Breastfeeding advice how long

This lays the foundations of a good milk supply for the future too. Use a sling. Get a bedside crib. Rest whenever possible. Cleaning does not matter. Make people look after you. Not for three days — at least six weeks!

Enjoy the cuddles and cosiness, and never doubt your body. Your baby is too young for a routine, so forget following a breastfeeding schedule — let her guide you instead. Most will find their own schedule over time. Some mums say a set routine was best for their baby — but these babies were probably among the small percentage who would naturally feed every four hours anyway! Instead, offer your baby your breast whenever she shows signs of being hungry.

It also dilates all the ducts that the milk comes through, so the milk starts to flow. Your milk will flow and your baby will drink. Try to trust in your body and your baby. As the milk starts to flow you may notice your baby slows her sucking rhythm.

Some mums can clearly hear their baby gulping down the milk, while others may not. Many babies may take one, two or three sittings at the breast before they are finished. At this stage, your breastfed baby will have five or more wet nappies a day and at least two soft, yellow poos — usually more.

Your baby may poo daily, or only poo every two to three days, or even less frequently than that. Most newborns will lose weight during the first few days after birth. This is normal and nothing to worry about. However, nearly all babies are back up to birth weight by day 10 to In the first three to four months the minimum expected weight gain is g 5.

When a baby wants to breastfeed very frequently over the space of several hours, this is known as cluster feeding. Mums most often report this happening during two to nine weeks after birth. This is a very normal, common behaviour for babies who are otherwise content during the rest of the day, feeding and gaining weight well, and generally healthy.

She may be finding it hard to switch off due to all the stimulation her growing brain is receiving, or she may simply feel overwhelmed by it. And what better way to be calmed than having a breastfeed, which is not just a source of food, but also a pain reliever and happy hormone giver? Breast milk is easily digested, so newborns are hungry often. Frequent feedings helps stimulate your milk production during the first few weeks.

As newborns get older, they'll nurse less often, and may have a more predictable schedule. Some might feed every 90 minutes, whereas others might go 2—3 hours between feedings.

Count the length of time between feedings from the time your baby begins to nurse rather than at the end to when your little one starts nursing again. In other words, when your doctor asks how often your baby is feeding, you can say "about every 2 hours" if your first feeding started at 6 a.

Especially at first, you might feel like you're nursing around the clock, which is normal. Soon enough, your baby will go longer between feedings. Newborns may nurse for up to 20 minutes or longer on one or both breasts. As babies get older and more skilled at breastfeeding, they may take about 5—10 minutes on each side.

Alternate breasts and try to give each one the same amount of nursing time throughout the day. This helps to keep up your milk supply in both breasts and prevents painful engorgement when your breasts overfill with milk. You may switch breasts in the middle of each feeding and then alternate which breast you offer first for each feeding. Can't remember where your baby last nursed? It can help to attach a reminder — like a safety pin or small ribbon — to your bra strap so you'll know which breast your baby last nursed on.

Then, start with that breast at the next feeding. Or, keep a notebook handy or use a breastfeeding app to keep track of how your baby feeds. Every baby is different. Some babies want frequent short feeds, and others prefer feeding for longer, or a mixture of both.

Let your baby finish the first breast, then offer the second. If your baby feeds all the time and you're worried, speak to a midwife, health visitor or a breastfeeding specialist.

You may need some help with positioning and attachment. You can also call the National Breastfeeding Helpline on Exclusive breastfeeding breast milk only is recommended for around the first 6 months of your baby's life.

Breastfeeding alongside solid foods is best for babies from 6 months. You and your baby can carry on enjoying the benefits of breastfeeding for as long as you like.

Breastfeeding into your baby's 2nd year or beyond, alongside other foods, is ideal. Lots of mothers carry on breastfeeding when they go back to work or college. Read more about breastfeeding after returning to work. You do not have to stop breastfeeding if you get pregnant again, either. Find out more about deciding when to stop breastfeeding. A newborn baby's stomach is only the size of a walnut, so they need to feed little and often.

Your baby can have a good feed and be hungry again quite quickly. This is why "responsive feeding" — also called "baby-led" or "on-demand" feeding — is so important. The idea is that you respond to your baby's cues. Breastfeeding is not only about your baby getting enough milk. Your baby feeds for comfort and reassurance, too.