The very first feeding should occur as soon after birth as possible, when the baby is alert, awake, and ready to suck.  At the University of Michigan Women's Hospital, every effort is made to allow you to nurse within the first hour of delivery. 

Early breast-feeding can help prevent breast engorgement – an uncomfortable, full feeling in the breast, caused by swollen lymph nodes, extra blood, and excess milk.  In addition to beginning the cycle of milk supply and demand, early breastfeeeding allows your baby to receive the benefits of colostrum.  Colostrum is the first milk secreted after the baby's birth, and is your baby's perfect starter food -- rich in nutrients and antibodies. 

For about the first 24 hours, newborns should nurse for at least 5 minutes on each breast at each feeding. This should be gradually increased until the baby nurses for 15 minutes or longer on each breast. Although most of the milk is taken in the first 5-10 minutes, the baby may wish to suck longer at times. Each baby is different and will set his or her own pattern. Remember to watch your baby, not just the clock!  Some babies wish to nurse only every 4 hours. Others nurse as often as every 1 to 1.5 hours, especially in the first few weeks after birth. If you are worried that your baby is not getting enough milk, check with the baby's health care provider. He or she will be keeping track of the baby's growth and weight gain. You can usually tell if the baby is getting enough milk if he or she wets at least six diapers and has one bowel movement every 24 hours. 

Once they get started, mothers often find that it is easier to just breast-feed. Frequent changes from breast-feeding to bottle feeding can confuse the baby. It's easier for the baby to draw milk from a rubber nipple than from the breast. Also, a mother's milk supply decreases if she does not breast-feed often. Waiting 2-3 weeks to bottle-feed gives the mother time to establish a good milk supply. However, an occasional feeding with expressed milk or formula can be given. 

Once nursing has been established (in about 4-6 weeks), you may want to refer to a lactation specialist or a book on breast-feeding to help you find the best feeding schedule for you and your baby.  Some examples of feeding schedules are listed below. One of these may be right for you: 

Many mothers continue to nurse their babies even after returning to work or school. Some just breast-feed a few times a day. They use formula for the baby's other feedings. Other women collect milk from their breasts before going to school or work. They leave the milk with the baby's caregiver while they are away.  Women often can pump breast milk at work, too. 

A mother's milk can be left in the refrigerator, in sterile glass or plastic containers, for up to 72 hours. If it needs to be stored longer, it can be kept in the back of a regular freezer for up to 6 months or in a deep freezer for up to 12 months. Frozen milk should be thawed quickly under running water, or gradually in the refrigerator. It should not be left out at room temperature for a long time, exposed to very hot water, or put in the microwave.  Once milk has been thawed, it can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.  Never re-freeze thawed breast milk. 

Health care providers may recommend that you breast-feed the baby until solid foods are added little by little, usually around 6 months. You may wish to nurse your baby for weeks, months, or longer. It depends upon your own feelings and the needs of your infant. When the time comes to wean your baby (stop breast-feeding), it is easier and more comfortable to do it slowly. Every few days, you can replace one feeding with a bottle. Take several weeks to change the breast-feedings to bottle-feedings. Your milk supply will decrease at the same time. If for any reason you need to stop breast-feeding suddenly, your breasts may be sore and feel very full. Talk with your health care provider or nurse before stopping. He or she can help you with ways to decrease some of the discomfort.