I’ve Had My Baby - Now What? Breastfeeding During months 2 through 6.
Today, let’s talk about what chest/breastfeeding looks like during months 2 through 6. By now, you and your baby have gotten to know each other, and feeding is likely feeling more familiar. This stage brings exciting changes—longer stretches between feedings, more efficient nursing, and a growing baby who is becoming more interactive. But with these changes, you might also have questions about milk supply, feeding routines, or what’s normal as your baby becomes more active. Below, we’ll explore what to expect during this stage, how to adapt to your baby’s evolving needs, and when to seek support if you need it.
Originally published on June 24, 2014; Revised Feb 22, 2025
Author: Robin Kaplan, M.Ed, IBCLC, FNC
Welcome back to our series, I’ve Had My Baby - Now What?
Today, let’s talk about what chest/breastfeeding looks like during months 2 through 6. By now, you and your baby have gotten to know each other, and feeding is likely feeling more familiar. This stage brings exciting changes—longer stretches between feedings, more efficient nursing, and a growing baby who is becoming more interactive. But with these changes, you might also have questions about milk supply, feeding routines, or what’s normal as your baby becomes more active. Below, we’ll explore what to expect during this stage, how to adapt to your baby’s evolving needs, and when to seek support if you need it.
ABOUT SDBFC
The San Diego Breastfeeding Center was established in 2009 by Robin Kaplan, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Functional Nutritionist, and parent. Her vision was to create a judgment-free, inclusive support system for families navigating infant feeding challenges. SDBFC offers a wide range of one-on-one breastfeeding, infant feeding, and nutrition consultations - as well as classes, support groups, online articles, and social media - making it your one-stop-shop for all things infant feeding!
What does normal chest/breastfeeding look like in months 2-6? How often should my baby be eating, and how long should feedings take?
This can vary from baby to baby - the most important thing is that your baby is having lots of wet and dirty diapers and gaining weight appropriately. Some babies may have started taking in more at each feeding, and spacing them out more, while some may still be eating every 2-3 hours. If you’re lucky, your baby may have dropped a feeding or two at night, and may make up for it during the day. Other babies become much more distracted during daytime feedings around 4 months, so continuing those nighttime feedings are crucial for baby to get enough over a 24 hour period.
How much weight should my baby be gaining at this age? Is their weight gain expected to slow during this time?
Around 4 months, babies weight gain does start to slow down. Up until 4 months, babies should be gaining about 6-8 ounces per week. At 4 months, this drops to 4-5 oz per week, and then again at 6 months, when we expect baby to gain about 2-3oz per week. This is important for parents to know so that they don’t worry if they see their baby’s weight gain slow around 4 months of age. Make sure that your pediatrician is using the WHO charts for weight gain, which is for chest/breastfed babies.
Suddenly my baby seems too distracted to eat! Is this normal, and what can I do to get my baby to feed better?
At around 4 months of age, babies start to learn that there is a whole big world out there - and suddenly, *everything* is more exciting than chest/breastfeeding! Dogs barking, a ceiling fan, someone else in the room. Some ways to help your baby focus while nursing are:
Feed baby in a quiet and dark room
Nurse in a carrier
Let your baby play with something soft and crinkly while nursing.
Also, this is definitely NOT a time to start night weaning or sleep training, as these distracted kiddos often need those nighttime feedings to keep gaining weight appropriately. Also, it’s important to remember that this is really normal behavior - and usually fades around 6 months of age.
I’m getting ready to go back to work - how can I make sure that I’ll be able to pump what my baby needs when I’m away from him/her?
This can be a stressful time for nursing parents - there are definitely some things you can do to help protect your chest/breastfeeding relationship when you return to work.
Know your rights! Federal law protects your right to pump at work for a reasonable amount of time and in a private space.
Do some research ahead of time and talk to your human resources department - find out where the pumping area is, how close it is to your desk or workspace, what equipment you’ll need.
Talk to your caregiver about paced bottle feeding and how much milk your baby actually needs per bottle
Read up on ways to help maximize your output while you’re pumping at work.
My baby still wakes often to eat at night, even at 6 months of age - is this normal behavior?
It is absolutely normal behavior! By this stage, babies may be sleeping for longer stretches in the first part of the night, but may still wake after that to feed. By this age, a baby needs anywhere from 28-32 oz in 24 hours and if your baby is too distracted to feed well during the day, they may wake more at night to make up for it. If you hear your baby gulping during feedings at night, or your baby won’t settle without nursing, it is very likely that they still need the feedings throughout the night. If the frequent wakings are taking a toll on your mental sanity, co-sleeping and side-lying chest/breastfeeding are great ways to get some extra rest. If you are uncomfortable with co-sleeping, you can set your alarm for 15 minutes after beginning to chest/breastfeed your baby, and then wake up and place your baby back into their own bed. If your baby is waking up *very* frequently, every hour, and is very uncomfortable and difficult to soothe, it could be something else that’s causing the restlessness - possibly gut discomfort and/or a sensitivity to something in your diet. Definitely reach out to us for assistance!
My 4-month-old baby will not sleep! What’s happened to my baby that used to sleep??
The 4-month-sleep regression is a real thing and can wreak havoc on a mom’s sanity. At 4 months, babies are going through huge developmental milestones. They have suddenly become aware of all that is going on around them and their excitement about this can interrupt their sleep. It’s important to keep in mind that this is temporary stage, you will sleep again…. we promise!
My baby is approaching 6 months and I’m starting to think about solids. How will I know that my baby is ready?
It is definitely recommended to wait until your baby is at least six months of age before offering solid foods – even longer if your baby doesn’t seem ready. Some of the signs of readiness are being able to sit up on their own unassisted and losing their tongue thrust reflex, so that they don’t automatically push food out of their mouth. Another sign is when the baby has developed their “pincer grasp”, which is when they can use their fingers to pick up objects.
When I do start solids, what is an appropriate amount to start out with?
Your baby will need a very small amount at the beginning - only about a tablespoon once per day. The first food doesn’t have to be a grain cereal, either - as many doctors have previously recommended. Avocados are a perfect first food for your baby. Remember the saying “food before one is just for fun” – your baby should be getting their total nutrition from your milk (and/or formula) – so the solids you offer them now are just for practice. As the baby gets older, you can start to add in additional meals and snacks.
How can I be sure that my milk supply won’t suffer once I start feeding my baby solids?
The rule for solids is always – milk first, then food. You should always chest/breastfeed first and then offer your baby solids. You want to be sure that baby is still taking a full feeding at chest/breast to both ensure he/she is getting all the calories and nutrition he/she needs, as well as maintaining your milk supply. If you start to replace chest/breastfeeding sessions with solid meals, you most likely will notice a dip in your supply.
Struggling with your 2-6mo baby’s distracted feedings, frequent night waking, or slow weight gain? We’ve got you covered!
It can be incredibly frustrating when you're unsure if your baby is getting enough milk, especially when dealing with feeding distractions or interrupted sleep. If you're concerned about your baby’s growth, feeding patterns, or just need more confidence in your breastfeeding journey, we’re here to help. Schedule a one-on-one appointment (consider a virtual appointment, if you don’t live in San Diego!) with one of our lactation consultants for personalized care and expert advice tailored to your baby’s unique needs.
SDBFC is committed to providing high-quality lactation and functional nutrition consultations to parents in San Diego and beyond. Explore our postpartum, prenatal, and functional nutrition consultations, take a breastfeeding class or attend a workshop.
About the Author
Robin Kaplan has been an IBCLC since 2009, the same year that she opened up the San Diego Breastfeeding Center. Robin was the founding host of the Boob Group podcast and published her first book, Latch: a Handbook for Breastfeeding with Confidence at Every Stage in 2018. Melding her passions for supporting lactating parents and holistic health, Robin finished her Functional Nutrition Certification in 2023. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her two teenage boys, hiking, traveling, weaving, cooking, and searching for the best chai latte.
On-Demand vs. Scheduled Feeding: Which is Best for Baby?
When it comes to chest/breastfeeding, parents often wonder whether on-demand feeding or scheduled feeding is best. Explore the differences and find what works for you.
Originally published on Dec 9, 2014; Revised Nov 10, 2024
Author: Robin Kaplan, M.Ed, IBCLC, FNC
When it comes to chest/breastfeeding, parents often wonder whether on-demand feeding (also known as on-cue feeding) or scheduled feeding is best for their baby’s growth and well-being.
We get asked this question in our clinic all of the time! Parents hear a lot of differing information about when to feed their babies in the early weeks - every 2-3 hours, 8-12 times in a 24 hour period, etc. It can be confusing to know what this means exactly - is it every 2 hours or every 3 hours? What if the baby goes longer than 3 hours? What if the baby seems hungry before 2 hours? In this post, we’ll break down the differences between on-demand and scheduled feeding to help you decide what works best for you and your baby.
ABOUT SDBFC
The San Diego Breastfeeding Center was established in 2009 by Robin Kaplan, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Functional Nutritionist, and parent. Her vision was to create a judgment-free, inclusive support system for families navigating infant feeding challenges.
SDBFC offers a wide range of one-on-one breastfeeding, infant feeding, and nutrition consultations - as well as classes, support groups, online articles, and social media - making it your one-stop-shop for all things infant feeding!
On-Demand vs Scheduled Feedings
What’s the difference between demand feeding and scheduled feeding?
Demand feeding, or on-cue feeding, involves feeding a baby whenever they show signs of hunger, like rooting, sucking on their hands, or fussing.
Scheduled feeding means feeding a baby at set intervals, like every 3 hours, regardless of hunger cues.
What Does On-Demand Breastfeeding Look Like?
Babies regulate their own intake: Babies feed as often and as much as they need to support their growth and development. Some feedings can last 10 minutes. Others can last 45+ minutes.
Babies are fed when they show common hunger cues: For the first few months, your infant will show you they are hungry by licking their lips, sticking out their tongue, rooting around, and sucking on their hands, etc. Crying can also be a hunger cue.
Babies show signs when they’ve had enough: When a baby is done with a feeding, they may unlatch themselves and not try to relatch or fall asleep while nursing and seem content when the parent unlatches them.
Benefits of On-Demand Breastfeeding
Optimizes milk supply: In the immediate days following birth, putting a baby to chest/breast at any and all hunger cues is excellent for bringing in a robust milk supply. Mammary glands make milk in response to the frequency of suckling. The more a baby nurses, the more milk a parent produces. If a baby suckles less frequently, milk production slows. Frequent feedings during growth spurts also boosts milk production.
Ensures proper infant growth: Parents have different storage capacities in their chest/breasts and all babies take in different amounts - even the same baby will take differing amounts throughout a day. On-demand feeding optimizes the baby’s ability to take in the amount of milk they need within a 24 hour period, rather than the same amount every feeding session.
Bonding opportunities galore: Feeding on demand allows for more skin-to-skin contact and closeness between parent and baby, as infants tend to settle more easily when held. Plus, infants smell delicious, which helps parents release oxytocin (aka the love hormone!)
What Does Scheduled Breastfeeding Look Like?
Fixed feeding intervals: In scheduled breastfeeding, parents feed their baby at set intervals, such as every 3 hours, regardless of whether the baby shows hunger cues.
Limited feeding duration: Some parents may set specific feeding times, like feeding for 15 minutes on each side.
Structured daily routines: Scheduled feeding often fits into a structured daily routine, like feeding before naps or bedtime to establish predictable eating and sleeping patterns.
Benefits of Scheduled Breastfeeding
Sleepy newborns don’t always wake for feeding sessions: Some infants are very tired for the first few weeks and may not wake up on their own to feed 8+ times in 24 hours. To help babies get back to birth weight by 2 weeks old, we recommend that parents wake their infants to feed at least every 3 hours during the day and at least every 4 hours at night for the first few weeks. If your baby wants to feed more frequently, go for it!
Helps manage triple feeding: Triple feedings is when a parent is chest/breastfeeding, supplementing, and pumping. This is most common for babies born prematurely, babies with jaundice, babies with tongue ties, and babies who are having a difficult time gaining weight. Ineffective and infrequent feedings can cause slow weight gain and can possibly cause a low milk supply. Temporarily putting a baby on a feeding schedule can ensure that they are getting enough in a 24 hour period.
What If I’m Feeling Exhausted From On-Demand Breastfeeding?
Help your baby feed as effectively as possible: If your baby is feeding frequently, due to ‘snacking’, try to help your baby take in more milk at each feeding. Keep your baby alert while breastfeeding by stripping them down to just a diaper, using breast compressions to help your baby get a let down more easily, or switching back and forth between breasts (switch nursing) when your baby’s swallows start to slow down. Also, if using a nipple shield, see if removing it helps your baby take in more milk per feeding.
Prioritize rest when possible: Try to nap or rest whenever your baby sleeps, even if it’s just for short periods. Sleep is essential, especially during the early weeks when feedings are frequent.
Share the load: Ask for help from your partner, family, or friends. They can assist with diaper changes, burping, or soothing your baby after a feed, allowing you more time to rest and recover.
Remember that this feeding frequency is temporary: In the early months, babies feed frequently to build up milk supply and ensure proper growth. As your baby gets older, feedings will naturally space out, and you’ll have more flexibility and rest as a result.
So, how do I choose between on-demand feeding and scheduled feedings?
Honestly, it all comes down to what feels best for you and your family. Remember you can always do a combination of on-demand and scheduled feedings. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing.
What should I do if my baby wants to breastfeed constantly? This is a great time to meet with a lactation consultant and we are just a consult away!
If your baby wants to breastfeed constantly(i.e. snacking at feeding sessions), and it is not a temporary growth spurt, this is a great reason to meet with a lactation consultant! Let us help you figure out the root cause and an effective solution. Book a one-on-one appointment with one of our lactation consultants today for personalized support tailored to you and your baby’s needs.
SDBFC is committed to providing high-quality lactation and functional nutrition consultations to parents in San Diego and beyond. Explore our postpartum, prenatal, and functional nutrition consultations, take a breastfeeding class or attend a workshop.
About the Author
Robin Kaplan has been an IBCLC since 2009, the same year that she opened up the San Diego Breastfeeding Center. Robin was the founding host of the Boob Group podcast and published her first book, Latch: a Handbook for Breastfeeding with Confidence at Every Stage in 2018. Melding her passions for supporting lactating parents and holistic health, Robin finished her Functional Nutrition Certification in 2023. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her two teenage boys, hiking, traveling, weaving, cooking, and searching for the best chai latte.
