Baby Nursing All The Time?
Sometimes mamas only need to adjust their expectations when dealing with a so-called problem. Take, for example, the “issue” of frequent nursing.
In the early weeks (or months) of breastfeeding, expect your baby to be nursing a lot. Frequent nursing, especially during six to eight weeks after birth, is completely normal and beneficial. Newborns need to nurse between eight to 12 times a day in order for moms to establish their milk supply and avoid engorgement, and for babies to bond with mom and be nourished. After all, newborns are expected to double their weight by their fifth or sixth month.
Expect your baby nursing all the time during the early weeks and also during growth spurts (this serves to send the message to your body to make more milk). As long as your latch is OK and your baby is generally happy and has a good amount of dirty diapers, there’s no need to worry. This phase of your baby’s life will pass. When your baby is older he will get better at extracting milk from your breast in a more efficient manner.
In the meantime, make a nursing nook so you have access to drinks, a good book, a cordless or cell phone, maybe a laptop and anything else you need to get through the day. You can also try breastfeeding in a sling so you can attend to other tasks. A ring sling like the Maya makes it easy to nurse hands free.
