Feeding your baby breast milk directly from the breast is known as breastfeeding or nursing. While your decision to breastfeed is a personal choice, paediatricians recommend breastfeeding as it is the only source of nutrition for your baby during the first six months. You can continue to feed the baby until both your baby and you are satisfied.

Breastfeeding frequency depends on whether your baby prefers frequent meals or longer feedings. However, this will change as the baby grows. Newborn babies typically prefer to be fed every 2–3 hours. By the time they are two months old, feeding time becomes every 3–4 hours; by six months, it becomes every 4-5 hours.

How do you know the baby is hungry?

One of the most common factors indicating the baby’s hunger is crying. There are other signs, too, like:

Babies lick their lips or stick their tongues out.
Rooting: moving their head to look for your breast
Suckling their fingers
Opening their mouth

Benefits of Breastfeeding for the Baby

Breast milk provides the most wholesome nutrition for your baby and contains all the vitamins, protein, and fat necessary for healthy growth. Breast milk also contains antibodies that help the baby fight off viral and bacterial infections and lower the risk of infections, respiratory ailments, diabetes, obesity, etc.

Breastfeeding has even been linked to higher IQ levels in later childhood. But most importantly, breastfeeding develops a strong bond between the mother and her baby.

Benefits of breastfeeding—for the mother

Breastfeeding can be a bonding experience. While it lowers your risk of breast and ovarian cancer, breastfeeding is also a calorie burner. Regular breastfeeding can aid in postpartum weight loss efforts. Breastfeeding releases the hormone oxytocin, which helps the uterus return to its normal size and reduces uterine bleeding post-birth.

How do I ensure my baby is getting enough milk?

It is natural for you to wonder if your baby is getting enough milk for proper nutrition. Indications that your baby is getting enough milk are:

Your baby doesn’t lose more than 7% of their birth weight within the first few days of delivery.
They are content between feeding times.
At least six wet diapers a day with pale or clear urine by the time they are ten days old

How do I teach my baby to latch on during breastfeeding?

Hold the baby facing you comfortably. With one hand, cup your breast and stroke your baby’s lower lip with your nipple. As a reflexive action, your baby’s mouth will open. Bring the baby’s mouth closer to your nipple, and centre your nipple in the mouth about the tongue.

When your baby’s lips are pursed outwards around your nipple, you’ll know your baby is latched on. The entire nipple and most of the areola should be in the baby’s mouth. Breastfeeding isn’t painful, even though you may initially feel tugging or a slight tingling. A good latching on prevents soreness in the nipples.

How can I get help with breastfeeding?

Please consult your doctor before you start breastfeeding your baby. Your doctor will help you make informed decisions, especially if you are on any prescription or contraband drugs.

Request an appointment at Apollo Cradle, DELHI-NCR - Chirag Enclave. Call 1860-500-1066 to book an appointment.

1. How often should I breastfeed my baby?

Newborn babies should be breastfed 8–12 times daily during their first month and should not go more than 4 hours without being fed.

When they are 1-2 months old, the babies should be fed 7-9 times per day.
Also, in the first few weeks after birth, feeding should be done whenever your baby is hungry, usually every 2-3 hours.

2. How do I calculate feeding time?

Count the time between feedings. It will be from when your baby begins to nurse to when the baby starts nursing again. For example, if your baby started nursing at 8 a.m. and nursed again at 10 the feeding time would be every two hours.

3. How long do babies nurse?

Newborn babies nurse for about 20 minutes. As the baby grows older, they take about 5–10 minutes on each side. Consult your doctor if your baby's feeding time is longer or shorter than normal.

4. Why should I alternate breasts while feeding?

Alternating breasts balance nursing throughout the day. It ensures an even supply of milk in both breasts and prevents soreness or painful engorgement (overfilling milk in the breasts).

5. How frequently should I burp my baby?

It is advisable to burp the baby while switching breasts. Sometimes even the movement while switching breasts can cause the baby to burp.
Some infants require more burping, some not so much. Burping can vary from baby to baby and from feeding to feeding.