Breastfeeding - For Newborn babies

(Content revised 02/2026)

Breastfeeding

According to the World Health Organization's (WHO's) recommendation, babies should be breastfed exclusively in the first six months and continue to have breastmilk together with solid food in their diet until two years old or above.

The Benefits of Breastfeeding

  • Breastmilk provides optimal nutrition and bioactive factors, such as antibodies and live immune cells, perfectly suited to the baby's needs:
    • supports healthy growth and development
    • aids digestion and nutrient absorption
    • strengthens immunity in the first two to three years of life
  • Enhances the bonding between mother and baby, promotes the baby's sense of security and brain development
  • Reduces the mother's risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes and hypertension
  • Convenient, time-saving, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly

Tips of Success

Frequent and effective breastfeeding helps increase milk supply.

  • Rooming in
    • Let your baby sleep in a cot by your bed, so you can observe his needs easily and respond readily
  • Responsive feeding
    • Offer your breast to comfort and care for your baby, while also meeting your own needs
  • Family support
    • Research shows that mothers who receive support from their partner and family have significantly greater confidence in continuing to breastfeed
  • Start early
    • Become familiar with breastfeeding as early as possible. If you encounter difficulties, seek help promptly

Start feeding when the baby gives early hunger cues

  • First day: at least 3-4 times
  • 2nd day onwards: usually need at least 8 times per day

Every baby has their own feeding pattern. Some of them may need to be fed more frequently at certain time of the day. Therefore, feed them according to their needs.

How do you know your baby is getting enough milk?

  1. Contented after feeds
  2. Adequate wet nappies and sufficient stools
    • Wet nappies:
      • Day 1 and 2: At least 1-2 per day
      • Day 3 and 4: At least 3-4 per day (Rather heavy)
      • Day 5 onwards: At least 5-6 per day (Heavy)

      (Heavy nappy = around 3 tablespoons or 45ml of water in a dry nappy)

    • Soiled nappies:
      • Day 1 and 2: At least 1 per day. Dark green
      • Day 3 and 4: At least 2 per day. Dark brown
      • Day 5 onwards: At least 2 per day. Yellow, green or brown
  3. Gaining weight
    • It is normal for your baby to lose a bit of weight in the first few days after birth
    • By the first to second week, your baby will regain the birth weight and then put on weight steadily

Consistently waking! Keep crying! Still hungry?

Newborns have short sleep cycles and wake easily. And, they naturally cry to express all their needs and feelings. It's common for parents to lose confidence at this stage! If you're worried about whether your baby is still hungry, first check for hunger cues. If there are none, adjust the baby's physical needs or the environment. You can also try speaking to your baby gently or using skin-to-skin contact to soothe and calm a crying baby.

Common Breastfeeding Concerns

1. My baby's feeding so little & so often. Do I have enough breastmilk? Should I give formula top-ups?

No - "Small frequent" feeding does NOT mean your milk is insufficient. It is because:

  • The newborn's stomach is tiny, with the size of at birth
  • It helps boost your milk supply in the calibration period after milk "comes in"
  • This provides the nutrition needed for rapid growth of your baby

Simply observe carefully to confirm if your baby is getting enough (see "How do you know your baby is getting enough milk?"). Keep feeding whenever your baby shows feeding cues. If your baby is still learning to latch and isn't getting enough yet, keep practising your breastfeeding skills while expressing milk to top up as needed. Avoid unnecessary supplement with formula milk or water, as it can increase the infection risk, and decrease the baby's interest in breastfeeding – which will lower your milk supply. On the other hand, you can seize the opportunity to connect with your baby. Staying close helps build your baby's sense of security and supports brain development.

2. I'm so tired after feeding my baby round the clock for 10+ times day and night. Shall I quit?

Kudos to you who diligently strive to meet your baby's needs! Although the process is tiring, many mothers believe that the effort is worthwhile, as the goal of their baby's healthy growth motivates them to persevere! "Small frequent" feeding is a normal physiological reaction in newborn (see "Common Breastfeeding Concerns (1)") – whether breastfed or formula-fed. It's a natural phase! As the baby grows and gets better at suckling, feeds become more regular and less frequent over time.

Here are some practical ways to help:

  • Use a comfy feeding position, like side-lying
  • Room-in: keep your baby in the same room for convenience
  • Keep breastfeeding day and night - the hormones help you sleep better
  • Rest whenever you can; nap whenever your baby naps
  • Cut down on visitors and ask family to help with chores, etc.

3. My milk comes in and my breasts become heavy, hard, tight and painfully engorging – what could I do?

Around day 2–3 after your baby's arrival, your milk "comes in" and supply increases a lot. Some mums may find their breasts become overly full and painful. The engorged breasts make milk flow difficult, and sometimes flatten the nipples making it harder to latch on. If feeds are infrequent &/or baby's attachment is not ideal, engorgement gets worse.

Best prevention: Start breastfeeding as early and as often as possible.

Tips to ease breast engorgement:

  • Take pain relief regularly e.g. paracetamol is safe for breastfeeding mothers
  • Apply cold pads, towels or wrapped ice packs to relieve pain and reduce swelling
  • Avoid tight or wired bras, as they exert pressure and exacerbate swelling
  • Try different feeding positions to ensure the baby attaches & suckles well
  • Perform the "Prelude" before breastfeeding or expressing to stimulate the let-down reflex
  • Before feeding, hand express a small amount of milk to soften the areola, making it easier for the baby to latch properly

If the condition doesn't improve or you're worried, please check with your Maternal & Child Health Centre or other health care professionals.

Prelude to breastfeeding / expression

You may do the following to strengthen the let-down reflex and promote a smooth milk flow:

  • Skin-to-skin contact with your baby's bare chest touching yours
  • Gentle breast massage
  • Warm compress on the breasts (apply less than 3 minutes)
  • Relax yourself by listening to music, taking a warm shower, thinking of your baby, looking at his photos or videos
  • Back massage by your partner or a family member

You should arrange an early appointment with a nearby Maternal and Child Health Centre to follow up baby's feeding and body weight after birth.

Please seek advice from the following for breastfeeding problems:

  • Family Health Service, Department of Health
    Maternal and Child Health Centre nearby / Breastfeeding Hotline 3618 7450
  • Hotline services provided by public hospitals
    For newborn born in that hospital only. Please refer to the hospital for details
  • Your paediatricians / obstetricians / family doctors

For more information about breastfeeding, please visit Family Health Service website www.fhs.gov.hk for the booklet "Love Starts from Breastfeeding...".

Breastfeeding Community Support and Resources

Every breastfeeding journey has its ups and downs. You're not alone. Help and encouragement are right here for you!