Responsive breastfeeding - responding to the child's needs

Feed your baby whenever he/she shows signs of hunger, don't wait for him/her to start crying inconsolably. Follow the signals your baby sends you and let him/her suckle whenever he/she wants, without limiting the number or length of breastfeeds. This will satisfy the child's needs, whether it is hunger or thirst.

When you breastfeed your baby responsively, rather than according to a set schedule, lactation is established faster and more milk is produced. The risk of neonatal jaundice, breast engorgement and mastitis is reduced. This approach ensures successful breastfeeding: breastfeed your baby without supplementation for the first six months and continue after the introduction of other foods, at least until the end of the first year.

Signals the baby sends when hungry:

He/she begins to fidget, opens his/her mouth, turns his/her head from side to side as if looking for something; this is the baby's way of telling you “I am hungry, feed me”.

This is followed by stretching, more intense movements, putting the hand in the mouth; the message is "I'm really hungry now".

Don’t wait for the baby to start crying inconsolably; the message is "Calm me down, then let me suckle".

What is "normal" newborn behavior?

There is no simple answer to this question, because every child is different. While rooming in together from birth, with the help and support from the staff, you will get to know your baby, learn to interpret his/her signals and respond to them.

  • A newborn wants to suckle approximately every one to three hours in the first seven days, but it can be more frequent.
  • Sometimes the child often asks to suckle (cluster breastfeeding) for several hours, which the mother may interpret as not having enough milk or having another problem.
  • When milk comes in, it is usual to have 8-12 breastfeeds in 24 hours.
  • The interval between some breastfeeds can be longer.
  • Breastfeeding at night is important, especially in the beginning, to ensure sufficient stimulation for milk production.

Someone may tell you that frequent breastfeeding can cause nipple fissures. Painful and damaged nipples are the result of poor latching on the breast, not too frequent or too long breastfeeds. If the baby latches on the breast well, there will be no difficulties if he/she suckles for a long time or often.

It is not always possible to let the child decide when and how much to suckle

  • When breastfeeds are very long (most breastfeeds last longer than 40 minutes), or very short (most breastfeeds last shorter than 10 minutes), or very frequent (more than 12 breastfeeds in 24 hours), check whether the baby latches on the breast properly, whether there is major weight loss or any health problem.
  • If the baby is drowsy or weak due to preterm birth, low weight or jaundice, it is sometimes necessary to encourage him/her to suckle or feed him/her expressed breastmilk from a cup, until he/she is stronger.
  • If your breasts are engorged and painful, wake up the newborn to suckle more often, and thus help both him/herself and you.

How to wake up a sleeping baby to suckle?

  • Uncover and unwrap the child to allow him/her to move his arms and legs freely;
  • Breastfeed your baby in an upright or semi-sitting position, not lying down;
  • Gently massage the child and talk to him/her;
  • If the child is still sleepy, wait for half an hour and try again;
  • Avoid painful interventions such as pinching the cheeks or tapping the child's feet.