Cee has made the most accurate statement: "watch the baby not the  clock."
We, as lactation professionals really need to get on the same page on this  
topic.  If we cannot agree and throw out all sorts of rules, than why  wouldn't 
the other health care providers also continue to give wrong or out  dated 
information?
I know there are some parents and providers who want numbers.  But  setting 
minimal and maximal time limits does not help nor seek to answer the  question 
of what is the baby doing?  
When a mother is complaining about the baby constantly nursing, we as  
lactation consultants need to see this as a red flag and dig deeper for more  
information and not on time limits.  
One side, two, three or four so what?  What are we observe?  How  well is the 
baby doing at breastfeeding and comfort being with mom?  
By setting limits, rules or even guidelines we set up anxieties of not  
meeting these numbers.  
We really need to put the emphasis on watching the baby and giving lots of  
reassurance by measurements including; baby satisfaction, good out  puts, 
gaining weight, breast comfortable, and everyone relaxing   I  know this is 
something that won't happen over night but we need to strive to  that end.
Ann Perry, RN IBCLC
Boston, MA

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