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• How often should I breastfeed and for how long?
• Is my baby getting enough milk?
 

How often should I breastfeed and for how long?

Some newborns nurse every 2 to 3 hours during the day and the night.  Others nurse every hour for 4 to 6 times, and then sleep for 4 to 6 hours.  Whichever way is fine as long as the baby nurses between 8 and 12 times within 24 hours. 

Some babies finish feeding in 20 minutes, and others take up to 45 minutes.  It is important for newborns to suck and swallow actively for at least 20 minutes at each feeding.  Older babies usually nurse for shorter periods of time. 

At the beginning of a feeding, breastmilk looks watery, but it is high in protein.  As a baby continues to suck, your breastmilk will look more like milk and have more calories. 

As a general rule, start each feeding from the breast which feels the fullest, and let your baby empty this breast well.  This is important to make sure your baby gets the richer milk.  Once that breast feels soft and empty, and your baby is no longer sucking actively, offer the other breast.

Give your baby a chance to burp at least once during each feeding, and again at the end.

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Is my baby getting enough milk?

These are signs that your baby is getting enough milk:
• your baby feeds 8 to 12 times in every 24 hours;
• your baby has lots of wet and dirty diapers;
• your baby is active and has a strong cry; and
• your baby has a wet, pink mouth, and bright eyes. 

For the first week, to make sure your baby is getting enough milk, keep track of the number of wet and dirty diapers in a 24-hour period.
 

Day 1	at least 1 wet diaper AND 1 black or dark green stool (poop)
Day 2	at least 2 wet diapers AND 3 black or dark green stools
Day 3	at least 3 very wet diapers AND 3 brown or yellow stools
Day 4	at least 4 very wet diapers AND 3 yellow stools
Day 5	at least 6 very wet diapers AND 3 yellow stools that are thick like toothpaste, or seedy and watery
After 5 days	at least 6 very wet diapers AND 3 stools

Around 1 month of age, some babies have 1 large stool every few days.  This is normal if your baby is content, and the stool is soft.  If your baby is fussy or has not had a stool at least once a week, see the section Getting Help.

A very wet diaper is heavier than a dry diaper.  If you want to know what a very wet diaper feels like, pour ¼ cup of water on a dry diaper.  Your baby’s urine (pee) should be clear or pale yellow, and it should have no smell.  If a dirty diaper is heavy, count it as both a wet diaper and a stool. 

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If your baby does not have enough wet and dirty diapers, get help right away!

Most babies lose a small amount of weight in the first couple of days after birth.  After that, babies should gain at least 4 to 8 ounces a week.  This means they gain 1 to 2 pounds per month for the first three months.

Your baby should be back to its birth weight by the time it is 2 weeks old.  If your baby has not gained enough, waken your baby for more feedings, and get help to make sure your baby is feeding well.  After your baby is gaining well, nurse whenever your baby seems to be hungry.