Breastfeeding can come with a lot of questions — especially in those early weeks.
From wondering whether your baby is feeding often enough to worrying about their latch, newborn behaviour and whether they’re getting enough milk, it’s easy to find yourself second-guessing what’s normal.
We asked Hannah Croft, IBCLC, to answer some of the common breastfeeding questions she hears from parents, offering reassurance and practical advice for those early days and beyond.
Here are four questions Hannah is often asked…
Should I wake my baby for feeds?
In the very early hours and days after your baby is born, it can be a good idea to remind them to feed frequently. Some newborn babies can be very sleepy, and may need reminding to eat. Remember, whilst in your womb all your baby’s needs were met, so they’re not yet used to having to ask for food.
Offering your baby a chance to breastfeed frequently will mean they get the colostrum, then milk, and you both get practise at sussing out latching, and your breasts get lots of stimulation too which turns on all the prolactin receptors, getting your breast ready to make lots of milk as the days and weeks go by! So offering frequently has lots of benefits.
We’d anticipate a newborn to feed between 8-12 times in 24 hours, so offering every 2-3 hours can be a good strategy. We usually would time this from the start of one feed to the start of the next.
Once your baby is back to birthweight and gaining weight well (usually around 30g/day) and if all feels settled, it’s usually ok to switch to being entirely responsive to your baby’s cues, although of course you can continue always offering a breastfeed whenever you’d like to!
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My baby settles to sleep during feeds, but wakes as soon as I put them down. Does this mean there’s something wrong with my supply?
It’s really normal for babies to fall asleep at the end of a breastfeed. Being at your breast satisfies your baby’s hunger, and it also makes them feel safe, snuggly and content. Your baby is primed for survival, and they know when they’re close, they’re safe.
It’s very normal for babies to sleep soundly in someone’s arms, and then wake as soon as they’re put down. Researching the ‘Fourth Trimester’ to better understand your baby’s expectations and needs during their first 12 weeks may be really helpful.
Don’t forget as well as being about food, breastfeeding is a massively useful mothering tool and its ok to use it to meet any of your baby’s needs any time you like.
As long as your baby is having wet and dirty nappies, is gaining weight, and breastfeeding is feeling manageable, there’s no reason to think you’re not making enough milk.
Do I need to burp my baby?
Confusingly, there isn’t one standardised protocol or guideline for how to burp a baby, and some cultures don’t burp babies at all!
There’s usually no need to spend a long time actively burping a baby, often a position change can be all they need to help expel any air.
If your baby is settled or sleeping after a breastfeed, burping them may inadvertently wake them again, so sometimes just holding them upright can be helpful. There’s no research to say this needs to be a certain amount of time, but parents and research finds that keeping babies upright in a sling or carrier between feeds can help reduce crying and help them be more settled generally.
I’m not in pain, and my baby is gaining weight well, but I’m worried my baby isn’t opening their mouth wide enough for this to be a good latch.
There are just so many images and resources out there saying a ‘good latch’ needs to look like x, y, and z. It can be really unnerving for new parents.
Ultimately, as long as feeding is feeling comfy and is working for your baby and you, then all is well!
No one has ever fed your baby with your breast, and everyone’s anatomy looks a little different, so try not to compare yourself to other people/pictures.
That said, if feeding is painful, or things aren’t going smoothly then looking at the latch can be really helpful, and often a little adjustment can really optimise things, but we really don’t need to fix what’s not broken.
Enjoy feeding your baby and hold your head high!
Hannah Croft IBCLC
Read more: Breastfeeding After a C-Section – Expert Guidance from IBCLC Hannah Croft
