How long should a baby be on the breast for?

[whitechocchip]

Hi I was wondering if you could help? Still trying to figure out this breast feeding business!

My DD feeds properly on either breast for about 20-30mins but then either loses interest or falls asleep!

Is this normal?
Should it be longer to increase my supply?

She is only 10days old but am worried that my supply will decrease! She doesn't seem interested, unless it's every 2-3hours and then you can't stir her again to go back on.

Am really determined to feed her and am worried my supply will dry up

[nkf]

She sounds like she's doing fine. Lots of wet nappies? Sleeping? Feeding? Enjoy her. Congratulatons.

[magnolia74]

So its 20-30 mins every 2-3 hours??

Sounds pretty good if she is gaining weight, happy, alert, weeing and pooing ok??

[whitechocchip]

Hi yeah its on average every 2-3hours maybe more or less in the night.

She has lots of wet nappies and is sleeping in between.

Haven't had her weighed yet as hv is coming tomorrow.

I don't want to seem parnoid just thought that she should be feeding for longer, or maybe I'm just worring too much?!

Thanks for the quick replies

xxx

[feetheart]

Sounds like you are both doing absolutely fine. My DD was similar to yours whereas DS was done and dusted in 10 minutes. He did go at it like a vacuum cleaner though
Just be aware of growth spurts when everything seems to go to pot for a few days. Think there is one at about 10 days, then 3 weeks, then my memory fails me but I'm sure someone else will know.

[ernest]

my 3 averaged about 5 minutes each, and rarely took 2nd breast, so permanently had1 huge, leaking achy breast & 1 small one. They were such pigs, but I also think I was a bit of a high pressure hose - not unusual, eso at 1st for the milk to be pouring back out of their noses and them gagging on it poor little things.

30 minutes sounds great, something I never achieved. How much longer do you want to spend at it??

Seriously sounds like you're doing wonderfully.

[MrsMar]

Definitely no such thing as the right amount of time to be on each breast. My ds used to take 50 mins each side at first (thank God he's down to about 15 mins each side now!) my friends two week old takes about 10 mins. It's so frustrating, but with experience you'll start to get more confident that your feeds are the right length. Not terribly helpful I'm afraid!