How long...

DreamDisney

I have a friend of mine that is constantly questioning her breastfeeding. My daughter is a champ at it so I have some advice but I have a question I can't answer or can't find... About how long after a baby is nursing are they not getting any more milk? She claims baby is fussy and she thinks he's still hungry. But she's feeding on both sides and she said anywhere like at least 20 minutes on each side. Thank you!

ncbelle

There's no set amount.  Some babies are very fast and other babies are really slow especially as newborns.  A 40 minute nursing session is totally normal.  Also remember your breasts are never truly "empty" as you are constantly making more milk.

If she has concerns, I would encourage her to meet with an IBCLC to have babies latch checked and to do weighed feedings to make sure intake is good.

DreamDisney

Yeah I know they're never "empty" persay. I'm not sure if he's comfort sucking or actually nursing. He's gaining weight and his output is normal too. She says she talks to a LC but I asked if she offers him a pacifier after and asks if he fusses and she said it calms him down sometimes. She's just constantly thinking what she is doing wrong because she's not on a schedule and freezing milk like I am but I keep reassuring every mom is different. Every baby is different.

AnotherPreggo

How is baby's weight gain?  How old is baby?  

I am sure a LC has checked for a tongue tie... but I only mention it because my pal's 5 month old just had to get the procedure done after discovering it on her own.... after seeing countless feeding-related specialists (pedi GI, nutritionist, feeding specialist, several LCs, and 2 different pedis).  She ended up quitting nursing after a couple months, and wonders if things would have worked out better had this been figured out (baby has other GI issues).  

Ditto what PPs have said.  Get baby to a certified LC to check out latch and get weighed feedings.  The girl I mentioned, her daughter would nurse for up to an hour and get only 2oz or less.  

MamaLlama14

I had more than one letdown and DS would often fuss between letdowns because the flow would slow down in between.