How Breastfeeding Changes as the Baby Grows?

You are in your last weeks of pregnancy and soon you will have a new member in your family. You are pretty excited to welcome this bundle of joy into your world. This excitement is accompanied by a responsibility towards the baby. The first intimate moments that you will share with your baby is when you feed your baby.

Breastfeeding is new for both you and your baby. It will not be easy in the beginning and you will have to learn the nuances of breast-feeding as quickly as you can. But do not worry, as time passes by, you will become good at breastfeeding.

Let us take a glance at how breastfeeding changes as your baby grows:

1. First month: In the beginning, babies have a small stomach and therefore cannot consume large quantities of milk. They take more time to have a proper latch. Although the frequency of breastfeeding is every 2 hours, but your breasts will be full most of the time.

2. Two to three months: By this time your baby has learned to latch in no time and you too have graduated to better nurse your kid. Feeding is now demand based and your kid will let you know when he/she is hungry by crying. However, this does not preclude you to check your baby for any sign of hunger.

3. Four to six months: Your baby may begin to teeth by now. He/she will be drooling, sucking fingers, or mouthing objects. All this does not mean that the baby is hungry. Your baby will let you know when the milk is required. They might bite your nipples while breastfeeding. Your baby now gets easily disturbed by any sudden change in noise or light around you, so feed your baby in isolation.

4. Seven to twelve months: Your baby is mobile and this mobility has increased his/her appetite. Most of the mothers start giving solids along with breast milk to catch up with the demand. The earlier overflowing breasts are now just able to satiate the hunger of your baby.

Your baby’s breastfeeding habit will change as he/she grows and your body will adapt automatically. Do not be anxious about the supply of milk. If your baby is not full, he/she will communicate it to you with abundant indications.