3
If your baby is getting enough milk, your breasts will be full with milk, soft
after feedings and refill between feedings. Your baby will:
• Have 6 or more wet diapers in a 24 hour period
A healthy, full term baby who is nursing well does not need extra water or
formula. Do not feed your baby extra water or formula unless ordered to do
so by your baby’s doctor. Talk to your baby’s doctor, nurse or your lactation
specialist if you do not think that your baby is getting enough milk.
Feedings are timed from the start of one feeding to the start of the next.
and at least every 4 hours during the night. If your baby gives feeding cues,
feed your baby. Your baby may want several feedings very close together.
By the end of the first week, your baby will be nursing 8 to 12 times in 24
hours. As your baby and your milk supply grow, your baby may begin
feeding less often.
Even after babies are able to sleep for longer periods, their sleep is
sometimes disturbed by dreams, hunger or a busy day. Expect that your baby
will wake at night and may need to be fed.
Babies have growth spurts in their first 6 months and will nurse more often
during them. By feeding more often, your body will make more milk to get
through the growth spurts. These spurts often last 3-5 days.
Feed your baby until he shows signs that he is full such as slowing down
sucking and then detaching himself from the breast, and relaxing his hands,