Breastfeed your baby on demand. This means feeding your baby when they show feeding cues (signs they are hungry or ready to eat). Feed your baby at least every 1 to 3 hours. Wake your baby if they are still asleep after 3 hours to feed them.
Some feeding cues are:
Opening their mouth
Lip smacking
Bringing their hands to their mouth
Fussing
Turning their head
Moving more If your baby is crying, it can be harder for them to latch.
If your baby is crying, it can be harder for them to latch. Try calming your baby before the feeding if they are having a hard time latching.
Supplement your baby with pumped milk, donor milk, or formula after each feeding. How much your baby will drink may vary, but they should drink at least:
Before 24 hours old: 2 to 10 mL (milliliters) each feeding
24 to 48 hours old: 5 to 15 mL each feeding
48 to 72 hours old: 15 to 30 mL each feeding
After 72 hours old: 30 to 60 mL each feeding
As your baby grows, they will drink about:
1 to 3 weeks old: 60 to 90 mL (2 to 3 ounces) each feeding
3 weeks and older: 90 to 150 mL (3 to 5 ounces) each feeding
Pump at least 8 to 10 sessions each day after feedings. Your lactation consultant will help you know when to stop. Pumping is needed to build and protect your milk supply.
Meet with a lactation consultant 1 to 2 weeks after you leave the hospital. You will have a feeding evaluation and a weighted feeding. A weighted feeding is seeing how much your baby weighs before and after breastfeeding. This will show how much milk your baby is drinking.
Where can I meet with a UI Health Care lactation consultant?
You can meet with a lactation consultant at these locations. To schedule a visit, call:
University Campus at 319-356-2294
In-person or video visit (by phone or a computer)
North Dodge Campus at 319-356-2294
Iowa River Landing at 319-384-7333
Downtown Campus at 319-339-3975
The contents of this website are for information purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not rely on the information provided for medical decision making and should direct all questions regarding medical matters to their physician or other health care provider. Use of this information does not create an express or implied physician-patient relationship.