breastfeeding 4+ months

[luckyme225]

For ladies who have been breastfeeding for 4+ months how often do you feed your baby and for how long? My son now only eats about 5-10 mins max. He normally eats every 3 through 4 1/2 hours. I feel like that's not very much but he is a happy baby and has enough pees/poops.

 

[BurtonBaby]

At his age, I think that Connor has probably become much more efficient at drawing the milk out of your breast. It takes him less time to eat because he is able to eat more quickly than when he was younger. Are you pumping and giving him a bottle yet? If so how many ounces is he taking in a feed? Thats a good way of determining how much he is getting. But if he is happy and growing then I wouldn't be worried. He is such a cutie btw!!! =)

 

[Alexas Mommy]

alexa is three months now and is starting to eat less frequently and taking less time to eat each time. it is normal because your milk is coming in faster so they dont eat as often and long. he will let you know if he is not getting enough!

 

[Holldoll]

Bella is only 12 weeks and she eats only 5 mins. on each breast. She always has. If he has good diapers, I wouldn't be concerned. Especially because he's going so long between feeds. I'm sure he's getting plenty.

 

[Margerle]

Sounds right to me!

I timed Ms. Sharlotte last night, she ate in 15 mins or so. Compared to 6 weeks ago when she was eating for 70 MINUTES at a time.

 

[luckyme225]

At his age, I think that Connor has probably become much more efficient at drawing the milk out of your breast. It takes him less time to eat because he is able to eat more quickly than when he was younger. Are you pumping and giving him a bottle yet? If so how many ounces is he taking in a feed? Thats a good way of determining how much he is getting. But if he is happy and growing then I wouldn't be worried. He is such a cutie btw!!! =)

The days I work he takes 5oz bottles though I'm sure he could probably eat more, I suck at pumping!

 

[Squirle]

Seems perfectly normal. My son was feeding every 1-2 hours, and taking up to 40 min each time, until he was around 3.5 months. Then he got much more effective and started eating in 10 min although still as often. Around 4.5 months he started requiring food much less often and could wait up to 4 hours between each feeding.

It's not necessarily that you suck at pumping but pumping is much less effective than a baby sucking.

 

[JennyOwens]

Dylan is a week over 4 months now and he feeds (and empties) a boob in 5 mins flat. That seems to satisfy him but only for 2 hours or so... Not sure is this is a growth spurt though because he used to go a bit longer...

 

[Ragirl]

Sounds right to me too. My son got very efficient at emptying the boob too- usually only took 5+ minutes.

 

[luckyme225]

woohoo ~ keeping up with breastfeeding really did pay off then lol, quick, easy and always ready to go!

 

[JennyLynn512]

I have found that Valerie will empty both my breasts in about 10 minutes. Though she is a porker and still goes about every 2-3 hours wanting fed. I agree with the other girls, if your LO is having enough wet/dirty diapers then he is more than likely getting enough.

 

[coz]

i was wondering why my LO is only on me for about 5-10 mins now i guess they suck quicker but my baby sometimes still only waits 2 hours but he can go 3 or 4 xxx

 

[luckyme225]

i was wondering why my LO is only on me for about 5-10 mins now i guess they suck quicker but my baby sometimes still only waits 2 hours but he can go 3 or 4 xxx

Sometimes Connor will go only 2 hours as well.