How long does a baby usually need to breastfeed?

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How long to breastfeed depends on several factors including your baby's age and breast milk supply. An average feed can last 10 to 20 minutes, but babies can feed anywhere from 5 to 45 minutes at a time. Here's a guide to help you figure out how many minutes babies spend breastfeeding, what changes the length of breastfeeding, what short and long feeds mean, and when to call the doctor.

1. Factors affecting the duration of lactation

Some breastfed babies can breastfeed exclusively for 8 minutes. Other babies may need 30 minutes or more to get the same amount of breast milk. Things that affect the length of a baby's feeding include:
Age: Older babies can usually get enough breast milk for a shorter time. Alertness: A drowsy baby may not nurse or feed as quickly as a baby who is awake and alert. Mother's milk flow; If your breast milk flows quickly and you have an active lactation reflex, you will have more milk in no time. However, if your milk flow is slow and hard to come down or is blocked, it may take longer for your baby to get enough milk. Health: Premature babies or babies born with health problems can get tired easily while breastfeeding; Frequent breaks can prolong feeding times. Breastfeeding: Good sucking helps the baby to suckle breast milk more efficiently and thus can fill up in a shorter time. Milk supply: If you have a low breast milk supply or your baby is going through a growth spurt, your baby may spend more time breastfeeding trying to get more breast milk.

2. Breastfeeding time by age

Age can have the biggest influence on the duration of breastfeeding. Newborns need time to practice and learn, while older infants begin to gain the experience and skills to be able to breastfeed more. Here is some general information about the age and duration of breastfeeding.

2.1. Infant

Newborns should be fed at least every 2 to 3 hours and fed each side for 10 to 15 minutes. An average of 20 to 30 minutes per feed helps ensure that your baby is getting enough breast milk. It also allows enough time to stimulate the body to build up milk supply. Here are signs that your newborn has been nursing long enough at each feed:
Your baby has at least six bowel movements a day after 5 days of age Your baby is gaining weight well. Your breasts feel softer and less tight after each feeding. Your baby seems satisfied after each feed and sleeps well between feeds.

2.2. Children from 3 to 4 months old

During the first few months, the feeding time is gradually shortened and the time between feeds is slightly longer. By the time the baby is 3 to 4 months old, breastfeeding, the baby will gain weight and develop well. It may take only 5 to 10 minutes for your baby to drain the breast and get all the milk he needs.

2.3. Children from 6 to 9 months

When starting to eat solid foods and drinking from a cup at around 6 months of age with greater freedom of movement, older babies may be able to feed quickly and then start playing. However, they may spend more time breastfeeding sleeping at night.

2.4. Toddlers

While breastfeeding continues to benefit older children, it should not be an important part of a toddler's diet. Toddlers should eat and drink a variety of foods.
Your baby may breastfeed only occasionally and for short periods of time. However, they may spend more time at the breast if they are looking for safety or comfort, especially during illness or after injury.

3. Common problems related to breastfeeding time

Experts recommend that you follow your baby's instructions when it's time to feed and not worry about the time. When latching on properly and actively suckling, you should let your baby nurse for as long as you like.
Once the baby stops nursing or falls asleep, you can remove the baby from the breast, change the diaper or feed the baby on the other breast.
During certain times, you may experience changes in how long your baby is breastfeeding. You may need to adjust your activities to accommodate changes to your baby's needs.

3.1. Adjust depending on the child's growth rate

Newborns need more breast milk during and after growth. So, during periods of rapid growth, babies may breastfeed more often and spend more time than usual at each feed.
Increasing the duration of breastfeeding is trying to get more nutrients and energy to support the growing body. And by breastfeeding for longer than a few minutes, it sends a signal to your body to make more breast milk.
Growth spurts can occur at any age, but they usually occur around 2 to 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months of age. The growth spurts last only a few days and then the baby usually settles back into a more normal breastfeeding routine.

3.2. Short feedings

It may take a few minutes for your milk to come down and start to flow well. If your baby falls asleep or stops nursing before they start feeding, they won't get enough milk. In addition, the composition of breast milk changes from foremilk to final milk as your baby breastfeeds.
It's important that your baby feeds long enough on each breast so that the last milk has more fat and calories. This milk helps your baby gain weight and maintain a feeling of fullness between feeds.
If the baby sucks less, it can cause a lot of milk to be left in the breast. This can put you at risk for painful engorgement, blocked milk ducts, reduced milk supply, and a number of other common breastfeeding problems.
Try to keep your baby awake and actively suckling on your breast for as long as possible. If your baby feeds for a short time (less than 5 minutes) at most feedings, contact your pediatrician. Poor breastfeeding can indicate a health problem and you should seek medical attention when accompanied by unusual signs.

3.3. Extended feedings

During the first few days of breastfeeding, it is not unusual for a baby to nurse for longer or very often. However, by day five, your milk supply should increase and your baby should be able to get as much breast milk as he needs in 45 minutes.
If your baby only feeds on your breast for more than 45 minutes at a time, it means he's not getting enough milk. Call your doctor, pediatrician or a health professional to evaluate the problem and help resolve it as soon as possible

4. Breastfeeding time versus bottle feeding

Bottle-fed babies are different from breast-feeding. Nowadays, some babies have difficulty with bottle feeding and feeding can also take a long time. However, because the supply of infant formula or breast milk from bottle nipples is steady, regular and regular bottle-fed babies can finish a bottle in about 10 minutes.
The milk flow from the breast is not as regular as the bottle. Breast milk may begin to flow slowly and then flow faster as it drains. The flow slows down as the milk begins to run out.
Breastfed babies will adjust their feeding rate to the flow of breast milk. They pump about once per second or slower when milk flows fast and increase suction when milk flow slows. Therefore, the duration of breastfeeding depends on the amount and flow of breast milk and the infant.

5. Breastfeeding challenges

If you are concerned about your baby's feeding time or if you have any questions about breastfeeding, you should talk to your baby's doctor. You should also call your doctor if your baby shows certain signs.
Contact your health care provider if your baby has any of the following:
Has very long or very short feedings Has less than six bowel movements a day after the fifth day Is irritable cranky, fussy, and seemingly unsatisfied after most feedings Bad breastfeeding Sleepy for most feeds In short, every baby is different and so is every mother. Your baby may latch on and feed well from the first feed or it may take a while to start feeding. You may have no difficulty with the breastfeeding reflex and have a healthy breast milk supply, or you may have difficulty breastfeeding and slow milk production. There are many things that can affect the length of breastfeeding.
In the beginning, patience is key. You and your baby need time to learn together. This can certainly be difficult and exhausting if you're breastfeeding for forty minutes every two hours, but don't give up. With persistence, you'll have a healthy breast milk supply, your baby will get used to breastfeeding, and breastfeeding will be quicker and easier. Of course, if you are concerned about feeding times being too long or too short or if you have any questions, your doctor or your baby's doctor is the best source of information.
For children to be healthy and develop well, it is necessary to have a nutritious diet in terms of quantity and quality balance. If children are not provided with adequate and balanced nutrients, it will lead to diseases of excess or lack of nutrients, which adversely affect the comprehensive development of children in terms of physical, mental and motor skills.
Children who do not eat properly are at risk of micro-mineral deficiency causing anorexia, growth retardation, malabsorption,... If they notice the above signs, parents should supplement their children with products. The supplement contains lysine, essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as zinc, chromium, selenium, and B vitamins to help fully meet the nutritional needs of children. At the same time, these essential vitamins also support digestion, enhance nutrient absorption, help improve anorexia, and help children eat well.
Parents can learn more:
Signs of zinc deficiency in children
Micronutrient deficiency and failure to gain weight in children
Please regularly visit Vinmec.com website and update useful information to take care of your child. Take care of the baby and the whole family.

Reference sources: babycenter.com, verywellfamily.com