Every baby is different. The amount and frequency of your baby’s feeds will depend on his needs. Here are some things you can expect about how often breastfeeding newborn to 24 months.
First days
1# Your newborn’s belly is tiny. He doesn’t need a lot of milk at each feed to be full.
2# Your baby may want to eat every 1-3 hours. Frequent feedings help increase your milk supply and allow your baby to practice sucking and swallowing.
3# You may be able to hear your baby suckling and swallowing your breast milk.
4# Most breastfed babies should not receive formula for the first few days. If you are concerned about meeting your baby’s needs, talk to a lactation consultant or your baby’s nurse or doctor right away. They can help you resolve any breastfeeding issues and determine the best way to meet your baby’s needs.
Suggested reading: 7 Things We Bet you Didn’t Know about Newborns
Did you know
Some newborns may be sleepy and uninterested in feeding.
At first, babies need to eat every 2-4 hours to help them get enough nourishment to grow.
This means you may need to wake your baby to feed him. You can try patting, stroking, undressing, or changing diapers to help wake your baby.
If you are worried about how much your baby is sleeping or eating, talk to your doctor or nurse.
First Weeks to Months
1# As babies grow, so do their bellies. Your baby will gradually be able to drink more breast milk with each feed.
2# During the first few weeks and months, the time between feedings will begin to lengthen. On average, most exclusively breastfed babies feed about every 2 to 4 hours. Some babies may occasionally feed every hour, which is often called group feeding. Or you can have a longer sleep interval of 4-5 hours.
3# How often your baby feeds can vary depending on the time of day. Some feeding sessions can be long and others short. This is good. Babies usually take in what they need at each feeding and stop eating when full. They should look happy and sleepy after being fed when they’ve had enough milk.
4# Your baby will nurse 8 to 12 times in 24 hours.
Also Read: The 10 Best Gift Ideas For Newborns
6 to 12 months
1# When and how often babies breastfeed will change as they get older and start eating more solid foods.
2# Follow your baby’s breastfeed and cues when you notice signs of hunger. This is called breastfeeding on demand.
3# If your baby seems less interested in breastfeeding after the introduction of solid foods, try breastfeeding before offering other foods.
4# Your breast milk is the most important source of nutrition, even after you start giving your baby solid foods.
Note: If you have any questions about your baby’s growth or how often breastfeeding newborn to 24 months, talk to your child’s doctor or nurse.
Also Read: Naming Your Baby: How To Choose The Perfect Name
12 to 24 months
The number of times a young child breastfeeds varies. Some want to breastfeed just before bed or in the morning. Others continue to drink breast milk as part of their daily diet. Continue to follow your child’s cues to decide when he is hungry and wants to breastfeed.
References:
https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/infantandtoddlernutrition/breastfeeding/how-much-and-how-often.html