First off, it’s important to note that there’s a difference between baby’s first few days of life and the months thereafter, when your milk production — and his appetite — have increased dramatically.
At birth, a baby’s stomach is the size of a walnut. A few minutes at the breast will fill him up, and he is likely to want another meal soon, as the easily digestible breast milk will go through him quickly.
Some babies are completely disinterested in food the first day after birth. Others go straight for it and are unstoppable. A baby who has been carried to term and is of a healthy weight is in no rush to eat. In fact, pressuring him to breastfeed can lead to a “feeding strike.” If you can, express some milk and drip it into baby’s mouth to encourage him.
Give the baby plenty of attention, and snuggle with him in bed. You can then offer him your breast whenever he starts rooting, opening his mouth and turning to the side — as if reaching his mouth toward the breast. Additional signs that baby is probably ready to feed include stretching his arms and legs out, opening his eyes, moving his tongue around, rocking his head, sucking his hands, making short, high-pitched sounds — and, as a last resort, crying.
Within the first few weeks, babies usually want to nurse 8 to 12 times a day, sometimes for a real meal and sometimes for an additional “snack.”
As they get a bit older and their stomachs expand, most babies will eat 5 or 6 times a day, though some keep up the frequent feedings for months. Each child is unique, and each has different needs.
Babies who nurse frequently early on are actually doing you both a favor: By working hard now, they’re securing their food supply for months to come.
Newborn babies have no concept of time, and you may find that you, too, lose track of how many hours have passed between feedings and instead respond instinctively to your child’s hunger and the fullness of your breasts. Nursing “on demand” generally is a better way to go than establishing schedules if you are home with your baby.
If you plan to return to work and continue breastfeeding, you may want to start expressing milk; there are a number of mechanical and electric pumps available, and many hospitals and birthing centers also rent sterilized pumps.
How long should a session be?
There is no “normal” length of a breastfeeding session. If your baby has latched on well, sucked and then released, and if he seems satisfied, he has probably had enough.
Should you offer both breasts at every meal? Again, there’s no simple answer to this. If baby is satisfied after one side, offer the other next time around. If he eats happily for a while and then roots around for more, you can swap breasts.
Remember that mothers of twins manage with one breast for each child. Milk production regulates according to your baby’s needs. Also keep in mind that baby’s needs will vary according to time of day and rate of growth.
The best strategy is to let baby take the lead and wait till he indicates he’s finished. There are real medical reasons for this. The fat content in milk increases the longer your baby nurses from each breast. If you change sides before baby is ready to, he will get more milk, but it will be more liquidy and contain less of the nutritious fat which is essential to growth and development.
There are several telltale signs of this, including if your baby vomits a lot; becomes uncomfortable a short while after nursing; has watery, yellow or greenish feces; or is growing but looks particularly slim. Also, your breasts may feel full quite often. Let your baby finish one side before offering him the next. If necessary, you can express some milk from the other breast in order to relieve the pressure.
One caveat: If a feeding takes longer than 20 minutes per breast, he may not be getting a really good latch and therefore not enough milk. In that case, you should ask your doctor or a lactation specialist for help.