When and how to feed your baby
Your baby will show you when they are hungry and when they have had enough.
It is best to follow your baby's hunger signs instead of feeding them at certain times or giving them the same amount of milk each time.
When your baby is breastfeeding, you should look for:
- rhythmical deep suckles
- your baby's jaw dropping, which shows they are swallowing
You can watch Global Health Media's video about signs your baby is getting enough milk.
Your baby might be more hungry at some times than others, so allow them to take more or less milk at different feeds.
In the first few weeks of your baby's life, it is normal for them to have at least 8 to 12 feeds each day.
It is easy to overfeed a baby who is bottle feeding, so it is important to use a responsive and paced bottle feeding style.
Feeding is about love, comfort, and relaxing together. You should hold your baby close to you when feeding them.
Smiling and talking to your baby while feeding them is important for their development.
Page last updated: 2 July 2024
