"How often should I feed baby?" Good question. The simple answer is as often as baby wants. Expect baby to feed every 2-3 hours whilst you are waiting for the milk to come in. The interval may be longer in the first 24 hours or shorter- each baby is different. Each time the baby feeds it is stimulating the breast to make milk.

Prolactin is the hormone that stimulates milk production. Oxytocin (the same hormone responsible for making your uterus contract during labour) is also crucial to breast-feeding, as it is responsible for the "let down reflex". It causes the contraction of specialist cells in the breast, which shoot the milk forward to an awaiting baby!

The more baby feeds the more milk is produced because you are stimulating the release of prolactin. It will vary slightly each day. But, and here’s an old chestnut, if baby is not latched on properly and therefore not able to stimulate and empty your breasts completely, you may become engorged and it may also prevent your breasts from producing the milk in the right quantities.

Night feeds are especially important for a good milk supply. The levels of the hormone prolactin are at their highest at night and for that reason (in order to keep the levels up) the night feeds are crucial. Feeding at a time when any sane person is tucked up in bed may seem ludicrous but baby will be in "baby heaven" with the gallons of milk at her disposal.

What about extra fluids? There is no need to give extra fluids, so long as baby has free access to the breast, and can have a quick drink when she needs it. Research carried out with breastfeeding babies in hot climates found that no additional water was necessary. (Almroth, 1978. Goldberg and Adams, 1983. Sachdev, 1991.)

Has baby had enough? Generally speaking when baby has got a full tummy she will come off the breast, very sleepily. Occasionally, baby may have finished the feed but be enjoying the feeling of being close to you. If you need to, remove baby safely by gently inserting a clean, little finger into baby’s mouth between the gums and release the grip. Baby will be weighed regularly but there are other ways of seeing how well baby is doing. Check out the vivid yellow nappies! They can be very impressive! Usually on the loose side and lots of them although once your feeding is well established you may find that baby may not have a stool for a few days. This is because the baby makes efficient use of the milk with very little wastage. Baby should be having plenty of wet nappies too. When baby is awake she should be alert and looking around, maybe listening to your voice, kicking and generally enjoying life.

Babies cry a lot! It’s one of the ways they communicate. Be prepared for plenty of noise once baby arrives home. If you feel that baby is unwell, contact your midwife or GP. It is a good idea to have a thermometer in the house so that you can check baby’s temperature just in case. If baby’s temperature is raised contact your GP and remove as much clothing as possible to cool baby off.

It is probably an understatement to say that you will feel tired during the first few months. It can be quite a lonely time too. Keeping in touch with friends can prevent you from becoming dragged down by it all. Try not to ignore your partner and take up any offers of help from him and anyone else near and dear to you. Keep your diary flexible, and warn friends and family that if you are exhausted you may have to cancel.

Almroth S.G. 1978. Water requirements of breastfeeding babies in a hot climate.

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 31: 1154-1157.

Goldberg N.M. Adams E. 1983. Supplementary Water for Breastfeeding Babies in a Hot Dry Climate-Not Really Necessary. Achives of diseases in chidhood. January: 73-74.

Sachdev HPS, Krishna J, Puri EK, et al. 1991. Water Supplementation in Exclusively Breastfed Infants During Summer in the Tropics. Lancet. 337: 929-933.