What is the appropriate length of time to breastfeed your baby? The answer is that each of your friends is correct; the length of time a baby can spend at breast during each nursing session can vary greatly between each mom and baby.
According to Medela, the average time a baby will spend at breast during each nursing session can range from minutes. How is it possible that some babies may nurse for only a few minutes while others will nurse for an hour? There are many different factors involved in the length of time a baby spends at breast.
The force of your milk letdown and flow speed will vary between nursing moms. Some moms may have an immediate and forceful letdown with a very fast flow, while other moms may have a delayed letdown and a much slower milk flow.
Every baby has a different sucking efficiency. One baby may have a very strong and efficient suck, while another baby may have a less efficient suck, requiring a baby to spend much longer at breast.
The amount of milk each mom holds in her breast is called the breast milk capacity; this volume can be different between nursing moms. This number will not only affect how long a baby spends at breast during each nursing session but will also determine how many times a baby will go to the breast each day. The breast you start each feeding on will also determine how long a baby will nurse. Most nursing moms have a breast that produces more milk than the other side hello superboob!
When we nurse, we should alternate starting sides. Break the suction carefully by gently inserting a clean finger into the corner of her mouth or by pressing on your breast near the mouth. Then begin the lip tickling anew and let her latch on again properly, with the nipple and the areola in the mouth. So instead of setting time limits on each feed, let your sweetie take her time at the breast — and expect feedings to be long initially. Which means you may have to initiate — even push — at first.
Feeding patterns vary widely from baby to baby, however, so you might need to nurse a little more or less frequently. If you have a hungrier or more impatient infant on your hands, you may go little more than an hour between feedings; a more easily satisfied baby might be able to go for three-and-a-half to four hours.
If you feel like you're nursing constantly, don't worry; it's temporary. As your milk supply increases and your baby gets bigger, the breaks between feedings will get longer. Don't be concerned or surprised if your formula-feeding or supplementing friends say their newborns eat far less often. Breast milk is more easily digested than infant formula, allowing the tummies of nursing babies to empty faster — and thirst for more sooner. A good way to master the right breastfeeding balance is to nurse when your baby seems hungry.
Don't wait for tears; by then, your little one may be uncomfortably hungry, especially the longer she cries. She might be tiny but she'll make her needs known by:. Your hospital will likely teach you the basic cradle hold. But with some trial-and-error, you might find another breastfeeding position works better for you and your baby. Here's the lowdown on all the basic breastfeeding positions:. Many new nursing mothers worry at some point that baby isn't eating enough. Nervous about getting started?
These tips can help give you more confidence and ensure you and baby get the most out of the experience:. If your baby spits up a lot, try burping more often. While it's normal for infants to "spit up" a small amount after eating or during burping, a baby should not vomit after feeding. If your baby throws up all or most of a feeding, there could be a problem that needs medical care.
If you're worried that your baby is spitting up too much, call your doctor. When babies go through a period of rapid growth called a growth spurt , they want to eat more than usual. These can happen at any time. But in the early months, growth spurts often happen when a baby is:. During these times and whenever your baby seems extra hungry, follow your little one's hunger cues.
You may need to breastfeed more often for a while. That's a personal choice. Experts recommend that babies be breastfed exclusively without formula, water, juice, non—breast milk, or food for the first 6 months.
Then, breastfeeding can continue until 12 months and beyond if it's working for you and your baby. Breastfeeding has many benefits for mom and baby both. Studies show that breastfeeding can lessen a baby's chances of diarrhea , ear infections , and bacterial meningitis , or make symptoms less severe.
Breastfeeding also may protect children from sudden infant death syndrome SIDS , diabetes , obesity , and asthma. For moms, breastfeeding burns calories and helps shrink the uterus. In fact, breastfeeding moms might return to their pre—pregnancy shape and weight quicker.
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