I agree with what both Barbara Wilson-Clay and Kathleen Auerbach have
said about the rules.  But I would also suggest that these rules (7,
8, 10%) (feed every x hours for y minutes) (you must feed on both
sides, you must feed on only one side) are wrong whether you are a
novice or an old burned out piece of toast like me.  These rules are
beside the point.  The point is that a baby who feeds well, will gain
weight whether he is on the breast 4 or 12 times.  The point is that a
baby who feeds at the breast well for 15 minutes is better off than a
baby who nibbles for 15 hours.

I recently saw a mother whose baby gained over 7 lb in 2 months
because she was concerned that he only nursed 4 or 5 times a day, and
only for a few minutes (no more than five).  I witnessed such a
feeding and have to take her word for it.  This mother was driven to
distraction because she couldn't get the baby to feed more often, and
she was told he *had* to feed at least 8 times a day in the first few
months.

Incidentally, somewhat off topic, Kathleen's post about the
bureaucracy reminded me of an article in Time several years ago.  The
article was about the bureaucracy, and quoted a worker for the city of
New York.  Her policy, she said, was always to say "no" to any first
request.  Because if you say "no" you can always change your mind and
later say "yes".  But if you say "yes" you can't change your mind and
say "no" later.

Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC