Length of feeds

[frakyouveryverymuch]

I know this is a 'how long is a piece of string' question but how long does it typically take a newborn to empty a breast?

Sometimes DS (2 weeks) will feed for 10 mins before coming off and not going back on the same side even after a couple of attempts but will happily go on the other side and sometimes he'll go half an hour on one side and not want the second breast. I'm confused!

He displays classic hunger symptoms and seems to feed just as efficiently at the start in both cases and it doesn't seem to make a difference how full my breasts feel as he can deflate an engorged breast in 10 minutes or feed off which which felt soft for 20+.

I guess my main concern is not taking him off too early so I'm more worried about the shorter feeds than the long ones!

I'm going to say: "how long is a piece of string" . Sounds normal to me.

Do you know about www.kellymom.com? Very useful for all things BF-related.

Try not to worry about it too much - most milk is made during a feed so it doesn't really matter how full your breast feels. Don't take him off at all, let him come off himself.

Just feed him on one side until he comes off then offer the other, and don't watch the clock!

I think as long as you are offering one side, then waiting till he comes off by himself, then offering the other - then that's fine.

That sounds like what you're doing unless I'm mistaken?

Just a question - what if your baby doesn't come off on her own? My DD will happily keep sucking intermittently on one breast and I never seem to get to the stage where she falls off, content and full of milk. Any advice gratefully received! :)