Your baby has all the answers!
If you're wondering who to ask about the how often to breastfeed, ask your baby! They'll be the best judge of things! Don't try to stick to a breastfeeding schedule in the early stages, just feed your baby on demand. A pattern will gradually emerge if you watch your baby and not the clock and before you know it you'll be a great team and have a routine going.
Frequent feeding
Your newborn baby will 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 also important to keep up the night feeds, especially in the early weeks, as they are essential for your baby's nutritional requirements, for maintaining your milk supply, and basically keeping baby happy!
Many mums worry about whether their baby is getting enough milk. If they seem energetic and alert don't worry, but if you're concerned you might find some helpful suggestions in our practical info and advice section.
Your baby's growing needs
You'll notice as your baby grows that they'll probably feed for longer but less often - unless they're going through a growth spurt. The more you feed, the more milk you'll produce, so don't be concerned if they seem to be guzzling all the time; your body will adapt to cope with their demands.