Just a reminder to those who want to post the length of time it takes for
breastmilk to digest and that's the reason breastfed babies need to nurse
more often:  be aware that in the Preparation for Parenting course, the
parents are taught that it is NOT an empty stomach that triggers the hunger
drive.  I quote:

"Does an empty stomach trigger the hunger drive?  No.  The purpose of
digestion is to break down the various food groups into proteins, fats, and
carbohydrates.  The end product of digestion is absorption, which takes place
primarily in the samll intestine.  It is the process by which the broken-down
food molecules pass through the intestinal lining into the bloodstream.  As
absorption is accomplished, the blood-sugar level drops.  That drop, in turn,
sends a signal to the hypothalmus gland calling for more food.  A drop in
blood sugar, not an empty stomach, is the signal for more food.

Breast milk is digested faster than formula, but that fact does not justify
unlimited feedings.  jThe comparison should not be made between using breast
milk and formula, but instead by the amount of breast milk consumed at each
feeding.  Demand-fed babies tend to snack all day.  Parent Controlled Feeding
 (PCF) babies have a complete meal at each feeding.

The child who nurses frequently and takes in fewer ounces of milk will
naturually be hungry more often.  In contrast, the child on PCF takes in more
ounces, thereby causing the digestive and absorption processes to take
longer."  (Preparation for Parenting, p. 92-93)

"For the first two month you will not feed sooner than 2 1/2 hours from the
end of the last feeding to the start of the next, and no less often than
every 3 to 3 1/2 hours.  Sooner than 2 1/2 hours can wear Mom down, often
causing a decrease in milk production.....Feeding 2 1/2 hours from the end of
the last feeding equates to a 3 hour routine once you add the 20-30 minutes
required for the next feeding."  (p. 91)

By the way, the test to see if the mother produces enough milk:  "If you
suspect this is the case, try:  (1) using a breat pump to see if anything
comes out, and (2) discovering if your baby will take any formula after he or
she has been at your breast for the proper amount of time."  (p. 98)

Have a nice day.

Jan B.