How soon does baby become efficient at BFing?

CLML

DD2 is just over a week old and has been a wonderful nurser from the start. In the 1st few days home she was nursing every 2-3 hours for 10-15 minutes on the each breast. This was during my engorgement period. The past 2 days she has been nursing for much shorter amounts of time - I feel like I have to keep her really engaged to nurse past 10 minutes on the 1st breast, usually its closer to 8 min. Then on the 2nd breast its like 3-5 minutes. My breasts feel relatively soft when she's done and most of the time she's not fussing afterwards...although sometimes she is. In these cases I latch her back on but she doesn't really do much with it. She had regained her birth weight as of Monday.

Is it too soon for her to be that efficient at draining my breast? DD1 was a poor nurser so I EPed with her and this experience is totally new to me. I know I should look at the baby not the clock, but I just figured I'd throw this out there to see if anyone had any advice. Thanks!

rcbuko

At a week old she could be efficient for sure.  It sounds as though she is satisfied and even if she gets fussy soon afterwards and wants to eat again, it is likely because she is going through a growth spurt.  I BF both my girls and they were both very different nursers.  My first DD was a bit harder to get started and was a cluster feeder.  She would sometimes want to eat only a half hour after her prior eating but she drank so often during the day that she STTN from 7 weeks on with no prompting.  My second DD was easier to start and ate every 2-3 hours from the beginning but at 13 months old, she still doesn't consistently STTN (at least now she is only waking once a night if at all).   

nosoup4u

DS1 wasn't a quick nurser until a few months in, like 10+ weeks. DS2 figured out breastfeeding a lot faster, but I can't remember when (poor second kids!), I just know it seemed sooner.

I would offer her the breast more often if you're worried, count wet and dirty diapers, etc etc. hth

katcarls

DS was a fast nurser from the start.  He never nursed for more than 10-15 minutes total.  As long as she's gaining weight and having plenty of wet and dirty diapers, she's getting enough.  Be happy that you won't feel like your constantly nursing!