Breast feeding - how long does it take?

[brightonlad]

I have a 13 day old daughter who is breastfed but I often 'top up' one feed at night with

Congratulations - on the baby and the fact that she's such a good feeder at 13 days.

Don't think there's any hard and fast rule as babies feed at different rates. Only way to get through this is co-sleeping, ime. My ds2 was waking up 4-5 times/night to about 10mo and still wakes up once and then at around 5 for good each night. There's no way I'd have survived without co-sleeping, which means that, once you both know how to do it, the baby can just get on with it and you can go back to sleep. It gets easier once you're not changing nappies a couple of times each night, too, but 13 days old is still very wee to have any expectations.

Good luck.

I had a baby who fed for 45 mins at a time, every two hours or so, so i know what you mean. It does go quickly though, even if it seems like you're never going to sleep again at first, you do get used to it and then one day sleep returns...I would feed whenever and wherever at the moment, and then as you get more used to her, you might start to get a gut feeling for when it might be ok to gently take her off the breast and settle her another way - cuddles, pram, my husband used to walk around the house with our dd a lot. Its all her food, all her drink, all her comfort and all she knows about the world. Feeding patterns, ime, did shift, but not to any set pattern - kind of a pattern that would last a few weeks, then a growth spurt when you think you're never going to cope, then more settled again, then the odd amazing night with fewer wake ups which actually makes you feel more tired because you're so used to the sleep deprivation. Take care and hth.

she will probably settle down ... your supply is building so that is a good thing. My DS can still take 45 minutes, at 24 weeks. I definitely remember the early days going for a couple of hours - seemed mad but he was a hungry little guy.

but i think most babies eventually feed within half an hour or so.

i treasure any sleep of more than two hours at a time - very rare still .. . you somehow do get used to it. I'm still waiting for that odd amazing night!!

I'm with jkklpu - co-sleeping...its the only way i survived my ds constant demand for food..he ate constantly...my dd now 10 weeks is alot easier, i'm not sure if thats cos i've popped her into my bed sooner, or if she just has lass of an appetite...
good luck and congrats