It is normal for babies to “cluster feed,” meaning they feed several times close together and then go several hours without feeding. During the first days of life, normal, healthy newborns may breastfeed every hour or several times in one hour, especially during the evening and nighttime hours.
Newborns breastfeed often and for long periods of time. This is normal. It is not uncommon for babies to cluster feed during the first several days of life, especially in the evening and at night when they are most active.
You can expect your baby to feed several times per hour during the first two weeks of life, especially during the evening and nighttime hours.
Your newborn should be able to breastfeed for up to two hours at a time, 2 or 3 times per day. Babies may only be able to breastfeed for short periods of time, however; this is normal for babies of that age.
As your baby is feeding, he may appear a little uncomfortable. This is normal and safe to keep him in the breast for about 2 hours. You can decide how often you want to feed your baby, at different times of day or night, and how long each feeding should last.
Newborn Breastfeeding Schedule
How Often to Breastfeed
Newborn babies want to feed on demand, usually 8 to 12 times in a 24 hour period for the first two to four weeks. While breastfeeding, be careful of well-meaning family and friends who encourage you to breastfeed less often. Watch your baby for feeding cues, such as increased alertness or activity, mouthing, rooting and suckling.. If your baby is sleeping and does not show feeding cues in three hours during the day, try to wake your baby.
- You should feed your baby throughout the day and night.
- For sleepy babies, your healthcare provider may tell you to wake your baby every three hours for feedings until your baby has regained his/her birth weight.
- Do not give pacifiers to lengthen the time between feedings. Watch for feeding cues (examples listed above). Crying is a late sign of hunger and makes breastfeeding much harder.
Duration
The length of each feeding
During the newborn period, most breastfeeding sessions take 20 to 45 minutes. However, because newborn babies are often sleepy, this length of time may require patience and persistence. Feed on the first side until your baby stops suckling, hands are no longer fisted, and your baby appears sleepy and relaxed. When these occur, break the suction, burp the baby and go to the other side. Continue to feed your baby until he/she stops the feeding at the second breast. Alternate the side you start with for the next feeding.
While most babies will feed from both breasts at each feeding, some babies will be satisfied after one breast. Watch for long, slow sucks with swallows by the baby.
It is normal for babies to “cluster feed,” meaning they feed several times close together and then go several hours without feeding. During the first days of life, normal, healthy newborns may breastfeed every hour or several times in one hour, especially during the evening and nighttime hours. Your baby should be satisfied after cluster feedings.
Is My Baby Getting Enough Breast Milk?
You will know your baby is getting enough breast milk if:
Your newborn has frequent bowel movements.
- Typically, the stools are loose and change from black to brown to mustard-yellow in color in the first five days.
- Breastfed babies vary in stool patterns, but by their third day of life, they will usually have at least 2 to 3 stools in a 24 hour period. At five days old, most breastfed babies have at least four yellow, seedy stools per day. Older babies vary. Some have a bowel movement every day, while other babies have bowel movements every few days.
- There are also wet diaper patterns:
- Day 1 = one wet diaper
- Day 2 = 2 wet diapers
- Day 3 = 3 wet diapers, and so on
- Day 6 and older = 6 to 8 wet diapers in a 24-hour period. (After your milk increases, the urine will soak the diaper.)
- Your baby’s urine is pale in color.
- You can hear your baby swallowing the milk.
- Your baby is calm and relaxed after eating.
- Your baby is gaining weight. Many babies may lose up to 7 to 10 percent of their birth weight during their first days of life. Babies are born with fat reserves and usually regain the weight by two weeks of age. Frequent around-the-clock feedings will help prevent a major drop in weight.
- Your breasts feel softer after feeding.
Many breastfeeding mothers find that keeping a diary can be very helpful in determining if their baby is getting enough milk.
When a Baby is Unable to Breastfeed
Occasionally, there may be times where your baby is not able to breastfeed for a while. Hospital grade electric breast pumps can provide the needed “suckling” stimulus for your milk production and are readily available. At first, you may be able to only express a few drops of milk. This is very common, especially if this is your first baby. Begin double pumping (pumping both breasts at the same time) as soon as possible and continue pumping on a regular basis (every 1 to 3 hours, or 8 times in 24 hours, for 10 to 15 minutes). Your milk supply will increase over time. Do not worry about how much milk you are pumping. When you are able to breastfeed your baby, your milk production will be better.
Breastfeeding Twins or Triplets
Caring for more than one baby is a challenge that requires a lot of time, energy and patience. Breastfeeding can be a less expensive and convenient way to feed your babies, once you ease into the routine. Your milk supply will be plenty as long as your babies nurse often. Breastfeeding is a supply-and-demand process – the greater the demand, the greater the supply. Support groups, such as Mothers of Multiples, offer valuable support and helpful tips for nursing your babies.
Is A 10 Minute Feed Long Enough For A Newborn
How Often Should I Breastfeed?
Newborn babies should breastfeed 8–12 times per day for about the first month. Breast milk is easily digested, so newborns are hungry often. Frequent feedings helps stimulate your milk production during the first few weeks.
By the time your baby is 1–2 months old, he or she probably will nurse 7–9 times a day.
In the first few weeks of life, breastfeeding should be “on demand” (when your baby is hungry), which is about every 1-1/2 to 3 hours. 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.
Newborns should not go more than about 4 hours without feeding, even overnight.
How Do I Count the Time 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.m., the next feeding was around 8 a.m., then 10 a.m., and so on.
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.
How Long Does Nursing Take?
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.
How long it takes to breastfeed depends on you, your baby, and other things, such as whether:
- your milk supply has come in (this usually happens 2–5 days after birth)
- your let-down reflex (which causes milk to flow from the nipple) happens right away or after a few minutes into a feeding
- your milk flow is slow or fast
- the baby has a good latch, taking in as much as possible of your areola (the dark circle of skin around your nipple)
- your baby begins gulping right away or takes it slow
- your baby is sleepy or distracted
Call your doctor if you’re worried that your baby’s feedings seem too short or too long.
When Should I Alternate Breasts?
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.
Your baby may like switching breasts at each feeding or prefer to nurse just on one side. If so, then offer the other breast at the next feeding. Do whatever works best and is the most comfortable for you and your baby.
How Often Should I Burp My Baby During Feedings?
After your baby finishes on one side, try burping before switching breasts. Sometimes, the movement alone can be enough to cause a baby to burp.
Some infants need more burping, others less, and it can vary from feeding to feeding.
If your baby spits up a lot, try burping more often. While it’s normal for infants to “spit up” a small amount after eating or during burping, a baby should not vomit after feeding. If your baby throws up all or most of a feeding, there could be a problem that needs medical care. If you’re worried that your baby is spitting up too much, call your doctor.
Why Is My Baby Hungrier Than Usual?
When babies go through a period of rapid growth (called a growth spurt), they want to eat more than usual. These can happen at any time. But in the early months, growth spurts often happen when a baby is:
- 7–14 days old
- 2 months old
- 4 months old
- 6 months old
During these times and whenever your baby seems extra hungry, follow your little one’s hunger cues. You may need to breastfeed more often for a while.
How Long Should I Breastfeed My Baby?
That’s a personal choice. Experts recommend that babies be breastfed exclusively (without formula, water, juice, non–breast milk, or food) for the first 6 months. Then, breastfeeding can continue until 12 months (and beyond) if it’s working for you and your baby.
Breastfeeding has many benefits for mom and baby both. Studies show that breastfeeding can lessen a baby’s chances of diarrhea, ear infections, and bacterial meningitis, or make symptoms less severe. Breastfeeding also may protect children from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), diabetes, obesity, and asthma.
For moms, breastfeeding burns calories and helps shrink the uterus. In fact, breastfeeding moms might return to their pre–pregnancy shape and weight quicker. Breastfeeding also helps lower a woman’s risk of diseases like:
- breast cancer
- high blood pressure
- diabetes
- heart disease