(lactation activist)
A Motherlode of Breastfeeding Information
How Often Should I Nurse My Baby?
This is such a common question, yet there just isn't an easy answer. Newborn babies should be nursing at least every 2 hours during the day and every three hours at night. They should be awakened to feed on this schedule until they have gained back their birth weight, and then they can go to a more natural schedule. Gentle stimulation techniques should be employed to get them awake enough to eat if drowsiness is an issue. (Undressing, rubbing, gently tapping on the feet, wet wash cloth wiped across forehead, etc.) Many babies are very sleepy after birth, especially if the mom or baby was given any medications during the birth process. Making sure your baby gets enough to eat in the early weeks is very important not only for their health, but also for the establishment of an adequate supply of breastmilk. Once the baby has proven to be a good nurser and the mother has an adequate milk supply, a much more intuitive approach can be taken with the feeding schedule.
In the early weeks of frequent nursing, you get to know this new little person. You start to understand their different cries and body language and an eating pattern starts to develop. Following your baby's cues is the best way to ensure that your baby gets plenty to eat and lots of time in your arms. Some babies slow to a much more leisurely pace of eating every 3-4 hours during the day and almost sleep through the night. I do believe that these are the babies that all the books write about. These are the babies who have parents who can go places and get their house cleaned. Then there are other babies. These babies need more care and more frequent feedings. Some babies nurse every 45 minutes during the day and every 2 hours at night. These are the parents that you don't see. They are busy carrying their baby and engaged in seemingly endless rounds of nursing and diaper changes. Both babies are completely normal; one just takes more effort to keep it at peace. If your baby is the more demanding version, take heart; you are not alone. Many babies require an intense amount of care. They do eventually grow out of it and are often some of the more lively babies.
There is no one feeding schedule that works for every baby. Follow your heart, watch your baby and trust your instincts, and you will discover what works for you both. Don't be discouraged if you find yourself feeding frequently one day and not as often the next. Just as you have different hunger levels each day, so does your growing baby. Follow her clues, and make sure that in the early months you are changing at least 8 wet cloth diapers or 5 disposables and the baby is gaining weight on a regular basis, and you will find a rhythm that suits you both.
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