Question: How often should you breastfeed?
Answer:
The frequency of breastfeeding is determined by the age of your baby. During the first month of their lives, most newborns need to eat between 8 to 12 times over a 24-hour period. You may need to wake your baby to feed them if they go three hours without eating.
Because breast milk is digested faster than formal, breastfeed babies usually require more feedings. Another reason for the frequent feeding is that it will help with your milk production.
Your goal of course is to get your baby on feeding schedule, which will change as they grow. Once the baby is a couple months old, the feeding frequency should reduce to between seven and nine times over a 24-hour period. Eventually you will no longer need to wake your baby up during the night for a feeding. Your pediatrician and/or lactation specialist will help you establish a schedule and work with you to adjust it over time.
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