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Author Topic: Is my baby feeding too long?  (Read 2099 times)

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Offline Tobysmum

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Is my baby feeding too long?
« on: April 03, 2006, 16:42:37 pm »
My baby is regularly going 3-4 hours (sometimes longer) between feeds (I'm breastfeeding) as he's asleep and then when he does feed he's on for 40 minutes or more.  Today it was an hour!  I feed him on demand as I figure he'll tell me when he's hungry - but 40 minutes + is soo sooo long!  On the odd occasion he'll do a shorter feed but that's rare.  He seems genuinely hungry - not just suckling - I can see him swallowing etc.. He's gaining weight well when he went for his 2 week check-up last Monday. He's 3 weeks old today.  I know I'm producing milk as I have been pumping sometimes (because of the length of time between feeds sometimes) - I am pumping between 2-3 oz usually at the moment.  I am using a nipple shield as he wouldn't latch on in the hospital and so far shows no sign of wanting to do away with it!
I am generally switching breasts each feed (left one feed, right the next) but because of the length of feeds I've started switching during the middle of the feed when he's taking a break.
Any comments?
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Offline Samuel's mum

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Re: Is my baby feeding too long?
« Reply #1 on: April 03, 2006, 19:24:42 pm »
There is such a massive range for what could be considered normal. Yes, it is long but he is very young. It will most likely speed up as he gets older and more efficient and before you know it you'll be posting with 'Help my baby only feeds for x minutes'!
If his latch was a problem then you would probably find he wouldn't be able to last that long between feeds or wouldn't want to come off at all.
I don't have any experience of nipple shields. Perhaps that affects the length of a feed?

Just check he is genuinely satisfied at one breast (e.g has had the hindmilk) before you switch him. The time of the feed should not be a guide in itself. I would personally stay on one breast but that's just because single-sided feeding worked for me. If he is breaking off himself then perhaps he is indicating he's ready for the other.

« Last Edit: April 03, 2006, 19:26:24 pm by Samuel's mum »
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Offline daisymelan

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Re: Is my baby feeding too long?
« Reply #2 on: April 03, 2006, 21:11:25 pm »
Your son sounds just like mine was.  We did up to one hour feeds for the first month or so... His feeds would routinely last 30 - 40 minutes until he was about 2.5 months when he started shortening it to 20ish.  Just make sure to keep listening to your lo swallowing so you know when he is suckling for comfort and nursing for food.

HTH
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Offline Shdef

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Re: Is my baby feeding too long?
« Reply #3 on: April 03, 2006, 21:31:14 pm »
At three weeks my DS fed for 60-90 minutes. It gradually decreased and now he takes 10 minutes.

I did something bad sometimes, though. Instead of talking and singing to him (which I usually did) I watched the telly...

Bad mommy
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Offline daisymelan

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Re: Is my baby feeding too long?
« Reply #4 on: April 03, 2006, 22:17:11 pm »
Quote from: Scott's_Maw on April 03, 2006, 21:31:14 pm
At three weeks my DS fed for 60-90 minutes. It gradually decreased and now he takes 10 minutes.

I did something bad sometimes, though. Instead of talking and singing to him (which I usually did) I watched the telly...

Bad mommy

Don't even be silly.  How do you think I found the time to read BW? 
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Offline Shdef

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Re: Is my baby feeding too long?
« Reply #5 on: April 04, 2006, 09:06:36 am »
I won't feel so bad then :P
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Offline JacobMarksMummy

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Re: Is my baby feeding too long?
« Reply #6 on: April 04, 2006, 09:20:21 am »
I agree with everyone else. My LO also fed for such a long time when he was new now I'm lucky if he stays at the breast for 10mins  :)
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kgmf123

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Re: Is my baby feeding too long?
« Reply #7 on: April 04, 2006, 09:30:11 am »
Hello,

My dd took an hour to feed up until the 6 week growth spurt and then she fed in less than 15 mins. I reckon in the early weeks it is Natures way to make sure you slow down and rest. You and your ds sound like you are doing great!

Kat x
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