How often should I breast feed?

Everyone seems to have a opinion on how often a baby should be fed, other mothers, parents, often strangers will offer unsolicated advice becaouse they have children. You can choose to feed on demand or at a set times, 2 hours apart, 4 hours apart, the choice at the end of the day is yours. It is a minefield, our advice for what it is worth is talk it over with your mid wife, get her advice and then do what suits you and your family, just don't be too hard on yourself at first it takes several weeks to get a routine going.

If you choose to feed on demand there are signs to pick up on before they start cry with hunger. Look out for them;

1. putting a finger in the mouth,
2. Turning the head from side to side looking for the breast.
3. Try to find a breast when they are being held
4. Trying to feed on other woman’s breasts

You will soon see the signs and get to know your own baby and manage to avoid the tears. It can be very tiring to feed on demand many women say they know how a cow feels but some people feel it is beneficial as it keeps milk supplies strong.

Not matter how often you choose to feed the key to being able to have a life and not feel that you are purely a milk making machine is to express. Expressing milk and storing it in the fridge for some one else to feed can help to alleviate this feeling and allow you the freedom to get on with other things in you life. Expressing the milk will allow you to leave the baby either to go out or to go back to work, it can give your partner time with your child and more than any thing it can give you some sleep occasionally while some one else takes on the night feeds.