Your child has all the answers!
Don’t try to stick to a breast-feeding schedule in the early stages, just feed your child on demand. They’ll be the best judge of things! A pattern will gradually emerge if you watch your child and not the clock and before you know it they’ll have a routine going!
Frequent feeding
Newborn children need short, frequent feeds every two to three hours in the early days. This is because breast milk is very easily digested and their stomachs are quite small.
It’s important to keep up the night feeds, especially in the early weeks, as they are essential for your child’s nutritional requirements and for maintaining your milk supply.
Many mums worry about whether their child is getting enough breast milk. If they’re full of energy and alert, don’t worry, but if you’re concerned you might find some helpful suggestions in our practical info and advice section.
Your child’s growing needs
As your child grows they’ll probably feed for longer but less often - unless they’re going through a growth spurt. The more you feed, the more breast milk you’ll produce, so don’t panic if they seem to be guzzling all the time; your body will adapt to cope with their demands.