How long is the breastfeeding period for a child?

The question of how long to breastfeed a baby has always been a topic of debate. In fact, there is no standard answer to this question. We need to take the actual situation into consideration. For example, some babies are born with weak constitutions, so it is best to prolong the breastfeeding period. As we all know, breastfeeding has many benefits. If the baby is in better health, the breastfeeding period can be shortened appropriately. In short, we need to consider the actual situation.

How long is the breastfeeding period for a child?

Breast milk is the best food for babies, but many new mothers don’t know how long to breastfeed? Some mothers will breastfeed their babies as long as they cry. In fact, babies grow very fast and their sucking ability will also improve. Breastfeeding has a time limit. So, how long should babies be fed?

How long should babies be fed?

Babies can start breastfeeding half an hour after birth. The first hour after a baby is born is a sensitive period, and the sucking reflex is strongest 20 to 30 minutes after birth. If you don't get the sucking experience at this time, it will affect your sucking ability in the future. It is not advisable to set the time and frequency in the first two weeks after the baby is born. It should be adjusted according to the actual situation. Because the baby's stomach is small, the amount of milk inhaled each time is not much. Breastfeeding on demand can make the baby full and grow faster.

At the same time, frequent sucking can stimulate the mother's prolactin secretion, making milk secretion more abundant. It can also help eliminate the mother's breast engorgement and prevent mastitis. But breastfeeding on demand does not mean feeding the baby as soon as he cries. There are many reasons why babies cry. They cry when they wet themselves, when they want to be held, and when they are frightened. Mothers should observe carefully and make accurate judgments, and not feed their babies as soon as they cry. It is not good to breastfeed too frequently. On the one hand, it will affect the mother's rest. On the other hand, it will prevent the milk from being fully secreted in time, causing the baby to not be full every time. In this way, the baby will want to eat again before long, and a vicious cycle will be formed over time. On the first day, each feeding lasts 15-20 minutes; on the second and third days, each feeding lasts 4 minutes; thereafter, it takes 8-10 minutes; after the second week, it should be 4-5 times during the day and 2 times at night.

The normal feeding time for babies is 10 minutes on each breast, and 20 minutes on both sides is sufficient. If we look at the feeding time of 10 minutes on one side, the baby can get 50% of the total milk in the first 2 minutes, 80% to 90% of the total milk in the first 4 minutes, and almost no milk in the next 5 minutes. It can be seen from this that the longer the breastfeeding time, the more milk the baby consumes. Although 4 minutes of breastfeeding on one side is enough, the last 5 minutes are also necessary. It can stimulate the release of prolactin to increase the next milk secretion, and it can also strengthen the emotional connection between mother and baby.