Breastfeeders- questions for ya!

Okay it has been a long time for me so I have a few questions and I always prefer to come here!

New baby how long did you nurse on each side? Did you nurse on both sides at each feeding? Or did you nurse say 20 minutes or so on one side?

How often did you nurse? every hour and half? two hours?three hours?

Lucas is a great nurser let me say first of all he nurses 10-15 minutes on each side longer if I would let him but that is just comfort I think. So anyway after each side for at least 15 minutes he often won't burp and then 20-30 minutes later acts as if he is starving again when I am almost 100% positive he needs to burp because of a gas bubble. Last week since I was in the hospital for two days he had to have a bottle now my mom thinks I should give him a bottle when he acts like he is still hungry...I would rather not and want your opinion? Oh and sometimes he wants to eat like every hour and half is that normal? He also thinks if you change his diaper he should eat! Just curious how it works with yall!

I just wanted some opinions from those avid breast feeders! Thanks!
Beth

I'd say every hour and half is normal for breastfeeding. If I remember correctly, when I was attempting to BF, I nursed 20 min. each side and then Nick was hungry an hour later! I never got any sleep. He could be going thru a growth spurt too and wanting more. I don't know about the diaper/feeding situation. Sounds like a comfort thing perhaps. I use to visit a breastfeeding forum that was really helpful, but for the life of me, I cannot remember the name.

thanks, oh yeah sleep is not something I get these days not much anyway but I want to nurse long term so I want to make sure to do whatever I can to make this work not to mention he is doing so good and I don't want to mess it up I just had forgotten that I would be nursing every hour sometimes! if you think of the name of the breastfeeding forum that would be great!

Babycenter.com has a breastfeeding forum. I've gotten some helpful info already and I haven't started nursing yet. Check it out!

Sometimes they nurse more and longer as a way to increase your milk supply. It natures way of keeping up with his needs.  I was always told to do 20 minutes on each side. My oldest had a hard time latching so I would nurse on the right side for one feeding and then the next time nurse on the left side. I have nursed 3 children so I definatly avid breast feeder. I also plan on nursing this little peanut when he/she arrives.  I would not give him a bottle unless there was absolutly no way around it, like when you were in the hospital. I think you are doing a great job!

Thanks! I guess we will just keep on going because he really does a great job and if he seems hungry I guess I will just nurse him again:-)
I would rather not do a bottle either!

So you should nurse on each side every time? I think I remember reading that you should but I just wanted to clarify. And if you nurse 15-20 minutes each side then one feeding can last 20-40 minutes each time ?!? What'll I do when I go back to work? Okay, now I'm getting worried... I've only got about 18 days left... HELP Emily!

My sisters twins were born Friday and have been in the NICU over the weekend and one of the nurses was explaining that when baby is awake they think it is time to eat. So they don't disturb the babies for 3-4 hours at a time. Also breastmilk is completely metabolized by babies bodies so they are naturally hungerier (sp?) faster...

HTH (I am not a breastfeeder yet but plan to...so I research alot lol)
~Flora

thanks Flora, I pumped 10 years ago and nursed for a while 18 years ago but holy cow I think I have lost too many brain cells over the years and have forgotten alot :-)

I totally enjoy breastfeeding just forgot that it can often be every hour!

I pumped for my trips for four months hope your sister gets to latch them on soon, it helps alot! congrats btw!!

Beth

Thanks Beth! They are really doing great both latch with a nipple shield she is just trying her best to figure out how to feed them both at the same time. But her milk has come in so that is one hurdle overcome!! I am so happy she is so excited about breastfeeding her little ones!!