How long should a 6 m old nurse for?

[pedi08]

I just talked to someone who said their 6 month old nurses for 5 minutes top on each side and now I'm all worried. DS can go for like a 1/2 hour on ONE side and it always looks like he's sucking/swallowing. Could this be because my milk supply is low? I would say he generally nurses 20 minutes on one side (its rare he does both sides).

[Katie T]

Every baby is different some like to get the job done quickly while others relax and enjoy as long as he is growing, content after feedings, & having the recemender wets & poos I wouldnt worry HTH

[syd'smom]

I'd think 15-20 minutes is pretty average. Some kids are able to get lots out quick, but 5 minutes seems awfully short to me. Just do your thing mama, and try not to worry too much about comparisons (I know that is easier said than done!)

[alegna]

It's very individual. Dd would nurse forever. Ds is short and sweet except at night.

-Angela

[pedi08]

Thanks, so much. I needed to hear that!

[groovynaturemama]

i'd say as long as the baby wants to nurse. it varies so widely. some kids can pull all the milk down like a hoover within minutes, while others take their time.

[Theoretica]

As long as they wanna!

Seriously though, my first was a hoover, ten minutes and she'd drained both sides and was off to conquer the world. THIS time bb is latching on while thinking about nursing cause I wanna snuggle mama and play with her hair and smile at daddy...oh...wait...I was eating...ok I'll do that for a sec while I watch my sister and play with my toes and climb like a monkey and...oh...wait...I was eating...so I'll do that for a sec while I hide under mamas shirt and pinch da boobies, and I'll wriggle around to see what the cat is doing while I snooze for a few minutes...oh...wait....I was eating!

you get the idea...

Bellevuemama and the eternal nursing machine

[pedi08]

Ya, I get it but mine totally NURSES the whole time, he's not playing or looking, he's nursing, like 20 min one side. I can see him swallowing and feel him sucking....I was more thinking is it because my supply is low or something wrong with him... he doesn't have a tongue tie. I guess he's just pokey!

[Mama2Rio]

my 6 m/o dd likes to nrse for a few minutes at a time and check out whats around her, and then go back to nursing. she'll lach on/off 5-6 times in one nursing session...i don't switch sides until one side is empty. she's just curious by nature and doesn't want to miss a thing.

every baby is different... don't worry, as long as dc is gaining weight and is healthy.