How long do your slightly older babies feed for?

[mindutopia]

I know newborn babies often feed for 30-45 minutes at a time. But I'm wondering how long your slightly older babies feed for? Do they usually want both breasts in a feed?

My 2nd dc is 5 weeks. My 1st had all sorts of feeding and weight gain issues and we were on a feeding schedule and giving top ups and it was all a bit of a nightmare. I had some medical issues as well and at this point we were starting to transition to ff as I couldn't continue to bf. So even though this is my 2nd, it's still a bit new and I can't remember much from before anyway.

Midwife and HV early on stressed making sure he fed 20-30 minutes per side (offering the other after) to get my supply up and make sure he was getting plenty of hindmilk. Frankly, 20 minutes was always a stretch. He was much more happy to feed 10-15 minutes, rarely ever 30 minutes. It wasn't an issue though as he was a good weight at birth, only lost 5% of birth weight, above birth weight by 10 days and was up 2lbs 4 oz by 3 weeks. He's obviously getting plenty and is quite content between feeds.

He's 5 weeks now. Still feeding well (every 2 ish hours), putting on weight great, very happy and chill between feeds. But unless he's cluster feeding, a feed lasts about 10 minutes max. I know they get shorter once babies get older and more efficient, but does this sound about right? I keep thinking he should be going longer per feed to keep my supply up, but he's happy as is. Is this just what babies do when they get a big older? He also often doesn't have any interest in the other breast unless he's cluster feeding or particularly unsettled, so most feeds are just one breast. My midwife drilled into me that I had to offer both breasts if I wanted to keep my supply up, but is that true? He seems happy. My supply seems great (in fact, letdown is a bit fast and supply seems abundant at the moment). But I just can't get that out of my head.

[Isitwinteryet]

My baby is 6 month's. She feeds for about 20 minutes. Sometimes more sometimes less. Some times she has bothad sides. If I'm expressing I'll only offer 1 and pump the other. She's always put weight on and my supply is great. :)

They're all different and he'll take as much as he needs. :)

[RedLemonade]

My 2nd DD was like that. 10 mins every 2 hours or so. I’d offer the second side most times but she’d pop off after a few quick sucks usually. I had oversupply too- I think she just got what she needed quite quickly!

9lb at birth and gained weight perfectly throughout. She was just a very efficient feeder. (Unlike DD1 who’d hang out on my boob all fricking day).

[bassackwards]

At that age my baby fed for about 20-30 minutes on average and always on one side only. She's almost 6 months now and still feeds on just one side at a time. Mainly because she falls asleep after one boob

[scrivette]

DD has always been a very fast feeder and often was only about 5/10 minutes on one side. I would always offer the other side and sometimes she would take it and sometimes wouldn't.
She is a very podgy baby and clearly putting on weight so I didn't have concerns and the Health Visitor didn't either.

[lmmummy]

Sounds like you're doing pretty amazing!! Well done you!!
I only ever offered one breast unless cluster feeding as was told not to because then they are not getting all the nutrients they need. My LO strived just as yours is doing.
I wouldn't worry about how long feeds are lasting. As long as he is happy, healthy and gaining weight then you're doing an amazing job

[TriJo]

Neither of my boys ever really fed for more than 10-15 minutes at a time. Frequent flyers but fast feeders.

[mindutopia]

Thanks!! That’s all really reassuring. My instinct has always told me this is normal for him and he’s happy. Frankly, my supply is such that I don’t want to push it too much. It sprays everywhere and I feel quite full between feeds at the moment.

[Lazypuppy]

My baby girl has never fed for more than 20mins. Normally 8-10mins, and occasionally a 15min feed