Other babies are sleepy, especially in the very early days, so you may have to wake your baby up to breastfeed. All of these patterns are normal. As long as your child is getting enough breast milk and growing well, you don’t have to worry. Here are some guidelines for how often to breastfeed your newborn.
Nurse on Demand
The recommended way to feed your breastfed baby is on demand. Instead of sticking to a strict every 3-hour feeding schedule, it’s best to stay flexible and feed your little one whenever they appear hungry. If you breastfeed your newborn when they show signs of hunger, it provides them with a sense of comfort and security. On-demand feedings also help you to increase your supply of breast milk to meet your growing newborn’s nutritional needs. Then, as your baby gets older, a more routine schedule may naturally evolve. You might even get to sleep longer at night.
Watch for Hunger Cues
Babies may not be able to use words to let you know that they’re hungry, but they can tell you that it’s time to eat in other ways. A newborn is ready to eat when they are:
Awake, alert, and activeMaking soundsMoving their lips togetherMoving their head from side to sidePulling up their legsPutting their head on your chest while being heldRootingSticking out their tongueSucking their handsSquirming around
Your baby may show some or all of these signs of hunger. You may not notice that these are hunger cues at first, but as the days go on, you’ll begin to recognize them more easily.
Stop When Your Baby Is Full
In the beginning, breastfeed your newborn for as long as they will stay on the breast. Continue to breastfeed until you notice the signs that your child is satisfied. This way, you can be sure your baby is getting enough breast milk at each feeding. Plus, by keeping your baby breastfeeding longer, it stimulates your milk production and helps you to build up your breast milk supply. The more often and the longer you breastfeed, the greater your breast milk supply will be. At first, try to feed your newborn for approximately 15 to 20 minutes. When your baby gets older, they will be able to empty the breast faster, in about 8 minutes. Look for the following signs to know that your baby is satisfied from their feeding, including:
Appearing contentFalling asleep, and your breasts feel less fullStopping on their own and removing themselves from the breastDiscontinuing sucking, and your breasts feel less fullTurning away from the breast
Wake Your Sleepy Baby
Sleepy babies can be a challenge. If you have a sleepy newborn, you may have to wake them up to breastfeed. During the newborn stage, you should wake your child if it’s been 3 1/2 hours since the beginning of the last feeding. And, do your best to keep your child awake and interested while you’re nursing. Once your baby is a little older, you can let them sleep longer between feedings as long as they’re gaining weight and growing well. Try these strategies to keep a sleepy baby breastfeeding:
Burp your baby. Change your baby’s diaper right before you begin to breastfeed or when switching breasts. Rub your child’s feet or back to help keep them sucking at the breast. Take advantage of alert times, even if the baby is quiet. Unwrap your newborn. If they are too warm and comfortable, they may only want to sleep. Wipe the baby’s face with a wet (but not cold) washcloth.
Nurse More During Growth Spurts
Occasionally, it may seem like your baby wants to breastfeed all the time. An increase in appetite could be a sign of a growth spurt. During a growth spurt, your baby will nurse much more frequently. Nursing more often stimulates your body to produce more breast milk for your growing child. So, it’s important to keep putting your baby to your breast. A growth spurt usually lasts about 1 or 2 days.
When to Call the Doctor
If, at any time, you feel that your newborn is not getting enough breast milk or is not breastfeeding well, contact your baby’s pediatrician or health care provider. The doctor will check your baby to make sure they are gaining weight steadily. The doctor can also answer your questions and help you feel more confident and comfortable about your newborn’s breastfeeding schedule.
