Should I let my newborn nurse as long as she wants?

The Importance of Responsive Nursing for Newborns
When it comes to feeding newborns, one of the most frequently asked questions among new parents is: Should I let my newborn nurse as long as she wants? The answer is generally a resounding yes, as allowing a newborn to nurse on demand aligns with both the child’s nutritional needs and the natural instincts of breastfeeding.
Understanding Newborn Feeding Needs
Newborns have tiny stomachs that require frequent feedings. In the initial weeks of life, they typically need to nurse 8 to 12 times a day, and each session can last anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes. This frequency is essential not only for their nourishment but also for establishing a strong milk supply for breastfeeding mothers.
Nursing on demand means responding to your baby’s cues for hunger rather than adhering to a strict feeding schedule. Babies will often show signs of hunger by rooting, sucking on their hands, or becoming more alert. Responding to these cues helps ensure that the baby receives adequate nutrition and helps in building a healthy breastfeeding relationship.
Benefits of Extended Nursing Sessions
Allowing your newborn to nurse as long as she wants has several benefits:
1. Nutritional Adequacy: Newborns will naturally regulate their intake based on their hunger and growth needs. Extended nursing sessions can ensure that they receive both foremilk (which is higher in lactose) and hindmilk (which is richer in fat).
2. Comfort and Bonding: Breastfeeding is not solely about nutrition; it is also a vital source of comfort for a newborn. The physical closeness fosters bonding between the mother and child, promoting emotional security.
3. Establishing Milk Supply: For nursing mothers, prolonged nursing can help increase and maintain milk supply. The more frequently a baby nurses, the more milk the body is stimulated to produce.
4. Reducing Risk of Overfeeding: Newborns are instinctively good at regulating their intake. Allowing them to nurse at will helps mitigate the risk of overfeeding that can occur with scheduled feedings.
What to Consider
While responsive nursing is typically encouraged, there are a few considerations for parents:
– Monitor Weight Gain: It’s essential to keep track of your baby’s weight and growth patterns. Regular pediatric appointments will help ensure that your newborn is gaining weight appropriately.
– Seek Support: Breastfeeding can be challenging, and it’s perfectly okay to seek help from lactation consultants or breastfeeding support groups if you encounter difficulties.
– Watch for Signs of Overstimulation: Newborns can sometimes become overstimulated during long nursing sessions. If your baby seems fussy or unresponsive, it may be time to take a break.
Conclusion
In summary, allowing your newborn to nurse as long as she wants is generally beneficial for her growth, development, and emotional well-being. This approach not only supports the baby’s nutritional needs but also strengthens the mother-child bond through comfort and closeness. As with all parenting decisions, it’s important to stay attuned to your baby’s unique needs and seek guidance when necessary.

When do most moms stop breastfeeding?

But although 96% of children are breastfed soon after birth, only 15% of mums are still breastfeeding exclusively 5 months later. So, what’s preventing some parents from continuing to breastfeed, and how can they persist with longer-term breastfeeding, if that’s their wish?

What do I do if my newborn wants to nurse all the time?

And here’s the good news: You can slowly start stretching out the period of time between feedings. Nearly nonstop nursing is perfectly on target for a newborn in the first few weeks, when kinks in the milk supply system are still being smoothed out and the two of you are getting used to the basics of breastfeeding.

Can you breastfeed as long as you want?

There’s no reason why you should not continue breastfeeding your child into their 2nd year and beyond. You and your toddler can continue to enjoy the benefits of breastfeeding for as long as you want to.

Should I offer a second breast if baby is asleep?

Once your baby is a few weeks old, if they’re gaining weight as expected, and they fall asleep after the first breast in the middle of the night, in most cases, it will be fine to wait until the next feed to offer the second breast.

How long should you let a newborn nurse?

Newborns may nurse for up to 20 minutes or longer on one or both breasts. As babies get older and more skilled at breastfeeding, they may take about 5–10 minutes on each side.

Should you let newborn feed as long as they want?

Feed your baby as often as they want and for as long as they want. They’ll begin to have fewer, but longer feeds after a few days. As a very rough guide, your baby should feed at least 8 to 12 times, or more, every 24 hours during the first few weeks.

What is the 3 month breastfeeding crisis?

These increases occur around the same time for all babies, hence the term “3-months breastfeeding crisis”. This crisis is the most well-known because it is the most challenging for mothers. One reason is that this crisis, unlike others you may experience before, can last up to a month.

Should I limit how long my baby breastfeeds?

You and your baby can carry on enjoying the benefits of breastfeeding for as long as you like. Breastfeeding into your baby’s 2nd year or beyond, alongside other foods, is ideal. Lots of mothers carry on breastfeeding when they go back to work or college.

Is it normal for a newborn to nurse for a long time?

First of all, do know that frequent nursing is normal and expected in the early months – most newborns need to nurse at least 8 – 12 times per day. Frequent nursing is also needed — to avoid/reduce engorgement in the early days, to nourish and grow a baby who has a stomach the size of his fist but who needs to double.

Should I let my newborn eat as much as she wants?

Newborns and young babies should be fed whenever they seem hungry. This is called on-demand feeding. After the first few days of life, most healthy formula-fed newborns feed about every 2–3 hours. As they get bigger and their tummies can hold more milk, they usually eat about every 3–4 hours.