Breastfeeding your baby early and often
Breastfeeding in the early weeks often doesn’t follow a pattern. Watch your baby for his early signs of hunger, not the clock.
Your baby might want to breastfeed for comfort, reassurance and bonding as well as breastmilk.
Newborn babies need to breastfeed at least 8–12 times in 24 hours, but they don’t watch the clock! They might feed several times in the space of an hour or two, or they might have a longer sleep sometimes.
Keeping your baby close so you can see her cues and breastfeeding frequently will help establish your milk supply and get breastfeeding off to a good start.
“Responsive breastfeeding involves a mother responding to her baby’s cues, as well as her own desire to feed her baby. Crucially, feeding responsively recognises that feeds are not just for nutrition, but also for love, comfort and reassurance between baby and mother.”