How Long to Breastfeed Your Baby at Every Age

Your complete guide to creating a nursing routine.

How long you should breastfeed or chest feed your baby depends on several factors, including your baby's age and your breast milk supply. An average feeding might last 10 to 20 minutes, but a baby can breastfeed anywhere from 5 to 45 minutes at each session. Of course, the timing truly depends on the age of the baby; newborns can cluster feed for 25-45 minutes, which is normal and expected.

We've put together a guide to help you get an idea of how many minutes newborns and older babies spend breastfeeding, what changes breastfeeding times, and when to reach out to a health care provider.

parent nursing baby, text reads 'determining breastfeeding time and duration'

Photo Illustration by Julie Bang / Getty Images

Factors That Affect Breastfeeding Time

Some breastfed babies can take a full feeding in 8 minutes. Others need 30 minutes or more to get the same amount of breast milk. Factors that influence a baby's feeding time include:

  • Age: An older baby can typically get enough breast milk in a shorter period.
  • Alertness: A sleepy baby may not breastfeed as well or as fast as a baby who is awake and alert.
  • Flow: If your breast milk flows quickly and you have an active let-down reflex, there is more milk available for your baby right away. However, if your flow is slow and your let-down is difficult or delayed, it can take longer for your baby to get enough milk.
  • Health: A premature baby or a baby born with a health issue may tire out easily while breastfeeding; frequent breaks can prolong feeding time.
  • Latch: A good latch helps a baby more effectively remove breast milk and therefore get a full feeding in less time.
  • Milk supply: If you have a low breast milk supply or your baby is going through a growth spurt, your baby may spend more time breastfeeding to try to get more breast milk.

How Long Should I Breastfeed My Baby Each Time?

Age may have the greatest effect on how long it takes to breastfeed. Newborns need time to practice and learn, while older infants become pros who can empty a breast in no time. Read on for a general age-by-age guide.

Newborns

A newborn should be put to the breast at least every 2 to 3 hours and nurse for 10 to 15 minutes on each side. But rather than worry about duration, it's important to know that the best way to ensure that the baby is getting enough breast milk is by feeding frequency, wet and dirty diapers, and weight gain.

Signs Your Newborn Is Nursing Enough

Here's how to tell if your newborn baby is getting enough milk at each feeding:

  • Your baby has at least six wet diapers a day after the fifth day of life.
  • Your baby is gaining weight well.
  • Your breasts feel softer and less full after each feeding.
  • Your child appears satisfied after each feeding and sleeps well between feedings.

3 to 4 Months

During the first few months, feeding times gradually get shorter and the time between feedings gets a little longer. By the time a baby is 3 to 4 months old, they should be breastfeeding well, gaining weight, and growing. It may only take your baby about 5 to 10 minutes to empty each breast and get all the milk they need; however, this is different for everyone.

6 to 9 Months

By about 6 months, your baby may have started eating solid foods. They also may be starting to crawl and move around more freely. Older infants may only take quick feedings at the breast, then head off to play. But they may spend more time breastfeeding in the evenings and at night.

Toddlers

While breastfeeding continues to be beneficial for 1- and 2-year-olds, it should not be the central part of their diet. Toddlers should be eating and drinking a variety of foods.

Your toddler may only breastfeed occasionally and quickly. However, they may spend more time at the breast if they are looking for security or comfort, such as during an illness or after an injury.

How to Adjust Your Breastfeeding Routine As Your Child Grows

At all ages, it's a good idea to follow your baby's lead when it comes to breastfeeding time; try not to worry about the clock. When latched on properly and actively sucking, your baby should be allowed to nurse for as long as they want.

Once the baby stops sucking or falls asleep, you can break the suction of the latch, remove the baby from your breast, burp them or change their diaper, and offer them the other breast. However, if the baby is fast asleep, they may not be awake enough to continue the feeding.

In some circumstances, you may experience variations in how long it takes your baby to breastfeed. You may need to adjust your routine to accommodate the changes to your baby's needs.

What to Know About Growth Spurts

Babies need more breast milk during and after a growth spurt. During times of rapid growth, a child may breastfeed more often and spend more time than usual at each feeding.


The increase in breastfeeding time is to try to get more nutrition and energy to support their growing bodies. It also sends a signal to your body to make more breast milk.


Growth spurts can happen at any age, but they are common around 2 to 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months of age. Growth spurts only last a few days, and then the baby usually settles back into a more normal breastfeeding routine.

What About Bottle Feedings?

Babies suck differently on the bottle compared to at the breast. Some babies have a difficult time with the bottle and feedings can take a longer time. But because the flow of infant formula or breast milk from a bottle nipple is steady, a bottle-fed baby with a regular, consistent suck can generally finish a bottle in about 10 minutes.

Breastfed babies adjust their suck speed to the flow of breast milk. They suck approximately once per second or slower when the milk is flowing quickly, and speed up the sucking when the milk flow slows down. So the time it takes to breastfeed depends on the amount and flow of breast milk and the baby's suck.

When to Contact a Health Care Provider

All babies are different, and therefore, all breastfeeding routines will be slightly different as well. However, be sure to reach out to a pediatrician or health care provider if your baby:

  • Has very long or very short feedings
  • Has less than six wet diapers daily (after they are 5 days old)
  • Is irritable, crying, and does not seem satisfied after most feedings
  • Is not breastfeeding well
  • Is too sleepy for most feedings

Additionally, reach out to a provider any time you have questions or concerns about your baby's feeding habits or weight gain. At the end of the day, you know your baby—and your body—best.

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Sources
Parents uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. FAQ: Breastfeeding your baby. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 

  2. How Much and How Often to Breastfeed. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

  3. Your guide to breastfeeding. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. 

  4. Establishing a Breastfeeding Routine. American Academy of Pediatrics.

  5. Cluster Feeding and Growth Spurts. WIC Breastfeeding Support.

  6. Bottle Feeding Basics. American Academy of Pediatrics.

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