How long does it take your newborn to BF??

[SamuelsMommie]

I'm just curious as to how long it takes some of the other newborns out there to BF.  My ds is just under 2 weeks old and has for the most part been doing single-side feedings.  He is usually only on the breast for about 15 minutes, with coming off to burp once sometimes.  Other times, he might be on for 10-15 minutes, come off to burp and then go back on for about 10 minutes at most.  When he's done and not really wanting more on that side, my breast does feel empty, so I'm assuming it is for the most part.  I do offer the other side just to be sure if he's still hungry and only sometimes will he take it and even then not for long, maybe 5 minutes.  Other than those times that he's really hungry and he'll have both sides for about 15 minutes. 
Do you find your newborn is able to empty your breast this quickly?  Or is it possible he's not really emptying the breast.  I just feel the breast and it doesn't feel full anymore.  Not sure if that's really a true way to know if it's empty or not. 

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

Yes, newborns can definitely have a full feed in 15 min if they're efficient feeders - meaning that the latch is good, they suck well and your flow is good.  Is he having at least 7 wet and dirty diapers a day and is he putting on weight?  That's actually the best way to judge at this age if he's getting enough.  Breasts feeling "empty" are less good - once your milk flow is well established and things settle out, your breasts may never really feel full OR empty anymore, but it won't mean you have no milk!   Breast compression can be a good way to make sure you're really emptying a breast (gets the flow going a bit more - there's a FAQ on it).  Nothing wrong with offering the other breast after you've done some breast compression - sometimes he'll just be hungrier and take more, and it could vary with times of day (babies often want the other side later in the day for cluster feeding or because milk supply can sometimes be less when the mother is tired late in the day).

My first would nurse for about 15 min per side at this age, but my second nursed for about 15 - 20 min total.

[Diana1981]

It is possible for a newborn to empty the breast quickly. My ds was done feeding after 15 or 17 minutes when he was newborn, and he was done at 10 minutes when a bit older. Sometimes a baby can stay on the breast for 40 minutes, but it doesnt mean he is feeding, its just that babies need suckling time!

[daybyday]

My DS was a 45 min GULPER, and then about 30 mins after feeding he would root for the other side, nurse for 5mins and be done...(I'd then start on that breast for the next feed)....(what can I say, he's a boob man! lol)

My DD nursed single sided for about 20 mins. A very different experience.

My best friends little guy by 2 wks was single sided 10 mins feed. At 6m. he feeds single sided for 5 mins. and he's WELL into the 90th percentile.

Some babes are very efficient....

[SamuelsMommie]

Yes, he is definitely having at least 7 wet/dirty diapers a day, if not more sometimes.  As far as weight gain goes, we go back tomorrow for a check at the pediatrician.  He was 9lb4oz at birth, then 8lb 14oz when we were discharged on a Wed and then the following Mon at the pediatrician, which was last week, he was back to 9lbs 1oz.  So since he wasn't back to his birth weight then, that's why we'll be going in again tomorrow.  So I'll be interested to see where he is then.  He's definitely taking in milk.  He's quite the spitter-upper too.  Not always does he spit up, but there are times where he'll spit up 2-3 times after a feed.  And not just a little spit, but a good amount. 

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

You might have an overactive letdown - it can cause babies to gulp in a lot of air when they're nursing and they might spit up more - check out the FAQs if you want more info on it.

[Antoinesmom]

It seems to be different at every feed for my daughter. She may feed for 10 mins one time and 30 mins another. Sometimes she takes both sides and other she just takes one side. I really depends on how hungry she is.

My daughter will be a week tomorrow.

Marty

Oh, and so far I haven't had the empty breast feeling but I've noticed she'll get fussy, fall asleep or just hold my nipple in her mouth if my breast is empty. I do the breast compression if I'm not sure that it's empty. If I'm having a hard time then it's probably the same for her so I switch.