As Your Child Grows

You may experience changes in how often and long your child breastfeeds. Your breast milk will change based on your growing child’s needs.

Having your baby breastfeed well and often in the first week will help you build a healthy breast milk supply. Breastfeed your baby at least eight times in 24 hours (day and night).

 

During the early days after birth, some babies and mothers need time to learn to breastfeed. The following information can support you with breastfeeding.

Your Breast Milk

In the first few days you will produce breast milk (colostrum) that is thick like honey and yellow in colour. This breast milk is very high in calories and you may produce a very small amount (but it is all your baby needs).

As you continue to breastfeed over the next few days, your breast milk will become more white in colour, increase in amount and meet all your baby’s nutritional needs.

Note: Having your baby breastfeed well and often in the first six weeks will help you to build a healthy breast milk supply. Contact us if you have concerns about your breast milk supply.

Signs of Hunger

Babies will let you know when they are hungry; the following are signs that your baby is hungry and needs to breastfeed. Your baby:

  • Makes sucking or soft sounds
  • Puts their hands in her mouth
  • Is making more body movements
  • Makes sucking or licking movements with their mouth

Breastfeed your baby when baby is calm and before baby is too hungry and crying.

Video: Baby’s Feeding Cues and Behaviours (02:16). Reproduced by permission of Healthy Families BC

Growth Spurts (More Frequent Feeds)

Growth spurts are the times your baby grows more quickly and will need more breast milk. These spurts occur frequently in the first few weeks. Breastfeeding patterns change as your baby grows. In the first six weeks, your baby will need to breastfeed often.

  • Breastfeed your baby when they show signs of hunger.
  • There are no set times to breastfeed your baby. Most babies will breastfeed at least eight times in 24 hours (day and night).
  • Your breast milk supply will increase to meet your baby’s needs.

Note: If your baby is not waking up for feeds and/or not breastfeeding well, visit your doctor or one of our Breastfeeding Clinics for support.

Vitamin D

Health Canada recommends giving all healthy breastfed babies a daily Vitamin D supplement (10 µg or 400IU), starting from birth to two years of age.

Baby’s First Check Up

Your baby should be seen by a pediatrician/family doctor within seven days after leaving the hospital. A postpartum appointment with your birth provider (e.g. obstetrician or midwife) within six weeks from giving birth is also recommended.

As your baby grows, you may experience changes in the frequency and length of your baby’s breastfeeding patterns. Your breast milk will change based on your growing baby’s needs.

 

The following information may be helpful during these breastfeeding months.

Length of Feeding

An older child takes breast milk faster than a newborn. Continue to listen for swallows and look for signs that your baby is breastfeeding well.

Growth Spurts (More Frequent Feeds)

Growth spurts are the times your child grows more quickly and will need more breast milk. These spurts occur frequently in the first few months. During these times breastfeed more often when your baby seems hungry. Your breast milk supply will increase.

Weight Gain

Your baby’s weight gain changes over time. Your baby should gain at least 20-35 grams (2/3-1 1/4 oz) a day in the first three to four months of age. After four months your baby will gain weight at a slower rate. If you have concerns about your baby’s weight gain, please talk to your health care provider.

Breast Changes

Your breasts may feel softer as you continue breastfeeding. You will still make enough breast milk.

Daily Activities

As you continue to adjust to your life with your new baby, you might find yourself also increasing your daily activities and/or routines. If you plan to be away from your baby, you may wish to express your breast milk. Your baby’s caregiver can give your expressed breast milk by feeding your baby with a bottle.

You have given your baby the best possible start by breastfeeding for the first six months. You may want to continue to breastfeed your child for two years or longer. There is no right time to stop. You may get pressure from family and friends to stop breastfeeding, but family and friends can also make breastfeeding a success. It may also help to speak with a Public Health Nurse and other breastfeeding mothers.

Breastfeed Your Older Baby or Child

  • Breast milk changes as your child grows to meet your child’s changing nutritional needs.
  • Breastfeeding is more than food; it’s also about your relationship with your child.
  • When your child is sick, breastfeeding can provide comfort and is a very important source of fluid and food.
  • Breast milk is easy to digest. It may be all your child wants.
  • Breast milk protects your child against infection. It strengthens your child’s immunity.

Development Changes

Teething

It is okay to breastfeed even when your child is getting teeth.

  • Your child’s gums may be sore. Offer your child a cold, clean cloth or teething ring to chew on before breastfeeding.
  • If your child bites, stay calm. Say “No” and take the child off the breast.
  • Your child may bite near the end of her breastfeeding. Watch for sucking changes at the end of the breastfeeding as your child will have fewer swallows. To end the breastfeeding, pull your child close and she will open her mouth and pull off easily.

Curiosity

An older baby becomes more interested in the world around them and can get distracted easily. A quiet place with less distractions may keep their attention on breastfeeding.
Introducing solids

Extra iron is needed at 6 months; it is time to add solid foods. For more information, see Best Start’s Feeding Your Baby: From six months to one year.

Nursing strikes

Sometimes a child who has been breastfeeding well suddenly refuses to breastfeed. This is not the same as natural weaning.

To help your child to return to the breast:

  • Talk gently to her and give her more eye-to-eye.
  • Breastfeed your child in a quiet, familiar place.
  • Breastfeed your child when she is relaxed and not completely awake.
  • Relax. Be patient. Children usually start to breastfeed again in a few days.

If your breasts are getting too full, you can express some breast milk for comfort. You can offer some expressed breast milk from a cup.

Changes in Your Life

Returning to work or school

Balancing family and work or school will require some planning.

  • Discuss your plans with your employer. The Ontario Human Rights Commission states that employers are required to accommodate women who are breastfeeding
  • Breastfeed your child before you leave and when you come home
  • You may want to express breast milk
  • Choose a caregiver who shares your beliefs about breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding when you are pregnant

You can breastfeed when you are pregnant.

  • Your nipples may feel more tender.
  • You may make less breast milk.
  • Your breast milk may have a different taste.
  • Most children happily continue to breastfeed.

Remember to:

  • Eat a variety of foods.
  • Drink when you are thirsty.

Breastfeeding more than one child (tandem breastfeeding)

You can breastfeed an older child and a new baby, either together or at different times.