Breastfeeding A Newborn: How Often Should You Feed?

Breastfeeding is a natural process, but it can be challenging for new mothers. The first few days are a learning period for both mother and baby, and it may take time for both to get the hang of it. In the first few weeks of life, breastfeeding should be on-demand or baby-led, which means that the baby should be fed whenever they are hungry, which could be as often as every 1-3 hours. Newborns should not go more than about 4 hours without feeding, even overnight.

Breast milk is easily digestible, so newborns are hungry often. Frequent feedings also help stimulate milk production during the first few weeks. Newborn babies should breastfeed 8–12 times per day for about the first month.

Newborns should breastfeed 8-12 times a day for the first month

Newborns should breastfeed 8–12 times a day for the first month. This is a crucial period for establishing milk supply, especially for first-time mothers.

On the first day of life, newborns may breastfeed at least eight times, every two to three hours. Skin-to-skin contact in the first hour after birth helps to stabilise the baby's breathing, body temperature, and blood sugar levels, as well as encouraging early breastfeeding. In the first week, a newborn may want to feed very often, perhaps every hour or two.

Breast milk is easily digested, so newborns are hungry often. Frequent feedings help stimulate milk production during the first few weeks. Newborns should not go more than about four hours without feeding, even overnight. Responsive feeding, or feeding on demand, is recommended, and it is not possible to overfeed a breastfed baby.

By the second day, a newborn should be waking and showing readiness to feed. The baby will feed eight to 12 times per day, and these feedings will stimulate the production of more milk. Responsive feeding is important to establish a good milk supply and ensure the baby gains weight.

By the end of the first month, a baby will be taking in an average of 25 to 35 ounces of milk per day, though this amount can vary.

Breastfeeding should be on demand when the baby is hungry, roughly every 1-3 hours

Breastfeeding a newborn can be a challenging but rewarding experience for mothers. It is completely normal to feel a range of emotions, from joy and elation to stress and anxiety, especially during the first few weeks, which are crucial for establishing a good milk supply.

In the first few weeks of life, breastfeeding should be "on demand", meaning that it is dictated by the baby's hunger cues and their need for comfort and closeness with the mother. This usually works out to be about every 1-3 hours, although some newborns may feed every 90 minutes, while others may go 2-3 hours between feedings. It is important to watch the baby's hunger cues and feed them when they show early signs such as eye movement beneath closed eyelids, mouth movements, restlessness, or hands coming to the mouth. Crying is a late sign of hunger and it can become difficult to calm the baby down enough to latch on.

Responsive feeding, or feeding on demand, ensures that the baby's nutritional and emotional needs are met and helps to stimulate the mother's milk production. The more the baby feeds, the more milk the mother's body will produce. Frequent feedings of colostrum, or "first milk", in the first few days are essential for giving the baby's digestive system a good start and providing important antibodies that protect the baby from disease.

Breastfeeding should be initiated within the first hour after birth, if possible, and skin-to-skin contact between the mother and baby during this time can help to stabilise the baby's breathing, body temperature and blood sugar levels, as well as encourage early breastfeeding. In the first week, a newborn may want to feed very often, sometimes as much as every hour. As the baby gets older, they will feed less often and for longer periods, and may go longer between feedings.

It is important to remember that breastfeeding is a learning process for both the mother and the baby, and it may take time for both to get the hang of it. Don't be afraid to ask for help or advice from healthcare professionals or support groups if needed.

Newborns should not go more than 4 hours without feeding, even overnight

Newborns have small stomachs and breast milk is easily digested, so newborns are hungry often and should be fed frequently. In the first few weeks of life, breastfeeding should be on demand (whenever the baby is hungry), which is about every 1-1/2 to 3 hours. As a rough guide, this means that babies need to feed at least eight to twelve times (sometimes more) over 24 hours during the first few weeks. This equates to feeding every two to three hours.

Newborns should not go more than about four hours without feeding, even overnight. This is because frequent feedings help stimulate milk production during the first few weeks. The more a baby breastfeeds, the more milk the mother will produce. This is known as responsive feeding or baby-led feeding, which stimulates milk production, helps the baby regain weight lost after birth, and protects the baby against jaundice.

Responsive feeding also ensures the baby gets the milk they need and prevents them from becoming upset and frustrated, which will make it more difficult to feed them. It is important to let the baby feed more often during growth spurts, which commonly occur between two to three weeks, four to six weeks, and again at about three months.

In the first few days, a newborn may want to feed very often, perhaps every hour to begin with. They will begin to have fewer but longer feeds once the mother's breasts start to produce more "mature" milk after a few days.

Frequent feedings stimulate milk production

Breast milk is produced in response to a complex interplay of hormones, nerves, and the removal of milk from the breast. The more milk that is removed, the more milk the body makes to replace it. This is why frequent feeding or pumping will cause your body to make more milk.

The role of prolactin

The hormone prolactin controls the amount of milk produced. Prolactin levels increase markedly during pregnancy, stimulating the growth and development of the mammary tissue in preparation for milk production. However, milk is not secreted during pregnancy because the hormones progesterone and oestrogen block this action of prolactin. After delivery, levels of progesterone and oestrogen fall rapidly, and milk secretion begins.

The role of oxytocin

When a baby suckles, it stimulates nerves that tell the body to release prolactin and oxytocin. Prolactin causes the alveoli to make milk, and oxytocin causes muscle contractions that push milk out of the alveoli and through the milk ducts. This process is called the "letdown reflex" or "milk ejection reflex".

The importance of frequent feeding

In the early weeks, a baby will eat 8-12 times every 24 hours. Feeding on demand is important to ensure adequate milk production and flow for exclusive breastfeeding. The more a baby suckles and stimulates the nipple, the more prolactin is produced, and the more milk is produced. This effect is particularly important when lactation is becoming established.

Responsive feeding

Responsive feeding, also known as on-demand or baby-led feeding, is important for building and maintaining a milk supply. Responsive feeding means feeding your baby whenever they are hungry, when your breasts feel full, or if you just want to have a cuddle. It is not possible to overfeed a breastfed baby.

Building a milk supply

In the first few days, a baby may want to feed quite often, perhaps every hour. They will begin to have fewer but longer feeds once the breasts start to produce more "mature" milk. The more you breastfeed, the more your baby's sucking will stimulate your supply, and the more milk you'll make.

Night-time feeding

It is normal for all new babies to awaken and/or feed at night, whether they are breastfed or formula-fed. Night-time feeding is important for building your milk supply and establishing the breastfeeding relationship. It is also helpful for keeping up the milk supply, as more prolactin is produced at night.

Responsive feeding is recommended over a feeding schedule

Firstly, it helps to establish a good breast milk supply. The more milk that is removed from the breast, the more milk is produced. Responsive feeding also helps the baby develop a secure attachment relationship with the parent and encourages the baby to develop positive eating behaviours. Responsive feeding takes advantage of a young baby's natural ability to regulate their calorie intake, which can disappear as they get older. Feeding them when they are hungry and letting them stop when they are full helps them retain this ability.

Responsive feeding is also linked to better outcomes for the baby. It is associated with mature milk coming in quicker after birth, regaining birth weight faster, and a lower risk of jaundice. In contrast, supplementing with formula milk, particularly in the early days and weeks, can lead to a drop in supply or difficulties with latch. Responsive feeding is also an important part of providing a high level of contraceptive cover through the Lactational Amenorrhea Method, which offers 98% security of contraception as long as babies are fed responsively.

In the first few weeks of life, breastfeeding should be responsive or "on demand". Newborns should breastfeed 8-12 times per day for about the first month, although this can vary among individuals. As the baby gets older, they will feed less often and may have a more predictable schedule. Newborns should not go more than about 4 hours without feeding, even overnight.

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