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Lactation Services

Norman Regional's team of highly-skilled Internationally Board-Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC's) work with each mom to help reach her newborn's feeding goals. This team works alongside families to offer a variety of support from verbal, written, and/or hands-on based on patient preference.

The international board-certified lactation team includes:

Breastfeeding your baby

After your baby is born, your milk should come in about three to five days after delivery. Mothers who have had a C-section will find that their milk is delayed coming in by at least one day.

For the best health outcomes, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for approximately six months followed by continued breastfeeding with complementary foods for at least two years and beyond as mutually desired.

How often to breastfeed?

The First Few Days

  • Your newborn’s stomach is quite small, so they don't need much milk at each feeding to feel satisfied.
  • Your baby might want to eat every one to three hours, and frequent feedings can help boost your milk supply while giving your baby practice with sucking and swallowing.
  • If baby is sleepy, wake baby to feed by unwrapping baby, changing the diaper and placing baby skin-to-skin.
  • You might even hear your baby sucking and swallowing the milk.

The First Few Weeks and Months

  • Milk production is regulated by supply and demand. Frequent feedings that empty your breasts help you make more milk.
  • According to the CDC, over the first few weeks and months, the time between feedings will start to get longer.
  • On average, according to the CDC, most exclusively breastfed babies will feed about every two to four hours. Some babies may feed as often as every hour at times, often called cluster feeding. Or they may have a longer sleep interval of four to five hours.
  • Some feeding sessions may be long, and others short. That is okay. Babies will generally take what they need at each feeding and stop eating when they are full.
  • Your baby will breastfeed about 8 to 12 times in 24 hours.

Click to view our online and in-person baby classes, which include breastfeeding classes.

How long is a feeding?

  • When your milk is in, breastfeed baby on one side until baby falls asleep or unlatches, and then burp baby and offer them the second side. Start on the last side or side not fed on the next feeding.
  • Every baby is different but, in general, feedings will last 15 to 45 minutes.
  • It is important that baby gulps and swallows on one side for at least 15 minutes.
  • You cannot overfeed a breastfed baby, and if baby seems hungry, offer the breast.

When are baby growth spurts?

It is common for all babies to have growth spurts, which usually occur around:

  • Seven to 14 days
  • Four to six weeks
  • Three to four months
  • Six months
  • Nine months

Baby growth spurts usually last two to three days, but can last about a week. Babies will feed more frequently during this time.

Breastfeeding tips

  • It is normal for your baby to feed inconsistently for the first 24 hours. Continue to attempt to feed them.
  • Hold your baby skin-to-skin often during your hospital stay.
  • Offer a feeding every two to three hours.
  • Choosing to share a room with your newborn can help you respond to your baby’s hunger signs and breastfeed frequently, which helps boost your milk supply.
  • Watch for feeding cues from your baby such as rooting, hand-to-mouth movements and times when baby is quiet and alert. Crying is a late sign of hunger.
  • Colostrum is produced before and during your first few days after delivery. It may be clear or have a yellow tint. Sometimes it is referred to as “liquid gold” because it is packed full of nutritional benefits including proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and disease-fighting antibodies. Colostrum transitions to breastmilk and digests in about 1.5 hours, so baby may demonstrate hunger cues earlier than three hours.
  • Breastfed babies cannot be overfed. Feed your baby on demand.
  • Alternate breasts every feeding. If the baby nurses longer than 20 to 30 minutes, it is okay to switch sides.
  • The wider and deeper the latch, the more colostrum/breastmilk is transferred and the more comfortable breastfeeding will be for mom.
  • Ask for help with positioning and latching your baby to the breast as needed. Football and cross cradle are the best positions for newborns.
  • Avoid pacifiers and artificial nipples for the first three to four weeks.

Outpatient Lactation Services

Breastfeeding is very important to us at Norman Regional, which is why our team is available seven days a week. If you need additional help once you and your baby are home, please don’t hesitate to call us at
405-515-3532. We will schedule a time to sit down with you and your baby and provide hands-on help to alleviate the stress or confusion you’re experiencing.

As part of the visit, we will weigh your baby before and after a feeding to ensure they are getting the breast milk they need. A doctor’s order is required for most insurance to cover the visit. Orders for the visit can be faxed by your OB or your baby's pediatrician to 405-515-3147.

  • Norman Regional is one of the only hospitals in Oklahoma with Advanced Perinatal Certification with exclusive breastfeeding rates, consistently exceeding the national benchmark.
  • The goal of our Lactation Services department is to support our mothers' decisions to breastfeed, not only while in the hospital, but also for AT LEAST the baby's first six months. (As recommended by the CDC, AAP, and WHO)
  • We offer outpatient lactation consultations provided by our International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC).
  • Whether you delivered here at Norman Regional, with a midwife, or at another surrounding hospital, we are here to ensure that ALL mothers who wish to breastfeed have the help, resources and support needed to meet their goals.
  • A newly renovated, spacious, lactation office at Norman Regional Hospital located at 3300 HealthPlex Parkway in Norman, OK, was recently unveiled. The office is easily accessible, right outside the elevators on the Labor and Delivery floor. Please enter through the Pavilion Entrance.
  • Our Lactation Consultants offer one-on-one consultations with a minimum one-hour appointment time.

Breastfeeding help

  • Norman Regional Hospital Lactation Services – 405-515-3532
  • Coalition of Oklahoma Breastfeeding Advocates (COBA) – okbreastfeeding.org
    • Meets the third Wednesday of every month at Norman Public Library Central 2nd floor, Rose Rock Room
  • Oklahoma Breastfeeding Resource Center and Oklahoma Breastfeeding Hotline - obrc.ouhsc.edu
    • Families can contact Hotline IBCLCs two ways. Call: 877-271-MILK (6455) or Text: OK2BF to 61222.
      • Staff reply to all non-urgent contacts from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and reply to all urgent contacts within one hour, 24/7.
  • Droplet – firstdroplets.com
  • Oklahoma Mother’s Milk Bank – okmilkbank.org

Additional Breastfeeding Resources