Cue Feeding ~ Breastfeeding On Demand

Cue feeding…also known as “breastfeeding on demand” or “baby led feeding” is when mom allows baby to have breast on request!

This is when mom doesn’t set a fixed time or feeding schedule for breastfeeding and let’s baby breastfeed whenever he wants to and for as long as he wants.

Why breastfeed on demand?

- You can keep your milk supply up since breastfeeding works with supply and demand. The more baby suckles the more milk you will produce.

- Frequent nursing increases the quality fat content in your milk. (less colic, vomiting and diarrhea)

- Cue feeding can help baby reach a good weight quickly.

- It alleviates and prevents engorgement

- Baby-led breastfeeding is recommended by the WHO (world health org.) and LLL (la leche league)

- Demand feeding also promotes further bonding between mom and baby.

- Breastfeeding has been found to decrease stress in mom and baby, so the more you breastfeed the less stressful you will both be.

- Breastfeeding often will help baby get rid of jaundice quicker

- Babies who breastfeed on request have been found to take longer and more frequent naps

- These babies have also been found to have fewer digestive problems.

How often will I need to feed then?

It depends on baby, sometimes every hour…other times baby might only need to breastfeed every two hours. Breast milk is digested very quickly and in the beginning baby has a very small tummy that can’t hold much milk.

Some babies feed through the night others don’t…but as time goes by baby begins to learn how to remove more milk from the breast at feedings and will fill up more…therefore going longer before the next feed.

Remember you cannot spoil your child by comforting them... read more on comfort feeding here

Coping with feeding on demand

- Remember that it improves (frequency of feeds become less) within the first month.

- Try not to keep to a strict schedule in the first few weeks…rather sleep when baby sleeps. This will make it easier to continue with baby led feeding

- Co sleeping can help with convenience and decrease the time spent on each feeding. This will also keep baby from waking completely…which would keep you up longer.

- Breastfeeding baby in a sling ~ “ baby wearing ” This way baby has easy access to moms breasts all day long.

- Find support ~ Get breastfeeding advice from an experienced friend or relative.

- Stay at home with baby for as long as you can. Cue feeding can be almost impossible when you start to work again.

- Breastfeed in public if you have to…there are ways of doing it discreetly if you are worried about this.

- Dealing with criticism ~ Some people may not understand why you would need to breastfeed baby as often as you do. Just let them know what you now know…give them the facts.

Other tips and advice on Cue feeding

- When baby cries offer him the breast, if he doesn’t seem interested you can look for other reasons why he might be crying.

- Baby feeding cues that might mean baby is hungry: crying, sucking his hands, smacking his lips and rooting for the breast.

- Let baby breastfeed for as long as he wants to on one breast then offer the other one.

- Never force baby to breastfeed. Read more on how to know when your breastfed baby is hungry.

- During growth spurt periods baby might breastfeed more often than usual.

- If baby is not breastfeeding at least every three hours mom will need to wake baby for extra feedings.

- How to know when he is full ~ Baby will let you know when he is full by pulling away from your breast, or he will just stop sucking.

- Extreme demand feeding ~ If your baby is drinking a lot and seems to be spitting up all the time too…you should find out if he is not suffering from acid reflux.

Other pages on “breastfeeding problems” in connection with Cue feeding

-  Overfeeding a breastfed baby

-  First time breastfeeding moms

-  Using a pacifier and breastfeeding

-  Working and breastfeeding

-  Breastfeeding routine

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