Feedings?

Question

So I’m past the 2 week mark and my baby is past regaining her birth weight. I was told we could extend our feeding to 2.5-3 hours in between. Additionally I was encouraged to pump after feedings to start storing my milk. My question is how do I know my baby is done with eating? My Lactation consultant has told me to not let her nurse longer than 30 minutes (15 on each side). I’d like her to naturally show me she is done but I really think she would stay attached to me all day if she could. She doesn’t really unlatch. Should it be if she falls asleep take her off? Or is the 30 minutes a good rule?

Answer

my son tells me when he’s done by either falling asleep or pulling off. sometimes he will feed from one side for 30 minutes & my milk will let down 2-3 times during that feeding & then i’ll feed from the other side next time he nurses. HOWEVER in the beginning i was feeding from both sides because my son never seemed satisfied from just one side, now at almost 3 mo old he is a champion breast feeder

Answer

Throw out the rules - your baby hasn’t read them! Well done for getting through the first weeks - the next months are going to be full of cluster feeding and fussiness where you baby may not want to feed for hours or may need to feed almost constantly. Trust your baby’s cues, and do what feels most comfortable. You can unlatch your child if they’re asleep and you want to slip away, but you won’t do any harm by leaving them latched on. Also, it’s very early to start pumping - your supply has not settled yet and won’t until around the three-month mark. It could trigger an oversupply, which can be uncomfortable for your baby, so I would really get more advice on that before you start pumping. Good luck!

Answer

I tend to take mine off if she falls asleep and doesn’t resist (start sucking again) when I try to pull her away. I’m surprised she told you to switch breasts though - I was told to feed on one for as long as possible and offer the other if needed, then start with the opposite side at next feeding to keep them even.

Answer

Per my breastfeeding instructor and lactation consultant, watch the clock not the baby. If your baby is showing hunger cues before 2.5 hours, feed her. If she’s ok to 3 hours, then wait. I’m surprised she recommended timing feedings per breast, as well. Her general “rule” was have the baby feed for as long as they want and then switch. When the baby stops sucking for longer periods then de-latch and switch sides..

Feedings?

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