How Often to Feed Newborn Baby After Milk Comes in
Read our tips on when to breastfeed your baby and how much milk they need.
When should I feed my infant?
As a crude guide, babies need to feed at least eight to 12 times (sometimes more) over 24 hours during the first few weeks (NHS, 2019a; UNICEF, 2010). That means they'll probably need to feed every two to three hours.
Sentry our video for tips on how frequently and how long to breastfeed your infant for.
It's best to feed babies responsively or in a baby-led way rather than sticking to a feeding schedule (WHO, 2009; Entwistle, 2013; Fallon et al, 2016). Letting your baby feed when they desire will help them get the milk they need. It volition also stimulate your milk supply (Infant and Immature Child Feeding, 2009).
What if I'm struggling or worried about the number of feeds?
We know from the experiences of new mums that breastfeeding responsively can experience emotionally and physically challenging (Fallon et al, 2016).
A baby that breastfeeds often tin give parents a sense of reassurance but information technology can as well crusade worry. Some people may think frequent feeding is a sign of insufficient milk, or that baby isn't getting plenty breastmilk during feeds. This sometimes leads to women supplementing feeds with formula milk or deciding to stop breastfeeding (Leurer, 2015).
Try and go on in mind that a newborn baby's stomach is actually small. They need to feed piffling and oftentimes (NHS, 2020). It's actually common for babies to have a good feed and then appear to exist hungry again quite quickly. This doesn't hateful something is wrong or that they're not getting plenty milk. It's just the way newborn babies feed (Kent et al, 2012).
All of this also means that newborn feeding is frequent. In fact, much of the fourth dimension, it's not really a question of clearly-divers 'feeds' with clear ancestry and endings (WHO 1998).
Your baby knows your vocalisation, your smell and your taste simply they are much less familiar with the 'earth' exterior your womb. Staying close to yous gives them a vital sense of safety and reassurance. This builds their confidence that they are loved and cared for (Crenshaw, 2007).
If you're worried, it can actually help to talk through your concerns with a breastfeeding counsellor. So call our Infant Feeding Back up line on 0300 330 0700.
Will I produce plenty milk?
The more than you breastfeed your babe, the more milk you lot volition produce (Daly & Hartmann, 1995). If your baby is attached properly, and you're both comfortable and feeding them when they ask for it, you volition make plenty milk for them (Kent et al, 2012; WHO 2019).
How do I know when to feed my baby?
When your baby is hungry they may give you little signals, known as early on feeding cues (NHS, 2019a,b). They might:
• get restless
• suck their fist or fingers
• make murmuring sounds
• turn their head and open up their mouth (rooting).
(NHS, 2019a)
Looking out for and responding to these cues is of import. It can help forbid your baby from becoming upset and frustrated, which will get in more than difficult to feed them (WHO, 2009). Here's what you lot might see...
How long should each feed terminal?
Every baby is different and they will go through different patterns of feeding as they grow (Kent et al, 2012). How much milk a baby needs per breastfeeding session will vary. It's best to be guided by your child (Kent et al, 2012).
Some feeds volition seem to last a long time, with your infant dozing for brusque periods before wanting more. And more. And nevertheless more! It'southward normal for a young baby to be on the chest many times a day and night. 12-15 'visits' to the breast is well inside a normal range (Entwistle, 2013).
As a full general rule, babies who are feeding well will feed for betwixt five and xl minutes at each feed (UNICEF, 2010). Your baby will permit you know when they've had enough milk. They will ordinarily come off the breast themselves, look sleepy or at-home, and look around (UNICEF, 2010).
During each breastfeed, your milk changes slightly. Then the milk at the cease of the feed is more creamy and filling than the milk at the kickoff of the feed (Ballard and Morrow, 2013). Offer one breast and let your baby feed until they end drinking. If they still appear hungry, offer the 2d chest – allowing them to drink equally much as they want (Prissy, 2015).
Should I wake my baby up to feed?
In about cases, healthy, thriving newborns will wake up for feeds and, provided they are well latched on, get all the milk they need (Australian Breastfeeding Clan, 2017). Only in that location might be reasons why a newborn might be more sleepy and therefore need to exist woken upward for feeds.
This includes medical reasons, such every bit jaundice, infection or a center problem, or perhaps because the pain relief used during birth is still affecting them (Australian Breastfeeding Association, 2017). If y'all're worried your baby might be sleeping as well much and this is affecting their feeding, talk to your wellness visitor or telephone call our Baby Feeding Support line on 0300 330 0700.
This page was terminal reviewed in March 2021
Further data
We support all parents, however they feed their kid. If you have questions, concerns or demand back up, yous 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 grooming, will listen without judging or criticising and volition offer relevant information and suggestions. You can too find more useful articles here.
National Breastfeeding Line (authorities funded): 0300 100 0212.
References
Australian Breastfeeding Clan. (2017) Practice I demand to wake my baby for feeds? Bachelor at: https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/do-i-need-wake-my-baby-feeds [Accessed xx March 2021].
Ballard O, Morrow AL. (2013) Human milk composition: nutrients and bioactive factors. Pediatric Clinics of Due north America. sixty(1):49-74. Bachelor at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/manufactures/PMC3586783/ [Accessed 20 March 2021].
Crenshaw J. Care practice #6: No separation of mother and infant, with unlimited opportunities for breastfeeding. Journal of Perinatal Education2007;sixteen(3):39-43. Available at: doi: 10.1624/105812407X217147 (Accessed 26 Apr 21)
Daly SEJ, Hartmann PE (1995). Infant Need and Milk Supply. Part i: Infant Demand and Milk Production in Lactating Women. Journal of Human being Lactation. 11(one):21-26. doi:10.1177/089033449501100119 Available at https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/ten.1177/089033449501100119 [Accessed 13 April 2021]
Entwistle FM. (2013) The evidence and rationale for the UNICEF UK Babe Friendly Initiative standards. UNICEF United kingdom. Available at: https://www.unicef.org.u.k./babyfriendly/about/show-and-rationale-for-the-baby-friendly-standards/ [Accessed 20 March 2021].
Fallon A, Van der Putten D, Dring C, Moylett EH, Fealy G, Devane D. (2016) Baby-led compared with scheduled (or mixed) breastfeeding for successful breastfeeding. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. (9):CD009067. Available at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD009067.pub3/full [Accessed 20 March 2021].
Kent JC, Prime DK, Garbin CP. (2012) Principles for maintaining or increasing chest milk production. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing. 41(1):114-121. Available at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1552-6909.2011.01313.ten [Accessed 20 March 2021].
Leurer Md, Misskey E. (2015) "Be positive as well as realistic": a qualitative description analysis of information gaps experienced by breastfeeding mothers. International Breastfeeding Journal. 10(10):2-11. Available at: https://internationalbreastfeedingjournal.biomedcentral.com/manufactures/10.1186/s13006-015-0036-7 [Accessed 20th March 2021].
NHS. (2019a) Breastfeeding: the kickoff few days. Available at: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/Pages/breastfeeding-showtime-days.aspx#building [Accessed xx March 2021].
NHS. (2019b) Breastfeeding: is my baby getting enough milk? Bachelor at: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/Pages/breastfeeding-is-babe-getting-enough-milk.aspx [Accessed 20 March 2021].
NHS. (2020) Your breastfeeding questions answered. Available at: http://www.nhs.united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland/Atmospheric condition/pregnancy-and-baby/Pages/your-breastfeeding-questions.aspx [Accessed xx March 2021].
NICE (2015) Postnatal intendance up to 8 weeks after birth. CG37. Available at: https://www.nice.org.britain/guidance/cg37 [Accessed xx March 2021].
UNICEF. (2010) Baby Friendly Initiative. Breastfeeding checklist for mothers - How can I tell that breastfeeding is going well? Bachelor at: https://world wide web.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/10/mothers_breastfeeding_checklist.pdf [Accessed 20 March 2021].
Globe Health Organization. (1998) Show for the X Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. Geneva: World Health System.
World Health Organization. (2009) Session ii The physiological basis of breastfeeding. In: Babe and Immature Kid Feeding. Model Chapter for Textbooks for Medical Students and Centrolineal Wellness Professionals. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK148970/ [Accessed 20th March 2021].
Farther reading
Hoddinott P, Craig, LCA, Britten J, McInnes RJ. (2012) A serial qualitative interview written report of babe feeding experiences: idealism meets realism. BMJ Open up ii:i-14. Bachelor at: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/ii/2/e000504 [Accessed 20 March 2021].
Martin CR, Ling PR, Blackburn GL. (2016) Review of infant feeding: central features of breast milk and baby formula. Nutrients, 8(5):279. Available at: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/8/five/279 [Accessed 20th March 2021].
Source: https://www.nct.org.uk/baby-toddler/feeding/early-days/how-often-should-i-breastfeed-my-baby
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