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Change in nursing time?

bridz2bebridz2be
in Pennsylvania Babies

The past few weeks I've noticed that Ella's nursing sessions have gotten shorter and shorter. Some nights I feel like I'm done nursing her in about 10-15 minutes (both sides). Of course, this is compared to her hour long or more nursing sessions when she was a newborn, so of course this feels a blink of the eye to me. While nursing, she is definitely sucking hard and swallowing as normal. She pulls away and seems content and not hungry, and I usually try to put her back on several times. I've chalked this up to her just becoming more efficient. Is it normal for their nursing times to decrease significantly in time?

 We did start rice cereal just after 4 mos. because of her weight, but we do this 2x per day, and after nursing/bottle at daycare, so I don't think the shorter nursing times would be due to not being hungry. I think I'm still producing enough. I stopped the fenugreek, but am managing to pump enough to give her 2 6 oz. bottles while at daycare, plus nursing her 3-4x per day.

Thoughts? 

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Re: Change in nursing time?

  • innerpeaceinnerpeace
    In my experience and in what I have read, that's completely normal.  They just become more efficient at nursing.  J used to take 45 minutes to nurse for the first few months, then it slowly changed to about 30 mins, then 20, and now less than 10.  Congrats on continuing to nurse!
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  • bridz2bebridz2be

    Thanks for the quick response and I'm so glad to hear that this is completely normal! It seems like 15 minutes is on the longer side lately, with 10 the norm. While the in-and-out drive thru style is great for when we're busy, I think I'm beginning to miss those long sessions... perhaps those first few months where all I did was nurse it seemed really weren't so tiring after all! :)

    With Ella being in only the 3-5% for weight (at least at her 4 mo) I wanted to make sure this was normal. Keeping up with her/pumping at work full time has been tough, but I'm so glad I have!

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  • Christina617Christina617
    I agree that it is normal.  Ethan became super efficient and if he wasn't lingering (which he started to do at the end), he finished in minutes.  I hope everything continues to go well for you!
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  • bonnylassbonnylass
    Totally normal!  Carina did the same exact thing and as you can see from her chubby little arms and legs, she's getting plenty. I miss the long, relaxing nursing session sometimes too.
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  • PennyLane06PennyLane06
    Our time has decreased too but now Jack is into the VERY easily distracted nursing stage.  No longer is it possible to watch TV or carry on a conversation with someone in the same room because he has to turn to see what he's missing.  :)
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  • bridz2bebridz2be
    Jen, we're right there with you! We joke that we should just cancel cable, I don't even know when the last time we watched TV was unless it was DVR'd. Ella has always been really aware of her surroundings and especially the TV! During nursing, even her room is too much, she is constantly turning to stare up at her books and stuffed animals. So cute though! :)
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