How long should I breastfeed my baby for?

Feeding babies breastmilk is commonly said to give them the best start in life, but how exactly do you breastfeed and how long should you carry on?

Published 26 January 2010

So why is breastmilk so good for babies? “Breastmilk is tailor-made for your baby and adapts as he grows,” explains Anna Burbidge of the La Leche League, a charity dedicated to supporting women in breastfeeding. “Even if your baby is premature, your milk will adjust to his needs.”

Breastfeeding also gives babies some immunity to germs and bugs: “Mums tend to pick up the bugs and develop antibodies to them, which are passed onto their babies,” says Jeanne Tarrant of the Royal College of Midwives.   

This protection means babies who are breastfed are less likely to suffer from diarrhoea and chest infections than bottle-fed babies, and they tend to see the doctor less. And the advantages of breastfeeding last beyond childhood: adults who were breastfed as a baby are less likely to suffer heart disease or be obese than those who weren’t.  

There are also advantages for mums: breastfeeding can help new mums get their figure back as it promotes the hormone oxytocin, which helps the uterus contract. It can also reduce the risk of post-natal depression and some cancers.

Plus it’s a fantastic way to bond. “I love the way Mia stares up at me with her big brown eyes while I am feeding her. It is so special — and something only I can do for her,” says Tina, mum of four-month-old Mia.

Getting started with breastfeeding

The first tip to successful breastfeeding is to make sure you are comfortable. The second tip is to make sure your baby ‘latches on’ well. He needs to get a big mouthful of the dark area around your nipple — the areola — as this is what stimulates the flow of milk.  

Stroke your baby’s cheek to prompt his rooting reflex. When his mouth is wide open bring him towards your nipple so that his top lip is over your nipple and his bottom lip is turned out and covering the areola.

For the first three days you’ll produce a thin, yellowy substance called colostrum. This is particularly rich in antibodies to protect your baby. Around day three, you’ll start producing proper milk. “I couldn’t believe how large and hard my breasts got when my milk came in,” remembers Susanne, mum of Theo, six months.  “But I kept feeding and they soon settled down again.”

The first milk your baby gets from each breast will be quite thin and watery: this is designed to quench his thirst. The richer milk, full of fat and protein to help him grow, comes afterwards. Your baby may feed much less on the second breast, so alternate which one you start him on.

How can I tell if my baby’s getting enough milk?

“It’s really helpful to realise how small your baby’s tummy is,” says Anna.  “When he is first born, his tummy is the size of a small marble and he only needs 5-7ml per feed — that’s roughly one teaspoon! By day three, your baby’s tummy is the size of a large marble and he needs 22-27ml per feed — that’s less than two tablespoons.”

Because his tummy is so tiny he’s going to need to feed regularly — every two hours, or even more regularly, at first. Feeding him when he’s indicating he’s hungry (demand-led feeding) is one of the best ways of making sure he’s getting enough milk. Don’t worry that you’re going to run out: "The very act of emptying your breast stimulates your body to produce more," reassures Anna.

Counting his nappies also gives you a good indication if you’re getting it right. A newborn should produce six to eight wet nappies a day with several yellow bowel movements. By six weeks, there will be fewer bowel movements, but they will be larger.

“I have very small breasts so I worried that I wouldn’t be able to produce enough milk,” says mum Tracey. “But at nine months, George is bigger than all his friends, so it’s clearly not a problem.”

“Your baby’s birth will affect how he gets on. He may have a headache or be sleepy at first,” advises Anna. Skin-to-skin contact can be a really good way to relax him and prompt his natural rooting instinct.

“Also, try and feed your baby when he’s relaxed, as he’s more likely to latch on with a wide open mouth. By the time he’s crying he’s often too tense to latch on properly, so look for his earlier feeding cues, such as taking his fist to his mouth or quiet snuffling.”

“People tend to think breastfeeding just happens, but it can be hard work to begin with. Your baby has got to learn to suck and you’re a novice too. But it is worth persevering: once it works it’s the most special thing in the world,” says Jeanne.

How long should I breastfeed for?

“This is a really personal thing,” says Anna, “but every day you breastfeed you are adding to the healthy building blocks you are giving your baby.”

“Try to keep going for at least six weeks,” urges Jeanne. “If you are still exclusively providing your baby with milk through breastfeeding after a year, you should look to start substituting some of your baby’s feeds with a bottle.”

“Tom was a really ferocious feeder and I felt exhausted trying to keep up with him, so I moved him to bottles at six months, but Harry has been much calmer and I’m still enjoying breastfeeding him,” says Lucy, mum of Tom, two, and Harry, eight months.

You can continue to breastfeed your baby after you go back to work. By law, your boss has to provide somewhere private for you to express milk and a clean fridge for you to store it in. And when you’re at home you’ll still be able to enjoy your special feeds together. Try and introduce the new pattern of breast/expressed/formula feeds to your baby during the weeks leading up to your return to work, so it’s not too much change for him — and you — all at once.

What if I can’t breastfeed?

Don’t worry, not all mums or babies take to it. “I tried and tried to breastfeed Sid, but he was losing weight and at six weeks enough was enough. I cried when I made up his first formula but when he started putting weight back on I knew I had done the right thing,” says Sally, mum of four-month-old Sid.

Today’s formulas are designed to mimic breastmilk as closely as possible, so if you do have to introduce bottles you can rest assured your baby will get all the nutrients he needs. And you can still bond closely with him while you give him bottles — plus your partner will get the chance to share in the experience too.

Comfort feeding

Babies often continue to suckle after they have finished feeding. “Sucking for comfort isn’t a problem — it’s what they are meant to do,” says Anna. “In cultures where babies have access to their mother’s breasts all the time they might suckle every 20 minutes just for comfort.” If you know your baby has had enough milk and you want to get on with something else, gently prise him off your breast by putting your little finger in his mouth to break the vacuum he has created.

Find out more

• Helpful videos on www.breastfeeding.com
  
  
• Le Leche League
  www.laleche.org.uk
  0845 456 1855
  
  
• National Childbirth Trust
  www.nct.org.uk
  0844 243 6000
  
  
• NCT: Breastfeeding for Beginners by Caroline Deacon (£7.99, Thorsons)
  
  
• Now watch our short film “How should I stop breastfeeding?”