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| Breastfeeding Questions |
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 Many new moms are nervous about breastfeeding being a success. Here are some of the most common questions new mothers ask. Probably the most asked question is: How often should my newborn be nursed? At the very beginning, nursing even, every two to three hours is standard. After the first few weeks, every three to four hours is most typical. You should nurse a newborn no less than 8 times a day, depending upon how long he sleeps between feedings at night. If he can go four hours between feedings, then you will probably feed him twice between 11pm and 7am. If you feed him right before he goes to bed, then you may only have to get up one time during the night. How often do I need to nurse an older baby? This is often asked as well. Depending upon the age of your baby, you should be feeding him every 3-4 hours during the day. As your child gets older, they will nurse less, but they will be getting more during each nursing. If you are going to nurse your baby, over 6 months old, you should not nurse less than 5 times a day. If your milk supply seems less, then add a feeding or two to your day to help increase your milk supply. Milk works on a supply and demand system. The more you nurse, the more milk you produce. Tapering off feedings as my baby gets older is a matter of timing. The most common change is going from a every three hour to every four hour nursing routine, dropping a feeding in the middle of the night, or dropping a late-night feeding. Sleep patterns are actually the key to knowing when your baby is ready to change their eating habits. A baby that has been on an every three hour routine normally takes 3 naps a day and if they eat every 3 ½ to 4 hours then they may drop the last nap of the nap or shorten one of the other naps considerably. Babies typically are ready to do this at around three months of age. Most babies drop the feeding in the middle of night by themselves at around 6-14 weeks old. You will know that they are ready when you awake in a panic in the morning wondering why your baby did not get you for a feeding. The baby will require more food during the day though, and if you are breastfeeding, your breasts may feel full for a few days, but it is well worth it! Although at the beginning, breastfeeding may seem complicated, it's really not. Successful breastfeeding, is usual pretty easy and important to mother and baby. |
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