How long should it normally take to feed a breastfed baby?

[PeppermintPatty]

My 4 month old breastfed DD usually only feeds for 5/10 mins at a time. I feed her every 1 1/2 to 2 hours in the day, and she sleeps through at night.

I really didn't think anything of this, but my friend told me yesterday that she is probably 'snacking' rather than getting a proper feed.

She said you need to feed for about half an hour so the baby gets hind milk which fills them up. Then they should go up to 4 hours between feeds.

I'm now worried I've been doing it all wrong!! But TBH I've just been following what my baby seems to want.
Is my friend correct?
If so how do I get my DD to feed for longer and go longer between feeds?

i started a thread on this recntly

my boys both power feeders - suction mouths

at 12 weeks ds2 maybe 15 mins

v fat so not as if he's not getting to hind milk

Don't forget breastfeeding is not just about nutrition, also

it is about comfort and love and security and bonding

if your baby wants little and often, then that is what is right for her

My ds used to feed for c.40 minutes on both boobs - and was slow to gain weight!

Just goes to hsow they are all different!

Mine ranged from 5 minutes every two hours for daughter 1, to 45 mn every two hours for my son (I watched a looot of crap telly). Didn't really notice with daughter 2 as I just fed her on the hoof whilst dealing with a 4 yr old and 2 yr old. Possibly every three hours? 20 mn? No idea.

I had one child who could feed for 45 mins and barely managed 1.5 hours between feeds during the day and another who fed for 10-15 mins every 2.5 hours, both with a longer gap at night. I used to worry about the younger one as he was so much quicker than the older one but they both put weight on at an astonishing rate, they were just different.

I think your friend should stop assuming that all babies can be fitted into the same routine. If your routine works for you, and it sounds like it does if she is putting on weight and sleeping through the night, then go with your DD's needs.

In fact if you look down the list of threads in this topic, you'll find one started by those of us trying to discover how "normal" our 5-10min feeding babies were

I also had a MW say ds was only "snacking" and I fed him every 1.5-2hrs day AND night for the first 4m!

Ignore the naysayers, do what your baby says is best. It's all about to go pear-shaped anyway, when she realises there's stuff MUCH more interesting to look at than mere feeding...

I'm another who had a baby who only fed for 5-10 minutes at a time. She's now 13 months old and in disgustingly good health. Sounds like you are doing brilliantly!