Q. What do I need to know about the rest of the first month of breastfeeding?

Days 5—14

1. Breastfed newborns eat about every 2-3 hours (or 8-12 times) in a 24-hour day. They may cluster feed as often as every 90 minutes (that’s from the beginning of one feeding to the beginning of the next). They usually eat about 2-3 ounces at each feeding.

2. Babies who try to nurse more frequently than every 90 minutes are either nursing for comfort or not getting enough milk. So, if it has been less than 90 minutes since the beginning of the last feeding, try letting the baby suck on your finger. Your breasts will thank you.

3. If your baby is truly nursing non-stop, go get your baby weighed. Make sure you have enough milk supply to meet your baby’s demand.

4. On the other hand, do not let your baby go for more than 3.5 hours during the day or more than 4 hours at night without nursing. Frequent feedings improve your milk production and give your baby the nutrition to grow.

Two Weeks

If your full term baby is at or above birth weight at the two week check up, you may let your baby sleep without interruption at night.

The One Month Mark

Your baby should be more efficient at feeding sessions. And nursing is (hopefully!) on auto-pilot.