How long should I let my 6 day old feed off each breast?

Question

She only stay on about 10 to 15 min should I keep her on longer?

Answer 1

As long as she wants and as often as she wants. You may find she doesn't want to suck for very long at a time, this is because she has a very tiny tummy and needs to feed little and often.

Express some milk - you'll probably have it to spare! - after she's fed and freeze it and then you'll be able to use it later in a bottle so you can get a bit of a break!

Answer 2

At first I was just like you I worried about how long and tried to switch her from one to the other after about 7 min. Then I did a ton of research and I learned that the longer you let them nurse from one side the more fat the milk in that breast has ( in the back ) so now I wear a safety pin on my nursing bra and I let her eat from one side each time she feeds and then the next time I start her on the other side. This seems to work a lot better than switching her. Good luck

Answer 3

Please, check out the La Leche League website, there is some very good information there.



How can I tell if my baby is getting enough milk?

This may be the most asked question for La Leche League Leaders. It is understandable, since breasts are neither see-through nor marked off in ounces. Thank goodness there are other signs that indicate baby is getting enough milk.

Typically during the first few days, while the baby is receiving mother's thick, immunity-boosting colostrum, he will wet only one or two diapers per day.

Once mother's milk comes in, usually on the third or fourth day, the baby should begin to have 6-8 wet cloth diapers (5-6 wet disposable diapers) per day. (An easy way to feel the weight of a wet disposable diaper is to pour 2-4 tablespoons of water in a dry diaper.)

In addition, most young babies will have at least two to five bowel movements every 24 hours for the first several months, although some babies will switch to less frequent but large bowel movements at about 6 weeks.

A baby that is sleeping rather than feeding every 2-3 hours or is generally lethargic may need to be assessed by a health care provider to make sure that he is adequately hydrated.

These are additional important signs that indicate your baby is receiving enough milk:

* The baby nurses frequently averaging at least 8-12 feedings per 24-hour period.
* The baby is allowed to determine the length of the feeding, which may be 10 to 20 minutes per breast or longer.
* Baby's swallowing sounds are audible as he is breastfeeding.
* The baby should gain at least 4-7 ounces per week after the fourth day of life.
* The baby will be alert and active, appear healthy, have good color, firm skin, and will be growing in length and head circumference.

The physical act of breastfeeding is more than the quantity of milk that is supplied, as you will find once you hold your baby in your arms. Breastfeeding is warmth, nutrition, and mother's love all rolled into one. Understanding and appreciating the signs of knowing when your baby is getting enough to eat is the one of the most important things a new mother can learn. If you have any concerns regarding your baby, they should be addressed with your health care practitioner.

Answer 4

Does she feed on both sides every time? If so, that is probably plenty...you really can't make her stay on there...if she is falling asleep, you can try tickling her feet to wake her back up...but if she is content after her feedings, then you are doing fine! If you are worried that she isn't getting enough, I'm sure they told you to keep track of how many wet/dirty diapers she has, but that is a good way to know...she will start nursing for longer periods of time as she gets older...for now, she's just getting used to be in this world! Good for you for giving your little girl a great start!!! Don't forget to drink lots of non caffinated liquids! Congrats on your new little girl!

Answer 5

Keep her on as long as she wants, she will either let you know she's full up or she'll fall asleep.
Remember she controls how fast or slow the milk flows out the breast, she could be a guzzler or she could me a slow eater.

The choice is hers, there is no right or wrong way just her way!!!

Don't swap breast through her feed though, keep to the same breast during a feed.

Enjoy
x

Answer 6

A baby will eat when it wants and how much it wants. Just don't let it start snack feeding because then you are in for a heep of trouble. My doctor recommends 10-15 minutes per side (even the nurses in the hospital)


Breast milk digests alot faster then formula so if it seems like she is eating alot that is why........http://www.askdrsears.com try this site i get alot of good info from it.

Answer 7

my son is now 9months old and when he was that young I was told 15 to 20 minutes on each, but my son only did about 10 to 15 minutes. He never ate as much as he was "supposed" to or what most babies ate. So now that I think back 10 to 15 minutes is probably enough, when she is full she will stop.

Answer 8

They told me in the hospital around 10min on each side, but I guess it depends on how FAST is your baby feeding - if I keep mine on one side for 10 min, she won't latch on the other. I have to switch her after 5 min top, she sucks really good and fast.

Answer 9

Congrats on being a new mom.You should let her stay on as long as she want, then burp her and put her on the second one.