How often should I feed my baby?

Advice on how often you should breastfeed your baby with information about your baby's normal feeding patterns frequency.

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Breastfeeding > How often should I feed my baby?

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You can let your baby tell you when it needs feeding. At the end of the feed your baby should come off the breast by itself. If your baby does this but still seems hungry then offer the other breast. Quite often your baby will only feed from one breast at a time. Simply offer the other breast at the next feed. If your baby does feed from both sides you will need to start the next feed on the side you finished on.

Most newborn baby's feed frequently, this stimulates your breast to make you produce milk - the more your baby feeds the more milk you produce. As your baby grows it will need more milk, by allowing your baby to feed on demand you will ensure your breasts are stimulated so you make all the milk your baby needs.

If you feel your baby is feeding more often than you can manage, it may be that they are not latching on correctly and therefore not getting enough milk. Babies do have growth spurts so extra feeding for a few days is quite normal.