how often should breastfed babies eat

A newborn breastfed baby should eat 10-12 times in 24 hours. It is important to nurse early and often after you have your baby in order to:

* Establish your milk supply - you need to give the message to your brain right away to “send milk!”
* Help baby learn to breastfeed – these early hours and days are crucial
* Assist your uterus to contract (reducing blood loss after birth)

The early hours and days of breastfeeding will help baby learn to eat. Though suckling is a reflex, they will need to latch properly and you will need to learn how to help them do so to avoid problems.

Keep in mind that before your milk supply increases (about the 3rd to 5th day postpartum), you are producing teaspoons, not ounces. That is perfectly okay. Your newborn is equipped with extra fluids and nutrients in his blood to sustain him. Remember, human milk is the gold standard for babies. The more often you put baby to breast, the quicker your milk will transition from colostrum to mature milk. This doesn’t diminish the importance of colostrum however. Colostrum is referred to as “liquid gold” for a reason.

Once your milk increases postpartum, your baby may be fuller for a longer amount of time. As your body adjusts to how often your baby is nursing, your supply adjusts as well. Your baby should still be breastfed on cue throughout this adjustment.

The question of how often young breastfed babies should eat is simple to answer: As often as they like! Babies nurse for many reasons other than hunger, and that is perfectly fine. Babies have a strong need to suck, it comforts them. Your baby also wants to be near you. Breastfeeding meets so many of your baby's needs.

As baby gets older, she may not want to nurse as often as she did when she was a newborn. She's exploring her environment more and is interested in many new things. Every breastfed baby is different and they have different personalities and nursing "styles". Some may want to eat frequently just as they did as a newborn, some go long periods inbetween nursing. Some are efficient and eat quickly, others like to linger. Enjoy your baby's unique personality!