How lond do you keep the baby on your breast?

Amy - posted on 11/18/2008

Yep! When my son was 4 months, he would be on one breast for 10-15 minutes, and then take the other for another 5-10 minutes. When he hit around 9 months, he went down to about 5-7 minutes per breast, and has stuck there for the past 4-5 months (he's almost 14 months now). Some days it's a little less, and some days it's a little more.

Holly - posted on 11/18/2008

I let my baby stay on one breast for as long as she wants. She usually stays on longer before naps and bedtime. Feedings for us usually last from 5-30 minutes. I only nurse her on one side per feeding.

Suzie - posted on 11/17/2008

i think all babies are different that's for sure!!! some can do 20 mins on each side or even 2 but let your baby decide what they want:)

Jana - posted on 11/17/2008

Hi there! lets see, my 4 month old nurses every 3-4 hours and will stay on for aboout 15 mintues. My 22 month old nurses about 5 times a day and will stay on as long as he can ( it varies depending on the time of day and how interesting his toys are to him at the moment). I offered DS#1 both breasts, but with DS#2, he has always been a one side at a time kinda guy so I do not push it. He has definitely become more efficient at nursing...at birth he nursed for over an hour and now it will take in 10-15 minutes to get full! like a pp stated eery child is different and I am definitely seeing that between my two boys as well. Best of wishes to you and yor family!

Debbie - posted on 11/17/2008

wow ... I have the opposite. I nurse every 2-3 hours during the day and my 3.5 month old daughter will nurse for 30-45 min sometimes even an hour.

Yelena - posted on 11/17/2008

Thanks all. I do both sides mostly bc I had a pretty bad infection early on and want to make sure that it doesn't happen again, so I like him to empty me at least half way on both breasts. I still have milk in both after he is done. I don't let him stay on longer than he is actually eating. Do you guys think it's a mistake? Am I not letting him "comfort" himself or something? I am trying to figure out how long it actually takes me to get full. I've pumped for most of his first 3 months and now want to make sure he still gets what he needs

Daryl - posted on 11/17/2008

My daughter would only take one side at a time for the first 5 months and be done in 6 minutes tops. Now she is taking both sides but is still done with both in less than 10 minutes. I love that she's a quick nurser...it makes it so much easier when i have to nurse in public.

Keely - posted on 11/17/2008

What i have been told is let them eat till they are satisfied.This on demand method works well for me. I also let my son suck a little longer after the milk is gone, its comforting i guess. Sounds like what you are doing is working well.Keep up the good work.

Staci - posted on 11/17/2008

my son is 3 1/2 months and he can empty my breast in 5-8 minutes. I'll let him stay on for 10-15 minutes but I don't offer him the other -- I tend to have 4-5 ounces in each breast and he's usually content with one. if he still seems hungry he'll get the other and will only stay on for another 5 minutes to finish. we're nursing every 2-3 hours around the clock.

Rebecca - posted on 11/17/2008

It totally depends on the child. My children have always been fast nursers - there was never really a change. Other moms can never believe that my children are done so quickly. And they have been in the 95+ percentiles for weight in the first year so I didn't worry about them getting enough. I think the change to being efficient happens pretty early on, and like Nicole says, it's their choice to stay on. My 9-month-old has pretty much always been done in under 3 minutes, unless she is tired or feeling particularly cuddly. I also have a large milk supply so all three of my kids only ate from one side at a time, although I'm thinking that my little one may be ready to try both.

Nicole - posted on 11/17/2008

Well, yes and no. Yes, they do become very efficient, but no that doesn't mean that they'll actually leave the boob then.

My son is 23 mo. and he nurses still about every 2-5 hours during the day and definitely before napping or bed. He will nurse a good 10 mins still at least, sometimes even up to an hour. He also does what I call, "Drive By's"! He comes and takes a quick pull and he's off playing again. It's a little annoying, but it's like he needs some comfort, or to know it's still there and he's good to go. LOL!