Here are the main things to remember about feeding baby while in the hospital:

*Latching a kind of hungry baby is easier than latching a VERY hungry baby, so get them skin to skin on your chest early if you can.

*Feed 10-12 times every 24 hours

*Some babies will tell you when they want to eat. Some babies will be sleepier and need encouragement. Feed them any time they “ask”. If they haven’t asked by the 2.5 hour mark during the day and the 4 hour mark over night, go ahead and encourage.

*Offer both breasts each time, baby may only want one thogh

*A very standard rule of thumb is to feed for 10 minutes on one side than switch but you don’t have to follow this. You can also feed on one side until baby seems to have lost interest, then switch.

*A full feed could be anywhere from 10 minutes to 30 minutes.