You’ve likely already heard about feeding on demand, a practice recommended by the Ministry of Health due to the many benefits it offers for both mother and baby.

What Is Feeding on Demand?

Feeding on demand means breastfeeding the baby whenever they want day or night. The baby is free to nurse as much as they wish, respecting their own rhythm and the amount of milk available in each breast.

Recognizing Baby’s Hunger Cues

To understand when your baby is hungry, it’s essential to observe their signals. Restlessness, alert or curious looks, opening the mouth in search of sucking, and hand movements are clear signs of hunger.

The mother also plays a crucial role by responding to these cues, especially during the night, helping to prevent discomfort such as breast engorgement.

Benefits of Feeding on Demand

Breastfeeding on demand supports milk production by regularly emptying the breasts, reducing the risk of mastitis and breast engorgement.

Beyond the benefits for the mother, babies experience greater satiety, calmness, and more peaceful sleep, while fully benefiting from the nutritional properties of breast milk.

Debunking Common Myths

Despite scientific recommendations, some myths still persist among mothers and even health professionals:

• Breastfeeding only during the day to avoid night feedings is not feeding on demand.

• Waking the baby every three hours to nurse does not follow feeding-on-demand principles.

• Introducing solid foods is not a reason to stop feeding on demand.

• Offering a bottle of formula before bedtime does not promote feeding on demand.

• The belief that breast milk is “weak” because of frequent feedings does not reflect the reality of feeding on demand.

Do you and your baby practice feeding on demand? Share your experience with us and help debunk these myths, promoting a clearer and more informed understanding of feeding on demand.