How Often
Let your baby decide how often to breastfeed and how much to nurse. Every baby is different. Do not expect to follow a strict time table. Feed your baby whenever he or she is hungry. Learn to know your own baby’s hunger cues. Signs of hunger may include sucking, smacking lips, searching with an open mouth, putting a fist into the mouth, or crying. Some feedings may be close together while others may be farther apart. A newborn will feed anywhere from 8 to 14 times in 24 hours. Frequent nursing will help establish your milk supply.
Your baby will have periods of rapid growth around two weeks, six weeks, 3 months of age and later. During these “growth spurts” your baby may want to feed more often, sometimes every hour! This does not mean your milk volume has decreased or that your milk is of poor quality. The more your baby nurses, the more you will produce. Your breast milk will increase to meet your baby’s needs.