When Does My Baby Need to Eat
& How Much?
Feed your baby whenever they ask.
Feeding on demand helps protect your baby's growth and your milk supply.
Offer both breasts as needed.
At this stage, your baby doesn’t know how to manipulate you.
If they seem hungry, they are communicating a real need!
How do I know they are asking?
There are lots of ways your baby communicates that they are hungry.
Watch your baby for feeding cues like:
~Rooting, smacking, licking lips
~Putting hands to their mouth
~Opening mouth & turning head toward you
~Sticking out tongue
~Squirming/Getting restless
Crying is one of the last signs, and latching can be more challenging once a baby reaches this point of hunger.
Early cues allow for multiple latching attempts without both of you being frantic.
Okay, but I'm a data person and need some real numbers.
You're not alone!
Babies need to eat a lot, even at night.
Sometimes feedings are 45 minutes apart and sometimes they are 3 hours apart,
so it is important to get familiar with your baby's cues and respond to those.
But here are some general guidelines to follow:
-Most babies should eat at least 8-12 times in 24 hours
-No more than 3 hours between feedings
Active Feeding vs. Comfort Sucking
Some babies really love to stay suckling at the breast even when they are done nursing for nutrition.
While it is completely okay to let them stay there, it can be helpful to know how to tell the difference so you can unlatch them and offer the second side, or finish the feeding.
Allow baby to remain at the breast as long as they are actively sucking and swallowing. They may take short breaks, but when actively feeding they’ll return to a pattern of strong pulls and regular swallows after a few seconds of pausing. When you see the sucks and swallows decrease (often marked by much longer breaks or light, fluttery sucks), you can offer breast compressions to perk his/her activity level at the breast. If the compressions are not waking baby - unlatch and offer the other breast. If both breasts have been offered and baby is no longer actively nursing, some babies will unlatch on their own. Others may stay latched and enjoy comfort sucking. Once active nursing is done, you may end the feeding at any time by breaking their seal with your finger and unlatching them from your breast.
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