Newborn nursing duration ?

Congratulations on your new baby!

And wow, he sounds like a real pro at nursing already. The nursing times you mention sound great, and he's nursing on both sides. You don't have any reason to be concerned with your milk supply. This is the best new nursing story I've ever read on this forum

If you want more info, kellymom.com has this helpful article:

Nursing your newborn - what to expect in the early weeks
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/normal/newborn-nursing.html

Congratulations on your new baby! And on nursing him after pumping for the first two - way to go!

Here are a couple of links from an awesome site on breastfeeding:

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/normal/newborn-nursing.html

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/normal/weight-gain.html

Also see this handout on latching: http://www.kellymom.com/newman/when_latching_12-02.html

To me, he sounds like he is doing fine so far as measured by output. But does he seem really sleepy and does he fall asleep at the breast a lot? If so, you might want to try some of the sleepy baby tricks from the first kellymom link above.

The best trick I learned for telling whether baby was drinking or just hanging out is from Dr. Newman's handout, Is My Baby Getting Enough Milk? http://www.kellymom.com/newman/enough_milk_01-03.html

Definitely read this one!

HTH, and enjoy your babymoon.

Thank you for the reply's and links! Baby is super sleepy but we are having success with ideas from the kellymom site.

My ds NEVER nursed longer than 20 min is his whole life! For us, 20 min was a loooooong nursing session. The Doc told me to expect him to want to nurse every 2 to 4 hours and for 30-45 min at a time. He nursed for 10-15 min every HOUR! and so I was freaking out! I called my LC when he was 4 weeks old, concerned that he may not be getting enough, as he only ever wanted one breast per feeding. She asked me his birth weight = 6lb 14 1/2 oz. Weight upon leaving the hospital= 6lb 9oz. Then she asked me his current weight (at 4 wks) and I started to say" 10lb 15oz" but she didn't let me get out the oz part as she was laughing so hard. Her response? "Honey, he's getting PLENTY" :LOL

The point is that EVERY babe is different and does things at his or her own pace. As long as you getting in 12+ feedings in, he's having plenty of wet dipes and 'appears' to be filling out, EVERYTHING is just fine!
CONGRATULATIONS to you on your healthy babe mama !!!!

P.S. Ds was a really sleepy babe until he hit 4 wks. Used to have to strip him to nothing but a diaper for every feeding and wake him up with a wet facecloth/diaper change halfway thru. IT does get better!

It sounds like the two of you are doing great! Congrats on the new baby and a wonderful bf relationship!

The idea that baby shoud nurse for 20 mins every 3 hours (or whatever numbers you have seen or been told) is very misleading.

All babies have different nursing styles.

Some will nurse for 20 mins and wait 2 1/2 hours.

Some will nurse for 20 mins every hour or hour and 1/2.

Some will nurse for 5 mins 3 times an hour.

Some will take each breast once or twice in a session.

Some will only ever want one side (esp if you have strong letdown, abundant supply)

Most will cluster feed in the evening, and nurse almost non-stop for 3 or so hours.

As long as latch is perfect, you hear swallowing, you have 6-8 soaked with pee cloth diapers and several poops (in the first 6 weeks) a day, baby is gaining and has alert periods, you are most probably doing great!

Thanks ladies. He is gaining so I think we are ok.

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Ok, we don't do this.......................he is 12days old today. He does nurse more in the evening but no where near 3 hours and not non stop.

I'd love it if he would. I have a plugged duct in my right breast that is no fun. :

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:LOL

Some people would say I cursed myself but I say we are blessed. Last night baby nursed A LOT ! It was great for baby and me. :bf