If a mother interrupts a feeding, she may be unintentionally reducing the child's fat intake. An infant signals mealtime by crying, fussing, or nuzzling the breast. These signals are more reliable than a clock, Hopkinson said. Mothers need to be sensitive to subtle signals during sleep such as lip smacking. Some babies may nurse four minutes per side six times a day while others may nurse 20 minutes per side 12 times a day.
Most babies signal they are finished by drifting off to sleep or by letting go.
Regular visits to a pediatrician can also assure a mother that her infant is well fed, gaining weight and growing. If a nursing mother has questions, she should contact her pediatrician or a lactation consultant. Copyright 1999 Baylor College of Medicine. All Rights Reserved.