And does it take longer for you?
Who has not heard this question? It seems that there is a belief that as the baby reaches age, it should be taking fewer feeds. But this is not entirely true, breastfeeding should be on demand.
It may be that after the first few weeks, some babies develop a feeding pattern. This possible pattern will never be rigid, but will be more or less flexible. But the usual thing is that the shots are usually quite anarchic and more during the first months.
Scheduling or limiting feedings can compromise the duration of breastfeeding in addition to having negative effects on the baby's attachment relationship with his mother..
Official recommendations, based on scientific evidence, recommend that breastfeeding be on demand. In this way, we make sure that the baby takes in the amount of milk he needs. In addition, it should not be forgotten that the breast is more than food. It is contact, comfort, security… so it is the baby who knows when he needs to breastfeed to get that contact with his mother.
According to Clinical Practice Guideline on breastfeeding of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics, breastfeeding should be on demand for all healthy infants, during the day and also at night.
Milk production can be affected if we limit feedings. It is the baby's suction that stimulates the breast to produce the necessary amount of milk. The less suction there is, the less stimulation and therefore, the less milk production.
One could also speak of lactation crises characterized by an increase in the demand for feedings from the baby. In this way, by breastfeeding more frequently, the volume of breast milk increases, thus being able to satisfy the baby's need in these growth spurts.
Let us also remember that according to attachment theory, the quality of the bond depends on the mother's response to the baby's needs. The link can be insecure or secure. From a health perspective, it is interesting to promote the creation and establishment of a secure bond because it is the healthiest. So if the baby needs to breastfeed, the mother should breastfeed as soon as possible. Refusing to do so will have a negative impact on the quality of the emotional bond.