Do you time breastfeeding from the start or the finish?

From the start of one feed to the start of the next. So a baby who starts feeding at 1:00 and again at 3:00 is feeding every 2 hours.

How long should a newborn breastfeed on each side?

It varies. Let your baby finish the first side before offering the second. Many feeds last 10-40 minutes in total.

Which side should I start with?

Usually the side you finished on last time, or the one that feels fuller. The timer shows it for you.

How many times a day should a newborn breastfeed?

About 8 to 12 times in 24 hours, according to the CDC; the AAP says 10 to 12 times is common in the first weeks.

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Breastfeeding Timer: Left/Right Side Tracker / Tot

Medically reviewed by Safi Ullah Khan · Written by Muneeb Rana · Last updated 21 October 2026

Quick answer: A breastfeeding timer times each side of a feed, remembers which breast to offer first next time, and counts feeds in the last 24 hours. Time feeds from the start of one feed to the start of the next. Newborns usually feed 8-12 times a day (CDC), and length varies widely.

TL;DR

Tap Left or Right to start; switch sides with one tap; pause for burps.
Feed intervals are measured start to start.
Count feeds and diapers, not minutes, to judge if your baby gets enough.

This online breastfeeding timer is a simple left/right nursing timer that runs in your browser tab. It shows the time on each side, total feed time, the time since the last feed started, and which side to begin with next. It's handy for the first weeks, when feeds blur together at 3 am.

How to use the breastfeeding timer

Tap Left or Right when your baby latches.
Tap the other side to switch; tap Pause for burping or a diaper change.
Tap Finish. The feed is added to today's list (in this browser only).
The top line shows next side and time since last feed started.
To keep a permanent log shared with your partner, use Tot.

How the breastfeeding timer works

side_time[L|R] += running seconds; total = L + R
interval = this_feed.start - previous_feed.start      # start-to-start
next_side = side that was offered last (or the side with less time)
feeds_24h = count(feeds with start in last 24 h)

Baby's age	Typical feeds per 24 h	Typical gap (start to start)
First days	8-12+	1-3 hours
First weeks	8-12	2-3 hours (AAP: often every 2 h)
1-3 months	7-9	2-4 hours
3-6 months	6-8	3-4 hours

Worked example

Fatima starts on the left at 2:10 am, switches to the right at 2:24, pauses to burp, and finishes at 2:41. The timer shows L 14 min, R 13 min, total 31 min, next side right, and 9 feeds in the last 24 hours.

How long should a breastfeed last?

There's no right number. Some babies feed efficiently in 10 minutes; others take 40. Signs of a good feed matter more: rhythmic sucks and swallows, softer breasts afterwards, and a content baby. The NHS lists these signs. Read how to track breastfeeding.

Cluster feeding is normal

Many babies feed very frequently in the evening or during growth spurts. The CDC calls this cluster feeding. See cluster feeding.

When to get help

Contact your midwife, pediatrician or a lactation consultant if feeding is painful, your baby has fewer wet diapers than expected (check the diaper count calculator), is very sleepy and hard to wake for feeds, or isn't regaining birth weight by about 2 weeks.

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Sources

CDC: How Much and How Often to Breastfeed: www.cdc.gov (accessed 21 October 2026)
AAP HealthyChildren.org: How Often and How Much Should Your Baby Eat?: www.healthychildren.org (accessed 21 October 2026)
NHS: Breastfeeding, is my baby getting enough milk?: www.nhs.uk (accessed 21 October 2026)
La Leche League International: Newborn Breastfeeding Frequency (FAQs): llli.org (accessed 21 October 2026)

Medical disclaimer:

Tot and this website give general information only. Feeding, sleep and growth ranges vary; always follow your pediatrician's advice. If your baby is unwell, contact your doctor or emergency services.

Online Breastfeeding Timer