question for BFers...

drbethc

How long does your LO nurse for? And how long before the next session?

My LO used to nurse for an hour and be satisfied for 2 hours. However, lately, he nurses for about 5-10 minutes...I'm wondering if nursing sessions become shorter as they get older and if LO will still be satisfied for 2 hours? 

couliegirl

Sessions w/ E have gotten much shorter. Babies become more efficient nursers as they get older. Thank God!

Asquared

Between 5-15 minutes, they definitely get more efficient!   Enjoy your new *free* time!

kincaid44

Our nursing sessions are much shorter.  He used to nurse anywhere from 30-45 minutes but now it's anywhere from 5-20, depending on how hungry he is and whether he is comfort sucking after he's done eating, which he likes to do.  He eats every 2-3 hours.  

jess9802

About 5-10 minutes every 3 hours or so. When he is comfort nursing it can take much longer, though.

stepper1725

They've definitely gotten shorter, about 10 minutes or so. Her last session of the night lasts longer because she's gotten into the habit of pulling off and smiling at me, which is adorable. During the day on the weekends she nurses every 2 - 3 hours. With bottles (3.5 oz of breastmilk) she will go 3 to 4 hours in between feeds.

acbfreire

Sessions are definitely shorter: 15 min ish instead of an hour, but she is eating every hour still... Waiting for this crazy period to end!

strawberrytree

Usually 510 minutes every 23 hours, but when he is nursing to sleep they are much longer. He's not actively eating the whole time then, though.

amberlynnr7

couliegirl:

Babies become more efficient nursers as they get older.!

that. Exactly.

Starbear06

It's definitely been shorter than what it used to be in the early weeks. It used to be 40- 1 hr but for the past month or two it's been about 20ish minutes maybe less. They do become more efficient at nursing and that's why EBF always say that it's easier than bottlefeeding which I didn't understand at all until DS became more efficient then I was able to nurse, burp, diaper change, then go on with my day. But at our LO's age we have to make sure they are not distracted while nursing and not taking in enough milk during the day and causing the 4 month wakeful...

seansgirl2006

Yup, only around 10-20 minutes for us too.

jasminelorraine20

DS will nurse for anywhere between 10-20 minutes and won't need to eat again for another 2-3 hours. Sometimes more.

notfrancie

DD takes about 8-15 minutes for a full feed and wants to nurse every 2.5 hours or so.  If she has a bottle (I pump at work) she takes 4 oz and that will usually hold her over for 3-3.5 hours.  She has become such a strong nurser that DH says she sounds just like the breast pump

GeekFantasy

Just this last week or so it's decreased significantly.  She was definitely a leisurely nurser.  Now it's 15ish minutes, depending on if she wants both sides and longer in the evening and overnight.  Honestly don't know how long she ends up nursing during the night, as I usually fall back asleep while she's nursing. :P  She goes anywhere from 2.5 to 4.5 hours.

amberleeb

about 5 min and she eats every 2 to 3.5 hours.