What does a feeding mean? 8-12 times

[Calif]

Websites recommend feeding a newborn 8-12 times a day. They also say feed 15 min on each breast. So does 1 feeding = 30 minutes total (15 each breast) or 15 min total ?

I know each baby is different but I wanted to get a general idea of how my feedings compare to the recommended amount. I've been feeding like 16-18 times a day but each time is one breast only,anywhere from 10-40 min.

 

[cupcake0406]

That does recommend 1 fee being 30 minutes 15 min each side however its personal choice and preference as anything. I sometimes offer the other breast to my baby if he still seems hungry after the first, but the majority of time he just feeds from one for however long he wants 5-40
Minutes. He is 5 weeks now and last week at 4 weeks he was weighed at 11lb 9oz and that was a gain of 1lb from the week before, so everybody's baby is different. Just do what feels right for you

X

 

[Calif]

Thanks! When does the feeding get more manageable? I am feeding so much!

 

[seaweed eater]

I would ignore that advice and just feed on demand what you are doing sounds perfect.

The feeding gets more manageable gradually...with interruptions by growth spurts. I would say after 6-8 weeks it generally feels like a lot less. They may feed equally frequently but many babies stop taking forever and ever to feed and are done within 5-10 minutes. I think around 3 months or later the feedings also start to become less frequent for many babies, but mine is still super frequent, so it varies.

 

[counting]

To be fair I haven't given birth yet, so have no actual experience. At our breastfeeding class though, we were told a feeding is as long as the baby wants on one breast, and then switching to the second if baby wants more and feeding until full. We were told not to time baby, sometimes they nurse a little, sometimes for a long time- but a feeding is just as long as baby wants to nurse. Baby might "empty" a breast and then want the second or not, but no need to time unless baby has growth issues, etc.

 

[XJessicaX]

Ignore all that. Just do what is right for your baby. I have a fast let-down and DD2 only ever needed 1 breast and only for 5-10 mins per feed yet I was told countless times she needed to stay on the breast much longer.

 

[CupcakeBaby]

5 minutes is a long feed for us! I constantly worry she's not getting enough but she's gained 3.5lb in 8 weeks so is on target fine.

 

[iwantabub]

Ignore all that. Just do what is right for your baby. I have a fast let-down and DD2 only ever needed 1 breast and only for 5-10 mins per feed yet I was told countless times she needed to stay on the breast much longer.

Wss^^^^

Before my milk came in he would feed for 30 mins easy then after my milk came it has been 4-10mins and the last few days it can be constant boob as he's havig a growth spurt...

He has been good since day one getting milk from boob so 5 mins and he genuinely has enough sometimes and doesn't go to second boob at all!!!

But he's pooping and weeing like crazy lol and gaining heaps!!!!!!!

So every baby's different just go with it and as long as they poop and wee lots then your all good