Duration of Early Feedings

In previous blogs, I have addressed recommendations regarding breastfeeding frequency in the early hours and days after birth. However, mothers may wonder how long feedings should last. So, here are a few words on early, in-hospital feeding duration.
During the first few days after delivery and before the transitional milk comes in, it is important that mothers allow their babies to feed at breast for as long as baby indicates a desire to do so. This is, of course, providing that mom is physically and emotionally comfortable. In the distant past, it was thought that limiting an infant’s feeding time at breast would prevent nipple soreness. This is NOT the case!!! As long as an infant is attached correctly and there is little or no discomfort for mom, unlimited feedings may take place without the risk of soreness.
Frequent, unlimited feeding at breast is advantageous to both mother and baby. For mother, frequent, unlimited feeding promotes milk production, rest and relaxation as she progresses through early post-partum. Unlimited feeding may also prevent painful breast engorgement as her transitional milk comes in. For baby, this allows plenty of practice in transferring milk BEFORE he has to handle the larger volumes. Furthermore, baby receives more colostrum (lots more swallowing), gains weight faster, stabilizes body temperature and blood sugar levels, expels more meconium, develops less jaundice, etc, etc.
In summary, if breastfeeding is comfortable for mom, and baby is swallowing at the breast, length of feedings need not be a concern.