Length of nursing sessions

[Pielette]

Hi again ladies,

My baby and I seem to be doing well now with breastfeeding but I have a concern about how long he nurses. We seem to swing between 25 minutes or so on one breast and 5-10 minutes on the other, and extremely short sessions which are the ones that concern me.

For instance he's just fed for 10 minutes on my left breast and 5 minutes on the right and he won't take anymore. Is it possible for him to get the hind milk on just 10 minutes? I tried to put him back on the left breast but he kept getting annoyed and pulling off so it would suggest he emptied it but surely that's not possible for a week old baby to manage in 10 minutes?

 

[optimistic1]

My daughter had short sessions at that age and still does when she's tired she must suck better and get more out faster. Usually if my breast still seems full after a short session when she wakes again I put her back on that breast to be sure she emptys it and gets some hindmilk.

 

[Mummyxofx2]

My lo only has short feedings when she isn't cluster feeding she's a 10-15 minute feeder every 2-3 hours and my breast is empty when she is finished. I was also sure she couldn't be getting enough hind milk but her poos are the consistancy they should be

 

[iwantabub]

Last night bubs slept from 11-5 then only fed for 7 mins then fell asleep again ...

They will let ya know if they're hungry.. Some babies just get really good at getting the milk... Some feeds he's absolutely topped up and his belly even looks full and he's only fed for 5mins or 10

 

[cautious...]

The other day my LO had a 5 minute feed off one side and refused to take any more. I asked the Health Visitor if this could be enough and she said if he seems satisfied then it's fine xx

 

[amelia26]

Short feeds are fine but if you're worried about hind milk, try and keep him on one breast per feed and even offer that breast first next time. What are his nappies like? That normally gives an indication if baby is getting too much foremilk/not enough hindmilk

 

[Pielette]

Thank you ladies. His poos have usually been seedy yellow, yesterday they had a greenish tinge but have gone back to yellow today so I guess all is good!

He seems to have a pattern of long feed, short feed, long feed, short feed.