It's a marathon, not a sprint

If you're wondering how it's humanly possible to feed your baby every 1–3 hours with no end in sight – well, it is. You're doing it right now, alongside millions of other moms around the world.

Think of your body like a 24/7 bakery. The more customers that come in, the more baked goods you make. By feeding your baby often, your body gets the message to keep producing. But if the shop keeps closing early – think: missed feeds, shorter sessions – your body quietly starts making less.

The flip side is also true: you can overproduce, which can lead to frequent engorgement and other symptoms. The goal is finding a rhythm that works for you and your baby. (And yes, after all this bakery talk, you deserve a sweet treat.)

• Your baby loses up to 7–10% of birth weight in the first few days. But don’t worry, they'll gain it back.
• If your baby falls asleep during feeds frequently, a cool cloth, skin-to-skin, or tickling their feet can help rouse them.
• Your body’s hormones are listening 24 hours a day – that’s why it’s important to keep feeding every 2-3 hours, even overnight, until your doctor says otherwise.

⚠ If your baby hasn't regained their birth weight by two weeks, or is losing more than 10% at any point, call your pediatrician. A weighted feed with your LC can show you exactly how much milk baby is transferring – which takes a lot of the guesswork out.

Being a 24/7 feeding machine is exhausting, but it's temporary. Every single feed – even the 3am ones – is doing exactly what it's supposed to do.