For Families

How often should I breastfeed?

Signs of hunger: making sucking movements, sucking sounds, putting their hands to their mouths and becoming restless

Crying is often a late sign of hunger.

Breast compression can be applied to the breast while the baby is breastfeeding to increase and maintain milk flow and to keep baby swallowing, this is especially helpful to keep a sleepy baby drinking.
For more information: Dr. Jack Newman and Edith Kernerman

More Feedings = More Milk Produced

Colostrum is the milk made in the early days. It is almost always the only food or drink your baby needs

-The first feeding should be as soon as possible after delivery

-It is important that your baby feeds every 1-3 hours in the first few days -Newborns are often sleepy and may need to be awakened and encouraged to feed

-If your baby is unable to feed, pumping within the first 6 hours is recommended

-If your newborn baby is not waking on it's own, you may need to wake baby to ensure 8 or more feedings in 24 hours

-Some babies will feed 4-5 times in 4-5 hours. This is normal and is called “cluster feeding”.  After a cluster feeding your baby may sleep for a longer period of time 

-It is not the length of time at the breast that is important, but how much breastmilk your baby is drinking

-It is important that your baby feed on the first breast until finished drinking

-Always offer both breasts at each feed, even if baby seems satisfied after feeding on one breast