length of feed
The nursing pattern of every baby will vary between about 10-45 minutes.
As a general rule, keep your baby on your breast for as long as interest in suckling shown.
Many babies get their milk in the early part of the feed but your baby needs to feed for a reasonable time to obtain the hindmilk. This is the thick and creamy, rich milk that comes towards the end of a feed and is very high in calories. So remember to always finish off the first side first.
Most babies will come off the breast at this point and can be burped and offered the second side. Then the next time you feed, offer your last used breast first. If your baby seems content with just one complete breast, don’t worry; just start the next feed off with the other unused breast.
frequent feeds
Breastfed babies enjoy frequent feeds because of their small stomach size, the rapid digestion of breast milk, and to meet their growth and energy needs. Remember, the more you feed, the more milk your body will produce.
Colostrum-feeding newborns will usually nurse about every two hours, or at least 8-12 times a day. Once full milk is in, newborns typically have at least 8 feeds every 24 hours. But every mother and baby are different. Some babies are fast feeders and other babies enjoy a long slow feed; some are frequent feeders while others routinely sleep for 4-5 hours.
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