It hurts!!

[Visitor8]

In the early stages Ash would feed anywhere from 10 minutes to 45 minutes on one side, then burp and top up on the other side. The top up side was usually 5-15 minutes and he would fall asleep feeding. I would burp him again and put him down or in the sling or whatever. The next feed I gave the same boob that he has topped up on so this one got emptied properly and the top up was the other one. That way they are rotating
Now he is on and off in 10 minutes tops Once she gets more efficient at feeding you will find you wont feel like you are feeding constantly... until they go through a growth spurt and that is a whole OTHER fun time lol

Oh and also remember she is trying to built up your supply to her needs. It really is early days. Take it easy, offer the breast when she wants it, and rest while she's feeding.

[Shanti]

Hey Sara

You are doing a GREAT job - this breastfeeding stuff sure is challenging and something that takes time and patience (as I've found out!). You will get there, just keep persisting and if it doesn't feel right, then it probably isn't right. That's what I've learnt.
If it hurts, try to change her position, even if you have to take her off and attach again. All the girls have given great advice.
Keep that LC close by to you like I have done with mine. It's the BEST thing I could have done was hire an LC... money well spent! I was just about ready to give up BFing 2 weeks ago but with the help of the LC I have come along way with Ava.

As you know (from my BF thread) I've had so many problems with BFing, attachment issues, low supply due to Ava not sucking effectively, painful cracked sore nipples to the point I couldn't breastfeed anymore from it and took 5 days to heal it and only just today am I using it again

I have to hold my boobs too as they are so big, it does make it difficult but it will get easier.... soon you'll be a pro It's only now, for me, after 4 weeks that I'm only JUST getting the hang of it!!! And yes, I too felt like I wasn't able to enjoy BFing too because it was so painful every time she attached, I would cry and get so tense and stressed it was awful....

eta - with nipple shields it's best to only use them under the advice of an LC as they "can" effect your milk supply I believe. I don't use mine. Yet others use them and don't have problems.

As for how long they feed, try to follow your baby's lead. Watch her face as she feeds. If she looks like she's ready for a burp and starts to kinda pull off a little bit perhaps bring her off gently and give her a burp then offer the other side if she was on for long enough on the first side. Again, check with your LC she will tell you what's best for you and your situation... I agree it sure does feel like all we ever do is sit on the couch or lie on the bed and feed!!!
Lying down position can be good for sore nipples i found.

[Snacks]

SJ, you'll be wanting to feed her at least 8 times in 24 hours, and probably more. She may take a while to feed at this stage, but as Barb pointed out in another thread, they are also just enjoying being with you as well as feeding. So little Grace may take longer to feed even though she doesn't need to as such. If you feel she is finished drinking and is just having a suck (like if she's taking over an hour to feed) then you can take her off if it's bothering you. But its really normal I think for them to take ages at this stage. They do get heaps more efficient as you go along, and also heaps more wakeful. In a few months time you will be getting frustrated because she's so easily distracted from the breast!
IRT knowing when your breast is 'empty', personally I never knew. I just fed Natty from one breast until I thought she'd had enough. Like Mel said, if you think she needs a top-up you can offer the other breast. Thing is, your breasts are never truly 'empty' - you will keep making more as she's sucking.

[Arcadia]

Oh the whole "empty" thing got me in the beginning too. I kept obsessing about "emptying" the breast, but I always seemed to have milk. My little one would only ever feed from one breast and only ever for 10mins (she still does). In the first two weeks (actually first month) I was feeding anywhere from every hour to every 2.5 hours. I never figured it out...I just accepted she would want to suck all day and run with it. Even now DD pulls off and my breasts still have milk...

Don't forget they get a lot more than just milk from feeding, they get your undivided attention, warmth, security and lovely feeling of being with mummy!

Feeding is a relationship between you and bub, and every single one is different. I would say offer the breast whenever you want to and she seems keen. Breastfeeding isn't really established until about 3 weeks, so just look on it as special bonding time and practice.

A bit of a ramble, but I DO remember being where you are now...take care of yourself!

[DANNIIM]

Heaven she should be feeding 8-12 times in a 24hr period and some babies are better at feeding so it will depend on her whether how long she is feeding for. Maybe try and do some lying down Bfeeding when no one else is in the bed, can be a bit hard trying to push the other person off the bed in the middle of the night LOL!
Will get easier, i also found the lanolin creams weren't helpful if you are using disposible breast pads....the stuff wound stick to the pad and it was like glue trying to pull a breast pad off, i found the express breast milk just alone much better!