how frequently and for how long should a 3 week old need to breastfeed?

Question

i had a lot of trouble in the beginning with breastfeeding due to my doctor insisting that i supplement with formula at every feeding. now i am exclusively breastfeeding but and it seems that my baby wants to feed constantly and is always hungry even after an hour of nursing. either that or he falls asleep while nursing and i can't wake him up ... until i try to put him down and then he wakes and wants to nurse again. when do the feedings get easier and of shorter duration? it seems like all i do all day and night is breastfeed! (at least every 3 hours, usually for 40 minutes or more at a time)

Answer 1

Wow thats not too bad my son ate every two hours for about 20 minutes. at 3 weeks 6 and 12 weeks they go through a growth spurt and eat more often.
momof4

Answer 2

First, congratulations on continuing with the breastfeeding. I am still nursing my son who is 9months old now and when he was this age I felt like all I did was nurse! Every 3 hours for about 40 minutes sounds about right (remember that the time between feedings starts at the time you started (i.e. if you start at 2 then will be due again at 5, no matter how long he nurses). Especially since he was supplemented with formula earlier, then you will need to increase your own supply which happens by the baby nursing more frequently and longer until your supply increases. I now sometimes miss those long feedings in that I could relax and watch tv/movies while he nursed. Now he nurses for about 10-15 min total and then is on the go. The frequency and time spent nursing will frequently change and before you know it he will be nursing less and less and becoming very efficient at it. I at times didn't think I could do it anymore but am now glad that I hung in there and those times already feel so long ago.

Answer 3

The first 6 weeks is the hardest part.

Yes, a 3 week old will feel like he is feeding constantly. He is probably going through a growth spurt about now. He'll have another one around 6 weeks. These are times where it feels like all you do is nurse and they last about 2-4 days while he boosts your supply to the new level he needs. On top of that, he's probably trying to rebuild your supply some from the supplementing you were doing.

A breastfed child this age needs to eat AT LEAST every 2 hours around the clock. There may be one longer stretch of sleep, say 4 hours or so, per day. Feeding more often is normal too, especially at growth spurt times. Keep in mind that his tummy is the size of his little fist and breastmilk digests in about 90 minutes.

Answer 4

Yes, it is normal! And even when you think you have no milk left, it is useful to keep the baby nursing if he wants to, because that will stimulate your milk production.

Courage! In a few weeks, the feedings will probably get much shorter (for me since he is 3 months he now takes 5 minutes each time). Meanwhile, get comfortable, watch movies or talk on the phone while breastfeeding, or feed while laying on your side and get some rest!

Answer 5

I'm so sorry you received such bad/outdated advice about supplementing with formula. That's really sad. I would not go back to that doctor.

Anyway a 3 week old is most likely going through a growth spurt, I remember nursing for what seemed like 72 hours strait. The feedings will get farther and farther apart and as he/she gets better at nursing he'll be able to get more out faster. It just takes a few weeks. By 8 weeks you should both be old pro's at it. Best of luck!

Answer 6

there is not any set age whilst a baby must be executed breastfeeding. it rather is a controversy of your own thoughts and your baby's needs. some infants grow to be bored & thoroughly self-wean on their own presently after their first birthdays, others might thankfully nurse till they have been 6. everyone has their own own ideals approximately breastfeeding, and regrettably, many women individuals are no longer respectful of that. for each lady who tells you that is "gross" breastfeed previous a million 3 hundred and sixty 5 days, there is yet another who will call you an undeserving mom for wanting to offer up that quickly. the two factors could be the two judgmental. I had an unusual subject with my first being pregnant. I had to pump solely by way of my daughter's prematurity and digestive wellbeing subject concerns, so weaning from the breast replaced into no longer a controversy. i'm pregnant back, due in August, and this time wish to nurse solely for six-3 hundred and sixty 5 days and play it via ear after that. i does no longer individually breastfeed previous age 2, yet i do no longer choose others who do.

Answer 7

That sound about right. Breastfead babies eat every 2-3 hours for 40 minutes each. No more that 1 hour. That is what I was told by my midwife and breastfeeding consultant. My problem with my 2 1/2 wk old is every time she latches onto the breast she wants to go to sleep. She still sucks but slowly unless I shake her or tap her feet. I was told as long as she is gaining weight dont worry she is getting enough.

Answer 8

You should nurse your baby 8 to 10 times a day. Try 15 minutes on each breast. It's not gonna be easy but it will get better after a while.
Good luck! and Congratulations!

Answer 9

Oh gosh, I had 2 babies that were like that!! I remember feeling like I was just a big ole milk cow!! Don't worry, as your baby gets bigger, he will want to eat less!
My 3rd child was on the breast at least every hour and a half for a few months.
It gets much easier as time goes by! Keep up the good work!

Answer 10

Sorry to tell you but thats about right. Most babies that age eat every 3 - 5 hours. What you have to consider is that it is timed "start to start". So really the baby east every 2 hours since it takes so long (avg. 30 - 45 min.)
Build your supply so that your baby gets more at each sitting. Also, talk to your doctor, my pediatrician said I could drink half a beer every 2 or 3 days to make my milk a bit richer.