Read our tips on when to breastfeed your baby and how much milk they need.
As a rough guide, your baby will feed at least eight to 12 times (sometimes more) over 24 hours during the first few weeks. That means they’ll probably need to feed every two to three hours.
Breastfed babies tend to feed more frequently than bottle-fed babies, or those combining breast and bottle. This is because formula milk takes longer to digest.
It’s best to feed your baby on demand rather than sticking to a feeding schedule. This is also known as responsive or baby-led feeding.
Letting your baby feed when they want will help them get the milk they need. It will also stimulate your milk supply.
We know from the experiences of new mums that breastfeeding responsively can be emotionally and physically challenging for different reasons.
It’s common for babies to have a good feed and then be hungry again quite quickly…it doesn’t mean something is wrong
A baby that breastfeeds frequently can give parents a sense of reassurance but it can also cause worry. Sometimes, a baby feeding frequently can be seen as a sign that mum has insufficient milk or that baby isn’t getting enough breastmilk during feeds. This sometimes leads to women supplementing feeds with formula milk or deciding to stop breastfeeding.
Try and keep in mind that a newborn’s stomach is really small. They need to feed little and often. It’s really common for babies to have a good feed and then be hungry again quite quickly. This doesn’t mean something is wrong or that they’re not getting enough milk. It’s just the way newborn babies feed.
If you’re worried, it can really help to talk through your concerns with a breastfeeding counsellor. So call our Infant Feeding Support line on 0300 330 0700.
The more you breastfeed your baby, the more milk you will produce. If your baby is attached properly, and you’re both comfortable and feeding them when they ask for it, you will make enough milk for them.
When your baby is hungry they may give you little signals, known as early feeding cues. They might:
• get restless
• suck their fist or fingers
• make murmuring sounds
• turn their head and open their mouth (rooting).
Looking out for and responding to these cues is important. It can help prevent your baby from becoming upset and frustrated, which will make it more difficult to feed them.
Every baby is different and they will go through different patterns of feeding as they grow. How much milk a baby needs per breastfeeding session will vary. It’s best to be guided by your child.
As a general rule, babies who are feeding well will feed for between five and 40 minutes at each feed. Your baby will let you know when they’ve had enough milk. They will usually come off the breast themselves, look sleepy or calm, and look around.
During each breastfeed, your milk changes slightly. So the milk at the end of the feed (when the breast is emptier) is more creamy and filling than the milk at the beginning of the feed. Offer one breast and let your baby feed until they have emptied that breast fully.
If they still appear hungry, offer the second breast – they may drink all or some of it. Start with this breast first next time.
In most cases, healthy, thriving newborns will wake up for feeds and get all the milk they need. But there might be reasons why a newborn might be more sleepy and therefore need to be woken up for feeds.
This includes medical reasons, such as jaundice, infection or a heart problem, or perhaps because the pain relief used during birth is still affecting them. If you’re worried your baby might be sleeping too much and this is affecting their feeding, talk to your health visitor or call our Infant Feeding Support line on 0300 330 0700.
We support all parents, however they feed their child. If you have questions, concerns or need support, you can speak to a breastfeeding counsellor by calling our helpline on 0300 330 0700, whether you are exclusively breastfeeding or using formula milk. Breastfeeding counsellors have had extensive training, will listen without judging or criticising and will offer relevant information and suggestions. You can also find more useful articles here.
