Language
Search
View All
Jump to:
The importance of breastfeeding
Breast milk has all the water and nutrients your baby needs for the first 6 months of life.
The World Health Organisation recommends exclusive breastfeeding until your baby is 6 months old. This means you do not need to give your baby any food (solids) such as rice porridge, mashed fruit or vegetables, or any drinks such as water, juice, herbal drinks, or non-human milk before they are 6 months old. Read more about benefits of breastfeeding
When should I start breastfeeding?
Try to breastfeed your baby in the first hour after birth. In the first hour after birth, hold your baby (without clothes) against your bare chest (between your breasts). This is called skin-to-skin contact and helps your baby get ready to breastfeed.
Breastfeeding in the first hour after birth helps increase your breastmilk and your confidence. It also helps you bond with your baby. Your midwife, child and family health nurse or lactation consultant can help you at this time.
Skin-to-skin helps your baby:
feel calm and safe
get ready to feed
find the breast
How breastfeeding works
The more your baby sucks at the breast and does skin-to-skin contact, the more milk your body will make.
Breastfeeding is not only about food. Three special things happen when you feed your baby:
Bonding time: This is when you and your baby get closer. Your baby learns your voice, touch, and love.
Food time: Your baby gets the important nutrients they need to grow healthily.
Protection: Breast milk helps protect your baby from getting sick. It has antibodies that helps fight germs and also builds good bacteria in your baby’s stomach that supports digestion, immunity and overall wellbeing.
When you breastfeed, your body releases oxytocin, a special hormone that helps you feel a strong connection to your baby. This hormone makes you want to love and care for your baby.
Even when life gets busy, try to find a quiet moment to feed your baby. Holding them close during feeds makes them feel safe and loved.
Sometimes, they may stop, look at you, or even try to talk to you by making little sounds. This is how they learn and develop new skills.
How many times a day should I feed my baby?
In the first weeks
Most newborn babies feed every 1-5 hours. This is about 8-12 times over a whole day/night (24 hours). Every baby is different. Feeding can take 45 minutes to 1 hour at first. This gets shorter as your baby grows.
Feed your baby when they show hunger signs, such as:
- moving their head side to side
- opening their mouth
- sucking their hands
Read more about signs your baby is hungry or full
Most babies wake during the night to feed. If your baby does not wake up to eat, talk to your child and family health nurse or family doctor.
From 2 to 4 months
At this age, babies may feed 6 to 8 times in a day (24-hour period), but you can feed your baby whenever they show signs of hunger.
Feeding sessions may be shorter. Your breastmilk amount will change to give your baby the right amount they need.
Some days your baby may want more milk. Other days they may want less. This is normal.
Your baby may:
- cry before, during, or after feeds
- get distracted easily
- want to eat more when they are growing or sick
Breastfeeding your baby
How to feed your baby calmly
Watch your baby’s hunger and fullness signs
Change your baby’s nappy before feeding them
Calm your baby before starting
Feed in a quiet place with less noise
When to get help
Breastfeeding can be hard at first. It can take 6 to 8 weeks to feel confident.
Get help if you:
have breast or nipple pain
are worried about milk supply
feel feeding is not going well
Talk to your:
