How Often Do You Need to Breastfeed Your Baby?

Breastfeeding is an exciting journey, but it’s sometimes a frustrating experience. The best way to get things right is to do your research and be prepared with plenty of snacks, comfortable nursing clothing and a quiet place to feed your baby. In this article we’ll go over some of the breastfeeding basics to find out how often you should be feeding your baby.

How Breast Milk is Made

When you’re pregnant and nursing, breasts produce milk thanks to the hormone prolactin. Prolactin is produced in your brain and it signals your breasts to begin making milk. Feeding your baby then produces oxytocin, which causes the milk ducts in your breasts to push the milk out so that your baby can feed. This whole process is regulated by your baby’s feeding demands. Feeding your baby more often can cause your body to produce more milk, so it’s normal for your milk supply to go up and down depending on bub’s feeding habits.

How Soon Does Breast Milk Replenish

While nursing, your breasts are always making milk. That means it’s a myth that your breasts can be empty or that you need to wait between feedings. Most babies only drink about 80% of the milk that’s available in a single feeding, so there’s usually enough to feed your baby again if they ask for it.

In reality, feeding your baby doesn’t empty your breasts, it simply reduces the flow of milk to an insignificant level. After feeding you’ll probably find that it’s hard to express any large amounts of milk. But don’t worry! If you wait 20-30 minutes then you should be able to produce a reasonable amount of milk, and if you wait 60 minutes you should have more than enough to feed your baby again. A simple way to boost your milk supply is to offer the breast whenever your baby asks, even if there isn’t much milk. Feeding signals your body that it needs to produce more milk, so the more your baby eats, the more your body makes.

Frequency of Breastfeeding

There’s no right or wrong when it comes to breastfeeding. Simply listen to what your baby wants and let them feed as often and for as long as they want. It’s normal for babies to go through fussy periods, and it usually has nothing to do with you. Sometimes being tired or changes in routines and settings causes babies to refuse the breast, so there’s no need to worry. In most cases, newborns will need to feed 8 to 12 times a day, especially during the first few weeks. Babies also need to feed more around growth spurts (which usually happen at week 3, week 6, and weeks 8-12). But growth spurts can occur at any time, so listen to your baby’s needs and feed them whenever they want.

As long as your baby is steadily gaining weight and producing wet nappies 4-8 times per day, you can rest assured that they’re getting enough to eat!

Increasing Breast Milk Production

Breast milk production is actually a pretty simple process. Your body is designed to listen to your baby’s needs and make more (or less) milk depending on the signals it gets. Remember that everyone has a slightly different journey. The best thing you can do is to relax into it and avoid getting frustrated if your baby seems reluctant to feed. Usually all it takes is a little bit of practice and patience, and your body will handle the rest.

Stay persistent and offer the breast to your baby at regular intervals throughout the day. Otherwise, there are a few simple ways to produce more breast milk:

Feed your baby as often as they want, usually 8+ times per day
Get comfy and relax with a warm room, a blanket and some comfortable nursing clothing
Reduce your stress levels – breast milk production responds badly to excessive stress
Eat a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of greens and protein
Avoid smoking, drugs and lots of caffeine
Get as much sleep and rest as possible
Drink at least 2 litres of water every day

Breast milk production totally depends on how often your baby is feeding. Your body is remarkably good at adjusting breast milk production to suit your baby’s needs, so it’s normal for milk production to change. There’s usually nothing to worry about, but you can always talk to your doctor or a lactation specialist if you’re concerned.