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How long should a newborn nurse on each side?

spartybride3spartybride3 member
in Breastfeeding
We just got home from the hospital and my milk is in. At first she was on a good schedule but the last 24 hours or so she feeds for about 15-20 min and sleeps during the session. I can only get her to eat from 1 side at that point. Am I letting her eat too long for her age (5 days)? How do I get her to eat from both sides so I'm not in pain and leaking?

Also, I plan to get a lactation consultant, but I need to get through the next couple days. Thanks!
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Re: How long should a newborn nurse on each side?

  • KingsGirl4KingsGirl4 member
    While I was at the hospital, the lactation consultant told me to let the baby nurse as long as he wanted on one side, then burp and offer the other side. She said it was okay if he didn't want the other side. She told me I could hand express or pump to relieve the pressure. I didn't do either, but the discomfort only lasted about a day maybe a two. My son is now two weeks old and sometimes he eats from both sides and sometimes he only eats from one. If he eats from one I always start the next feeding from the side he didn't eat from or only ate a little from.
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  • Meg&AustinMeg&Austin member
    I am so glad you asked this i was going to search the board today for this answer! I was worried doing only one side a feeding would mess with supply bc I was stopping baby after 10 minutes on one breast and getting 8-10 on the other and sometimes none bc she is extremely lazy! Glad to know it has worked for others!
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  • KriztynKriztyn member
    My Dr. told me 10 minutes on each side... after 10 minutes.. baby really isn't getting much milk and is more sucking to soothe.
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  • Meg&AustinMeg&Austin member
    casey78 said:


    Meg&Austin said:

    I am so glad you asked this i was going to search the board today for this answer! I was worried doing only one side a feeding would mess with supply bc I was stopping baby after 10 minutes on one breast and getting 8-10 on the other and sometimes none bc she is extremely lazy! Glad to know it has worked for others!

    I think the key is making sure baby has enough time and can stay awake long enough to finish. I preferred to just let LO go as long as she wanted on the first side. Burp. Reoffer first side. Burp. Offer second side. 

    yeah that's our problem the day we left the hospital we worked with a lactation consultant for 4 hours and she says my daughter is the most stubborn baby she's ever worked with all she wants to do is sleep. She's never actually woken up for a feeding i wake her up every 3 hours and it's still an issue getting her to wake up each time. I've started just stripping her down changing her diaper and leaving her lay in the playpen while I eat so that she can try to wake up
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  • spartybride3spartybride3 member
    At the hospital we were feeding 15-20 on each side and they said that was fine. I've been up since 4am with her. Every time she falls asleep and lets go so I burp her, offer again, or offer the other one. Then i out her down and shes up 15 min later wanting to eat or she just doesn't sleep at all. Neither of us have slept because she just wants to eat, but her actual feeding time ranges from 6-25 min. It wasn't like this in the hospital. I fed her and then she slept for 2-3 hours. This hasn't happened once since we've been home. I just don't know what to do.
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  • spartybride3spartybride3 member
    Oh, and when I burp her, she tends to spit up a lot which makes me think I'm over feeding.
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  • sishamariesishamarie member
    Let her nurse as much as she wants... I know it is so hard because you are probably sore due to getting used to the feedings but this is baby's way of increasing your supply.

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  • ChichigoChichigo member
    There is nothing wrong with allowing your baby to continue to suck to sooth-commonly called comfort nursing. More stimulation in the early weeks sets the stage for a better supply for the entire breastfeeding timeframe.

    Expressed breast milk, coconut oil, lanolin, mother's love or earth momma angel baby nipple creams can all help ease discomfort.
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