An infant from birth to 3 weeks old needs to nurse frequently, as often as 12 times a day. Each nursing session should last about 30 minutes. Feeding on demand is best for a newborn. When a baby is hungry, she sucks on her hands or clothing, nuzzles those holding her, opens and closes her mouth or cries.Continue Reading
The baby's sucking helps to encourage milk production, so nursing mothers should let their babies feed as long as possible. A woman's body does not produce milk until two or three days after birth, but it is very important to nurse often during this time. Immediately after birth, the body manufactures colostrum, a blend of immune factors and proteins, which helps a newborn's immune system. A woman's body does not produce much colostrum, but a baby only needs about a teaspoon of colostrum per feeding.
Breast milk digests more easily than formula, so a nursed baby needs to eat more often than a formula-fed baby. The breast milk at the end of a feeding is richer in calories and fat, so a baby should be nursed until a breast is nearly empty before switching to the other one. A well-fitted nursing bra helps to prevent sagging and reduces pain from overfilled breasts.Learn more about Babies & Toddlers