Common Questions About Breastfeeding

If you choose to breastfeed or are still just considering it, you might have a lot of questions! Here are answers to some of the most common breastfeeding questions we hear.

When and How Much Should a Baby Breastfeed?

Newborns digest breast milk quickly and need to feed often—usually eight to 10 times a day (sometimes more). This is normal and helps your body make the right amount of milk.

Feed on demand: Offer the breast whenever your baby shows signs of hunger. This may be every hour, every two to three hours, or sometimes longer. Following your baby’s signs and feed them as often as they want.
How long to feed: Newborns may nurse 10–30 minutes each time. Don’t watch the clock. Watch your baby’s signals to know when they are full. In their second week, babies usually feed less often.

Feeding Cues

Your baby will give you signs that they're hungry, like:

Rooting (turning head side to side with mouth open)
Smacking lips or sucking on fingers
Sticking out tongue
Waking from sleep
Crying is a late hunger cue. If a baby is upset, it is hard to feed. Calm them with skin-to-skin, rocking, or a few drops of expressed milk before trying again.

Fullness Cues

Your baby will also give you signs if they're done eating, including:

Starting to fall asleep after sucking strongly
Body looks loose and relaxed
Less swallowing
Letting go of the breast

How Can I Make Enough Milk?

During pregnancy, you can get ready for breastfeeding with hand expression.

Key Tips for the First Hours and Days

Colostrum is normal. In the first days you make small drops of thick “first milk.”
Feed often. Breastfeed at least eight 12 times each day (sometimes more).
If baby can’t latch, hand express eight to 10 times a day. This is especially important if you had a C-section or problems like gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, or hemorrhage.
Hold baby skin to skin. Place your baby’s bare chest and cheek on your bare chest.
- The first hour matters. Keep baby skin to skin for at least 60 minutes after birth.
Avoid formula unless your baby’s doctor recommends it.
Consider donor milk if your baby needs extra milk.

When Will My Milk Come In?

Your milk “coming in” means the small amounts of yellow colostrum turn to larger amounts of white milk. This happens around two to four days after you give birth.

Your breasts may feel very full, bigger, hard, or painful. This is called engorgement.

What If I Am Engorged?

Massage gently. Lightly stroke from nipple toward armpit or chest to help reduce swelling.
Use cold packs or ice on your breasts for a few minutes.
Hand express a little milk to soften the nipple area so baby can latch more easily.
Take the pain medicine your healthcare provider gave you.

Engorgement usually gets better after a couple of days.

Should I Take Foods, Teas, and Supplements to Make More Milk?

Some people try foods, teas, or supplements to make more milk. These may help a little, but only if you also breastfeed or express milk every two to three hours.

Is My Baby Getting Enough Milk?

Many people worry about this, but most babies get enough milk from you.

Your new baby’s stomach is only the size of a grape. They are meant to eat very small amounts at first.
Babies eat often in the first days.
Breastfeed often and use hand expression. Both help your body make more milk.

Your baby is getting enough milk if they are:

Peeing and pooping
Sucking and swallowing regularly

A medical team checks your baby every day while they're in the hospital. If extra milk is needed, they will make a plan with you. Options may include:

Your expressed breastmilk
Donor milk
Colostrum you expressed before birth
Formula

Can I Breastfeed My Baby Too Much?

No! Babies know how much milk they need.

They eat when they’re hungry and stop when they’re full.
Sometimes, even when they’re done eating, they stay latched and suck gently for comfort. This "comfort sucking" is normal and helps with bonding and milk supply.
Some babies breastfeed more often during certain times of day or during growth spurts. This is called "cluster feeding," and it’s a normal part of a baby’s growth.

What About My Diet and Breastfeeding?

When you’re breastfeeding:

Drink plenty of water.
Eat a healthy diet with vegetables, whole grains, and proteins.
You need about 500 calories more than when you were pregnant. That is an extra meal and a snack!
Most foods do not affect your breastmilk or baby.
No foods need to be avoided.

What About Birth Control and Medications While Breastfeeding?

Most medicines are safe to take while breastfeeding. Many medicines don’t even pass into breast milk or only pass in tiny amounts. However, some birth control options may lower your milk supply—especially if started soon after birth. Always talk with your provider about your options.

Talk to your healthcare provider about any medications you take. You can also check this website for information: MotherToBaby Fact Sheets

Can I Breastfeed and Drink Alcohol?

Having one drink or less per day usually does not pass into breast milk in amounts that harm the baby. Drinking two or more drinks daily may lower your milk supply and affect your baby’s growth.

Can I Breastfeed and Smoke?

Quitting or cutting down on smoking is best for you and your baby. If you can’t quit, breastfeeding is still healthier for your baby than not breastfeeding.

Smoking can lower milk supply in some people. To reduce risks:

Avoid smoking right before feeding.
Never smoke near your baby.
Change clothes and wash your hands after smoking before holding your baby.
Don’t let others smoke around your baby.

Do you or your family members need help quitting smoking? Try these resources:

1.800.QUITNOW or CLICK
BMC Smoking Cessation Program: 617.414.4847
Substance Use and Pregnancy Helpline: 617.414.4165
If you’re 12-17 years old, text “Start My Quit” to 36072, call 1.855.891.9989, or visit mylifemyquit.com to take the first step

What About Bottles?

Try not to use bottles in the first week.

If your baby needs extra milk, you can use a cup or syringe instead.
Some babies prefer bottle nipples and will stop latching to the breast.
Babies fed with bottles may drink more than they need, which can cause weight or health problems.

Only give formula in the first week if your doctor says it’s needed. If your baby drinks formula, they may breastfeed less, and your body may make less milk.

What About Breastfeeding in Public?

Some people feel worried about breastfeeding in public. Here’s what to know:

Massachusetts law protects you. You can feed your baby anywhere, like restaurants or stores.
Breasts make milk for babies. They are not for others to judge.
The most important thing is that you feel comfortable.

Tips for Privacy

If you want privacy, here are some tips:

Use a scarf or blanket to cover while nursing.
If you are at someone’s house, ask for a private space to feed.
Bring a bottle of pumped milk when going out.
Ask if there is a lactation room. Many places have a private, comfortable space for feeding or pumping.

How Do I Burp My Baby?

Try to burp your baby after each feeding.

Breastfed babies usually swallow less air than bottle-fed babies, so they may not always burp. If you try for about one minute and no burp comes up, it’s okay to stop if your baby seems comfortable.

Ways to Burp Your Baby

Over the shoulder: Hold baby upright against your shoulder.
Across your lap: Lay baby belly down across your lap.
Sitting on your lap: Sit baby upright with their chin supported.

Tips for Burping

Gentle pressure on the belly helps bring up air.
Pat or rub baby’s back upward.
Try rotational burping: Gently move baby’s torso in a small circle while they sit on your lap.
Watch this short video for more ideas: Creative Burping Methods