How long should a feeding take for a 9week yr old?

[MomforAidan]

Hi, just wondering how long other babies at this age take to nurse? I know all babies are different but I just wanted to get an average. A good feed for my baby seems to be about 20 min (10min each side or so). But sometimes he'll drain the first side, then only eat on the other side for a few minutes and just won't take anymore. This is fine, but then he'll want to feed sooner b/c of the shorter feed. He feeds every 2 1/2 -3 hrs during the day, dream feed around 10am, and at night can go a 5hr stretch and usually wakes around 3am to feed in the night, but a few nights he has not needed this and has fed at 6am instead. But it is still inconsistent from night to night.

Sometimes when my baby eats for less than 20 min I wonder if he is snacking which I want to avoid. Any tips on helping him to get a full feed every time so he can last longer in between? I try to wait till I know he is really hungry but sometimes it's hard to hold him off, especially if he wakes early from a nap.

Thanks!

[Lola]

Hiya...
My lo was a hoover and loved her food like her mother..
Madelaine ate for about 20 per side. i did not switch sides at that age bc she needed both front and back milk and this worked for us. The hind milk is what fills them right? Sometimes I used to tickle her and take her off and put her back on to wake her after the foremilk (which contains oxytocin)...rub toes etc to ensure she had a good feed. Its okay I think to not be on a perfect routine just yet. Sounds like you are doing very well for such a little one.
Snacking is not such a good habit --perhaps he is gassy or just not that hungry? Have you tried getting his attention in other ways?..

I think it sounds like he is doing well. Just try to keep him awake while feeding and I'm sure the b/f pro's will be along soon. I'm jealous of your five hours at night. My lo peanut took forever to get to the 5 hour mark!!

[ldspks]

This is my first time on this site.

My little guy is also 9 weeks old.  Breastfeeding has been a long haul.  First jaundice and dehydration with supplements.  Then told by a lactation consultant to do the "switch and burp" technique as he was taking 60 minutes to feed at 3-4 weeks of age.  This worked to shorten feeds and increase milk supply BUT ended up with an overactive letdown.  Now feeds have gone the other extreme and sometimes I can't get him to stay on one side for longer then 5-7 minutes!  Am worried that he's getting too much foremilk as he's really gassy every single day.  Although his poops are yellow, he's gaining weight and he goes 2.5 - 3 h between feeds....   Various sources I've read say that they get more efficient at draining the breast as they get older and feeds typically go up to 30 minutes.  A good friend who breastfed until her little guy was 16 months old said her guy was efficient.

[carybear]

I think my 9 week old DD is pretty efficient.  She takes less than 10 min to drain a side.  the later in the day it is the faster she gets.  but I have way overactive let down  so hopefully that's not causing problems with her reflux.  My luck that's what's causing it! 
ldspks, does your little one bob off and on your breast while you're nursing too? I'm just wondering if that's an over active let down problem we all have or if it's just my DD.