Parents, especially mothers, often worry when their baby wants to feed-feed-feed at the breast in the second week. Does it mean there's no milk? Is your baby the only baby in the world doing this? Are you creating a bad habit?

Be assured that this is normal behaviour. When your baby was born, he had a very tiny stomach, which was just right for the small amounts of colostrum (the first milk) he was getting at the start. By the end of the first week and into the second week, his stomach capacity has grown - a lot. To fill up this larger stomach he needs more milk, and the way to make MORE milk is to stimulate the milk-making system by feeding very frequently.  at this age, your baby has one job to do - take lots of breastfeeds to stimulate  your breasts to make more milk. This is his WORK. Your clever little baby knows innately that if he keeps feeding his needs will be met. He doesn't have to think about this - he just does it. He is doing his JOB. Meeting his needs at this age won't create a bad habit, but will help him grow and feel satisfied.

Many mothers across Australia and across the world are also breastfeeding their new babies very frequent and some, like you, will worry whether they are doing the right thing. You are not the only one. You are doing the right thing. If in doubt, you can contact an IBCLC (lactation consultant) - see the Contact Ss page on this website or, for someone near you, visit www.lcanz.org and go to "Find a lactation consultant". Or you may want to contact the 24/7 helpline of the Australian Breastfeeding Association (see the Links page of this website).