Firstly, congratulations on becoming a mother. Having a newborn who is entirely dependent on you would be a little confusing for you, as everything seems new. The first thing you do is feed your baby. As a mother, you may have questions regarding newborn breastfeeding time. Here is a full article on all the things you need to know about newborn nursing.
1. When should I nurse my newborn?

You need to feed the baby within a few hours of birth. (Mostly after 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on your doctor’s advice ).
Most babies start learning to latch well during the initial few days, and you need to feed them frequently.
Frequent breastfeeding increases your milk supply, and it also gives your baby the practice of sucking and swallowing.
2. How often should a newborn be breastfed in a day?

Ideally, the newborn breastfeeding time should be every 1 to 3 hours, and it would come around 8 to 10 times a day or more for some babies.
Since the baby is very young, you do not want to wait until they cry for milk. Make sure to take note of the feeding times and feed them promptly every few hours.
Sometimes, your newborn breastfeeding time can last up to an hour. It is because they seek comfort from you, and it is absolutely normal.
Discuss with your lactation consultant if your baby is nursing for an hour regularly. It may indicate a low breast milk supply.
And some newborn babies tend to take feeds every half an hour, which is called cluster feeding.
3. How long should a breastfeeding session last for a newborn?

To be honest, it is subjective. Every baby is different, but most newborn breastfeeding time requires 15 to 45 minutes.
You can ideally feed them for 10 minutes on both sides till they stop sucking.
Most newborns will eventually fall asleep after the feed, and you can stop feeding then.
Sometimes, the newborn only nurses for 5 minutes and it stops. It is normal for babies to do so as long as they have a good pee and poop count and healthy weight gain.
4. How often should I breastfeed my newborn at night?

For newborn babies, night feeds are as important as day feeds. The newborn breastfeeding time interval should be maintained every 2 to 3 hours.
This phase lasts only for the initial few weeks, and when the baby grows a little older, you can extend the time between the feeds.
5. How long does it take for breasts to refill with milk?

Although there is no exact time for the breasts to refill the milk, you can try pumping or feeding the baby 30 minutes after your last session.
If you feel your breasts to be firmer, it is a sign that your milk supply is high.
The more you empty your milk, the more the milk it produces. So make sure to feed the baby well and pump milk if possible.
Your breast milk supply also works in the demand and supply method. The more your baby drinks and demands milk, the more milk it produces.
What are the newborn breastfeeding rules?

There are a few things that you can do to ease your newborn breastfeeding time and journey and also make it safe for the baby.
- Time: Timing is the key here. So make sure to track the baby’s feeding timing.
- Make sure you burp your newborn after each and every feed. Burping the baby makes sure there are no air bubbles in the baby’s tummy.
- Ensure to keep a count of your newborn’s pee and poop counts. If the pee count is around 6 times a day, then it is a sign that your baby is fed well.
- Pay attention while breastfeeding and see if you can see your baby’s sucking and hear swallowing sounds. This is a sign that your baby is latching well.
- Do not use a phone or watch TV while breastfeeding your baby, at least for the first few weeks. Make sure to pay full attention to them and bond with them.
Conclusion
We really hope this newborn breastfeeding time guide is helpful to you in some way. Breastfeeding a newborn can be a task in itself. So make sure to get as much rest as possible.
Seek help from your family to take care of the baby while you take a rest. As much as this newborn breastfeeding phase is difficult, it only lasts for a few weeks, and once you start solids for your baby, the breastfeeding time eventually reduces.
FAQ
1. Is a 10-minute feed long enough for a newborn?
Ideally, newborns need to be fed for at least 20 to 30 minutes during the initial few weeks. But with time, babies start to suck more milk in less time, which could be why they finish their feed in just 10 minutes.
2. Is it necessary to breastfeed a newborn every few hours?
Yes, you need to breastfeed a newborn every 1 to 3 hours.
3. How often do three-month-old babies feed?
You can feed your 3-month-old baby every 4 hours once, which comes around 8 times a day.
4. How many times in a day can you feed a 6-month-old baby?
For a 6-month-old baby, you need to feed them around 6 times a day, which comes with around 4 to 5 hours of gap between each feed.
5. Is it normal for a 4-month-old baby to feed 10 times a day?
Yes, it is absolutely normal for a 4-month-old to be fed 10 times a day.
Deepthi
Dr. Deepthi Jammi (Director, Jammi Scans) is a qualified OB/GYN and Post-Doc in Maternal Fetal Medicine. As a pregnancy ultrasound expert, she is passionate about healthy pregnancies and works towards spreading awareness on the latest diagnostic options available for parents to choose from. Dr.Deepthi has received gold medals and awards in Fetal Medicine at international and national conferences, and has appeared in numerous prestigious regional magazines and TV interviews.