how long do you breastfeed a newborn when your milk comes in. how do you know when they are done on each side?

Answer 1

The following is true at *any* age, before or after your milk "comes in"...

Babies know what they need. It is *really* important to nurse the baby as *she/he* needs, and *not* according to a schedule--*any* schedule!

Crying is a late sign of hunger; when a baby is more alert, moves her/his head from side to side, or sucks (on hands, clothing, or just the air), she/he is letting you know it's time to nurse. In general, if you think baby *might* be asking to nurse, offer. You can't force a baby to nurse--she/he will only nurse if she/he wants to, so just offer.

Let baby nurse on the first breast as long as she/he is interested. Again, if you're not sure, offer the *same* breast again; if baby refuses, that's a sign that she/he is done. Then offer the second breast. Some babies want to nurse on one breast per feeding, and this is fine. Others want to nurse on both breasts at every feeding, and that's fine, too. And many babies will sometimes nurse on one and sometimes on both. Baby is telling you something--believe her/him.

There are exceptions; sometimes you need to nurse on one breast only per feeding and sometimes both, but unless you have a *specific* problem and an expert (La Leche League Leader or IBCLC) tells you otherwise, let baby decide.

As you and the baby get more experienced at nursing, you will understand your baby's special communication better...

Answer 2

Pretty much exactly what Granny and professional said. lol. I have been breastfeeding for nearly 4 years between 2 kids. And one thing I have learned about breastfeeding is nothing stays the same. I tend to feed them on one side at a time. Unless I feel like my breast is too empty. If it starts to hurt inside then it could be empty and baby isn't getting the milk. But everyone is different and it took me a long time to figure out what that feeling meant. As well as knowing what all the other feelings mean. Just keep trying. Let the baby decide how to feed. You keep correcting the latch however. But let your little one determine the lenght.
What I always tried to do when they were that young is just keep feeding them until they said done. And if I thought they didn't eat much, I would offer the other side. If they latched on, great. If not, that was fine too. Just so long as they are happy. But if they only drank a tiny bit out of the other side, or none at all, then I would start with that side the next feeding. I just tried to get aproxamitly the same amount of time on each side. Just even it out.
Just remember though. It's best to empty a breast because the milk changes as the baby eats. There is fore milk and hind milk. The for milk has more water in it and the hind milk is fattier. Both are designed for the baby. But it's best that you allow the baby to get both during each feeding. So let him finish off one side before you switch.
It can be unsettling to not know and not see the amount of milk coming out. But you have to just have faith. As long as the baby seems content and is gaining weight, then he/she is getting enough.
Find a local le leche league support group. They tend to meet up about once a month. You can normally find some very nice women there with a lot of experience. And the leaders might even post their phone numbers incase someone has a concern.
Good luck.
Congrats on the new baby!
And it's so nice to see more Mommies doing good for their babies and breastfeeding.
One last note. After your child is born, you don't have milk for a few days. The amount of time varies from woman to woman. And baby to baby. But average of a couple of days. So your milk might not even be in by the time your sent home from the hospital. Just keep chugging along and you will know when your milk comes in. And the first few weeks of their little lives, babies are genetically programed to want to suck nonstop. It helps the milk come in fast and plentiful. And so they get as much of the wonderful colostrum as possible.

Answer 3

They say you should try for a minimum of 10 minutes on each side. The thing that is hard to measure, unlike in bottles, is if your child is getting enough. If your child is having lots of wet as well as poopy diapers, then you are doing great. They do lose a little weight, but then gain that back. Also, babies are self regulators when it comes to their food. They stop when they are full and fully let you know when they are hungry again.

Check out the La Leche website if you have any more questions on breastfeeding. It's a great site.
http://www.lalecheleague.org/

Answer 4

Starting as soon as baby is born, nurse your baby whenever he tells you he is hungry.
At this age, most babies need to nurse AT LEAST 8 - 12 times in a 24 hour period. As their tummies get bigger, they can hold more milk.

First he will ask you politely. He will wave his arms, try to eat his fist, make funny faces and shake his head from side to side. If you feed him right away, he will be more likely to feed well.

If you wait until he cries, he may be too upset to eat.
Crying is a LATE hunger cue.

Nurse him on the first side until he comes off all by himself. Only he can determine when he has had enough!
When he first goes to breast he gets the foremilk, which quenches his thirst.
As he continues to nurse, he pulls down the higher calorie hindmilk which provides the energy he needs to grow big and strong.

When he is satisfied he will come off the breast by himself.
Then you can burp him and change his diaper, and offer him the other side.

Some babies always take both sides, some only take one, and some babies sometimes take one and sometimes both.
In the early weeks it is important to ALWAYS offer both sides, just top be sure.

After your milk increases (comes in,) your baby should have at least 6-8 wet diapers and 2-3 poopy ones a day (in 24 hours.)
If he has less than this, nurse him more frequently - you may not have noticed his feeding cues.

Answer 5

it depends on how comfortable you are... to start, I usually did no more than 15 minutes each side so my nipples wouldn't get to sore. Some times they will use you for the pacifier. When they get older, I usually let them suck for as long as they wanted but no more than 20 minutes depending on my schedule. It is all what you feel comfortable. My baby only feeds for 4-5 minutes on one side and 10-15 on the other... go figure...

Answer 6

about 10-20 minutes on each side!
but, when my son was born i was not producing enough milk and he would have to be on each side for 1hr, if your baby has had enough on either side after about 30 minutes they will probably stop. i only breast fed while in hospital then changed when i got home because of my lack of milk, so yeah.

Answer 7

U can breastfeed as long as u want

Answer 8

they will feed til they're done. if they fall asleep then stick your finger in to release the suction and they will probably wake up or move about and you can put them on the other. they will naturally start to suck again. if not then make sure to start the baby on the fuller one next feeding which will probably be sooner than expected if she just ate on the one side.

Answer 9

They will stop eating or fall asleep. Don't worry about him/her eating enough. If he/she is still hungry, they will not be satisfied and will continue to cry! Kudos for breastfeeding, btw.

Answer 10

i read that you should nurse 10-20 minutes on each side and also they told us that in my prenatal classes