Breastfeeding – Frequent Feeding

I feel like I am going mad as my baby feeds every 2 – 3 hours and then for almost an hour. Can this possibly be normal?

Believe it or not, this IS perfectly normal! By feeding the baby every time there is a demand and letting baby feed until baby is finished, you are doing the best job possible. This situation will improve as your milk supply rises to meeting these demands. And as baby grows the gaps between feeds will lengthen, until baby is feeding roughly four hourly. In fact the most efficient way to have a good milk supply is by frequent feeding.

Feeding habits and demands vary so widely from baby to baby that you should not compare your baby’s feeding habits to those of another baby. If you need more reassurance it might be worth visiting your clinic or talking to a lactation specialist who could spend some time observing you feeding and might be able to give you some helpful suggestions concerning your particular situation.

The other way to reassure yourself that everything is going well is to check the number of very wet nappies your baby produces per day. If there are six to eight nappies per day then everything is as it should be. So pat yourself on the back and try to relax and enjoy this precious time with your newborn.

See also:
Breastfeeding – After Caesarean
Breastfeeding – Alcohol to boost milk
Breastfeeding – Basic info
Breastfeeding – Breast infection continuing feeding
Breastfeeding – Breast infection or mastitis
Breastfeeding – Difficulty
Breastfeeding – Effect of exercise
Breastfeeding – Effect of laughter
Breastfeeding – Engorgement Discomfort
Breastfeeding – Engorgement Pain Relief
Breastfeeding – Engorgement Reason
Breastfeeding – Fear
Breastfeeding – Feeding positions
Breastfeeding – Feeding when ill
Breastfeeding – Importance
Breastfeeding – Increasing Milk
Breastfeeding – In the beginnning
Breastfeeding – Jaundice
Breastfeeding – Latching
Breastfeeding – Leaking Milk
Breastfeeding – Let-down Reflex
Breastfeeding – Medication
Breastfeeding – Milk Consistency
Breastfeeding – Milk Release
Breastfeeding – Milk Starting
Breastfeeding – Mother’s Sickness
Breastfeeding – Mother’s Stress
Breastfeeding – Mother’s Thirst
Breastfeeding – Nipples Healing
Breastfeeding – Nipples Painful
Breastfeeding – Nipples Washing
Breastfeeding – Overdue Baby
Breastfeeding – Reasons Not To
Breastfeeding – Restless Baby
Breastfeeding – Second Baby
Breastfeeding – Shape Of Breasts
Breastfeeding – Simplicity
Breastfeeding – Sleepy Baby
Breastfeeding – Some Advantages
Breastfeeding – Watery Breastmilk
Breastfeeding – Weight Loss
Breastfeeding – When To Wean
Breastfeeding – World breast feeding day