momomom]

Human milk- the original comfort food!!!!!!!!

[Leonore's Light]

Mine started falling asleep a few minutes after nursing when he was a few days old and I noticed he was blue so we went to the hospital. He has central apnea and is on oxygen now. He'll nurse anywhere from 15 min to an hour now.

[cupcakewright]

I do try to change her diaper if she falls asleep too quickly...other times I know we are comfort nursing just to fall asleep so I let her. Depends on how well and when she ate last. During the night I try to wake her and get her to nurse better, but usually I just fall asleep too, haha!