Breastfeeding phases
Your breasts undergo changes as the milk supply fluctuates in response to the baby’s needs. As children get older, their behaviour changes too—they’ll state their needs more and more clearly. Everything seems to get easier with time.
The table below provides an overview of breastfeeding phases between birth and the age of 6 months, describing your baby’s behaviour and what may happen at feedings.
Right after birth: Mother and child get acquainted
Your baby
- Will instinctually seek your breast within an hour of birth.
- Will then sleep for several hours.
- May find it harder to breastfeed if they have taken more time to recover from delivery.
Feedings
- Offer baby your breast if they seem interested.
- If they don’t nurse right away, hold them close until they show interest.
- The interval between the first two feedings can vary.
- If necessary:
- Let a few drops of milk drip onto their mouth, but don’t insist if their refuse—be patient;
- Express milk and give it to them from a spoon or small cup. Avoid bottles for the time being.
The first 14 days: A time of learning for mother and child
Your baby
- May be drowsy, especially if they have jaundiced.
- May sleep so much that you need to waken them up to ensure they get enough nourishment, i.e., 8 times or more per day (24 hours).
- Tends to fall asleep at your breast as soon as the flow of milk slows, even if they have not drunk enough.
Feedings
- It can take a long time to get ready and latching on may be difficult. A feeding session (breastfeeding, stimulation, burping and diaper-changing) may take between 45 and 90 minutes.
- The number and length of feedings is less important than the quality of the latch and effectiveness of the sucking. Babies who suck effectively spend less time at the breast and are less likely to hurt your nipples.
- If your baby falls asleep while you breastfeed, try tickling them, uncovering them, holding them close or talking to them. Make sure they latche on properly. Try using the breast compression technique.
2 to 8 weeks: Mother and child are more comfortable with each other
Your baby
- Awakens on their own for feeding and stays awake for longer periods.
Feedings
- You’re getting better at latching on and feeling more at ease as you get to know your little one better.
- Between weeks 6 and 8, your breasts produce as much milk as before but become softer to the touch and smaller in size as they adjust to your baby’s needs.
From 2 to 6 months: Mother and child have their own routine
Your baby
- Expresses their needs more readily—for example, when they want to change breasts.
- Needs more stimulation; it’s not always easy to know if they are hungry or wants to do something different
Feedings
- Feedings are shorter.
- At 3 months, baby tends to look around them while nursing.
- At 4 months, baby’s appetite changes: they may ask for the breast more often. They may still wake up at night for feeding—or start doing so again.
Breastfeeding a baby aged 6 months and up
Breastfeeding a newborn and an older baby are two very different things. Once children start eating other foods at around 6 months of age, the rhythm of breastfeeding gradually changes as your baby adapts to the family’s mealtime routine. But you and your child can still benefit from the advantages of breastfeeding, which will continue as long as you carry on nursing.
As your child gets older, they will start to show curiosity and initiative, and this can carry over into breastfeeding. Their newfound independence may sometimes pose problems—they might ask for your breast at inconvenient times. But trust yourself: in breastfeeding, as in parenting in general, you’ll learn to set limits on what you consider to be acceptable or not. Your baby will learn to be a bit more patient and will get used to breastfeeding on your terms.
As children near one year of age, they typically breastfeed only a few times per day, although some may still do so more frequently. At this age, the number of feedings varies from one day to the next, depending on the child’s activities and mood.
In Québec, an increasing number of women are continuing to breastfeed beyond age 1—even if only once a day— because it helps prolong the special mother–child relationship they cherish. Breastfeeding for a longer period has ongoing health benefits for the baby. Many find that breastfeeding in the evening is an enjoyable part of the bed-time ritual. Support group volunteers are very comfortable with the idea of breastfeeding a toddler. Feel free to discuss it with them.
Breastfeeding in public
More and more women are breastfeeding in public. It’s your right to breastfeed your child, regardless of the location. In Québec, that right is protected by law. Breastfeed with self-confidence and simplicity. To make things easier, try wearing layered garments (for example, a T-shirt and sweater) or a blouse. Some places provide special breastfeeding and baby care areas for parents who don’t feel comfortable nursing in public.
Breastfeeding and child separation
Your personal or professional activities may require you to be separated from your child for varying lengths of time. You can continue breastfeeding despite these separations.
Before the age of 6 months, babies rely on milk to meet their needs. Depending on the length of the separation, they may need to take a bottle. Often, around 6 months, some babies are content to have solid food until their next breastfeed. Even if they only drink a little while separated, they make up for it by nursing more heavily the rest of the time.
During the separation period, you may feel the need to relieve your breasts by expressing milk. Be sure to have everything you need to keep the expressed milk cool (e.g., container, cooler, ice pack).
Occasional separations
If you know you’ll be away from your baby for a while, you can express milk and refrigerate or freeze it. Babies can drink from a cup or a bottle, depending on their age and abilities. They may only drink a small amount—that happens sometimes. But don’t worry—your baby will probably have a “full-course” meal once you return.
Returning to work or school
Returning to work or school will require you to be away from your baby regularly for up to several hours. Yet it’s often possible to continue breastfeeding. You’ll get to enjoy the moments spent snuggling with your nursing baby before going out or once you return.
As with occasional separations, you can refrigerate or freeze your expressed milk. This way you continue to provide excellent nourishment that will help your infant develop and stay healthy, even if you have less time together.
You may also decide to breastfeed when you’re with your child and have them bottle-fed with another type of milk when you’re away (see Which milk is best?). Your milk production will adjust if you opt for this type of “mixed feeding.”