Hi Moms! I am expecting my 2nd baby soon. I had a lot of problem breastfeeding my 1st one and eventually had to resort to the formula. Its been 3 yrs since.

I am looking for advice on how frequently shd I be feeding my newborn..? Some say it shd be on-demand? Does that imply every time the baby cries? Also, for how long shd it be on-demand - at what age shd I try giving a gap b/w two feeds? What if the baby sleeps for 4-5 hours at a stretch should I wake her up in b/w and feed her or wait for her to get up and ask for milk.

Please advise.
Thanks in advance Dr Mangala WaniPune replied. You should have your second baby delievered in a Baby-Friendly Hospital where Lactation Consultant will guide you for successful breastfeeding.The initial period is very important and you need lot of support from your Lactation Consultant,Obtetrician and paediatrician and ofcourse from trained nurses in the hospital.See what r the poicies regarding breastfeeding in your hospital.
Have a skin to skin contact immediately after birth and start breastfeeding within 1 hour after delievery.This is possible even after caeserian delievery .For the first two weeks,I feel baby should be fed 2 hourly in daytime and atleast twice in night.Some babies r very sleepy in the begining and u have to wake them up.Once breastfeeding is established and baby starts putting on weight,then feeding on demand is reccomonded.One should look for feeding cues like baby is doing sucking movements,sucking sounds,hand to mouth movements,soft cooing sounds or restlessness.Crying is a late feeding cue and may interfere with effective breastfeeding.
Each baby behaves different,they may feed from 15 to 40 minutes.If they r sucking longer means possibly baby' s attachment at the breast is not correct.Once breastfeeding is well established then if baby sleeps 4 to 5 hours at stretch should be ok. megha replied. i am a mom of two. with the second one, bf was comparatively easy as you know what to expect. however, every child is different. so go at your baby' s pace. here are some tips-
1. Start bf as soon as your baby is born even if there is no milk.
2. Have nipple cream handy all the time as until the bf routine is settled, you might experience sore nipples etc. I was in such a bad state that i felt like giving up bf after a couple of weeks. but i didn' t, i had lot of support. After a month, things were lot easier and had no complaints at all.
3.If you experience engorgements, speak to your dr/nurse for advice. best thing is to express excess milk only that can relieve you.
4.Initial few weeks will be demanding so be patient, have plenty of help at hand but don' t neglect your older one.
5. Try to feed on demand. babies don' t just cry for milk - they might need cuddles, your proximity, nappy changing, fresh air etc.

regarding sleep and feed - I had the prb that my second one used to sleep a lot, he was a tiny baby. But i was advised to wake him up and feed. and not let him go w/o feed for more than 4 hours.This is also imp for your body to produce enough milk. it all depends upon demand and supply. The best way to wake a sleepy baby is to undress him and dress him up again :)

And yes, sometimes the feeds can go on upto an hour. so hv plenty of patience. read a book or talk to your baby during the feed.

The baby can demand feeds frequently too. So you might feel that you are doing nothing feeding all day and night. but this settles after a month or so.

Get advice on expressing and feeding if you are not comfortable with direct bf. I cannot tell you about expressing as i did not resort to it.

Above all, don' t give up. Once you are comfortable, you and your baby will enjoy it.

All the best.