Time

How often should I breastfeed?

From their second or third day of life, most babies breastfeed 8-12 times in 24 hours – this can occur until they are three to six months old. Feeds might not be spaced evenly around the clock, as babies tend to cluster feed in the late afternoon and evenings. The length of each feed varies as it might take up to 30 minutes to drain a breast – if your baby is thirsty, rather than hungry, they will feed for a shorter period.

Are feeding intervals counted from the time my baby starts or stops nursing?

Count the intervals between feeds from the start of the feed. For instance if your baby starts breastfeeding at 7am and then feeds at 9am, the interval is two hours.

How often should I alternate breasts?

At each feed offer both breasts. If your baby didn’t drain one of the breasts, offer that breast first at the next feed. Both breasts need to be drained to avoid engorgement. Sometimes babies have a favourite breast and won’t feed as well from the other. Keep offering that breast first and express if necessary. If you can’t remember which breast was offered when, you can use our breastfeeding tracker, which allows you to monitor sides. Be guided by the fullness of the breasts. If a breast is not drained during the day, it will feel heavy and full

How can I tell when I'm ready to breastfeed?

In the first weeks, heavy and overfull breasts will alert you when the milk has come in (meaning that breast milk with different composition and quantity - hindmilk and foremilk - arrives after the colostrum, the early breast milk). As your body makes more milk at night, it’s quite common to wake up in the morning with very full breasts. If your baby is still sleeping, you will need to wake them up or express. As your milk supply adjusts to your baby’s needs, your breasts will feel soft to the touch – follow your baby’s lead because by then they will be able to breastfeed effectively. If your baby is ill and not feeding properly, seek support and medical advice.

Should I limit the amount of time my baby is nursing?

No, as this might affect your milk supply. The more your baby sucks, the more breast milk your body makes. If you feel that your baby is feeding constantly, bear in mind that newborns have small stomachs so need to feed often, while older babies might go through a growth spurt so they are trying to increase your supply. However, if your baby is nursing for long periods but is not gaining weight, talk to a healthcare professional and breastfeeding counsellor. The most common reason is poor latch, which can be corrected.

My baby breastfeeds every hour at night. How can I get my baby to sleep more?

If your baby is healthy and gaining weight, they don’t need to wake up so often. If your baby is a newborn, they might not be able to distinguish from day and night – keep night time feeds quiet and do not switch on the light (a torch or very dim nightlight might help). Cut daytime naps, particularly those in the late afternoon. Offer plenty of stimulation during the day so they are tired at night. If your baby is six months old, move them to their own room. Also consider your caffeine intake, if it’s too high, it might make your baby wakeful. When nursing during the day, allow your baby to finish a breast before offering the other - this will provide more hindmilk, which is higher in calories and more filling. Other reasons why your baby might be breastfeeding often is a growth spurt or teething. A growth spurt is a phase that can last on average between 2 -3 days, If everything fails, consider expressing (preferably in the evening) and give your baby a bottle or cup of breast milk at bedtime. For more information, see: Baby sleep routine

Is the quality of breast milk better at a particular time of day - i.e. after eating?

The composition of breast milk varies during the day and between feeds. Early in a feed, your baby receives foremilk, which is thirst-quenching, then they get hindmilk, which is high in fat and calories in order to satisfy hunger. In the evening and at night, breast milk contains a natural chemical that aids sleep.

How soon can I start expressing?

If feeding from the breast is not going well and/or your baby is premature you might be expressing very soon after the birth. If all is well and you want to introduce a bottle, it’s best to wait until your baby has learnt to breastfeed effectively to avoid nipple confusion. This varies from baby to baby but should occur at approximately six weeks after birth.