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Breastfeeding Questions

Breastfeeding is feeding a baby human milk directly from the breast or with expressed milk. Questions often involve latch, milk transfer, feeding frequency, milk supply and comfort.

Feeding difficulties can come from latch problems, tongue or mouth anatomy, low milk transfer, maternal pain, illness, prematurity and other feeding or medical issues.

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AAP Guide to Breastfeeding Questions

The AAP guide below explains common breastfeeding concerns and when to ask for help.

AAP Symptom CheckerBreastfeeding

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When to see a doctor

Contact your pediatrician or another healthcare professional if:

  • Your baby is not gaining weight as expected.
  • Your baby has very few wet diapers or feeds much less than usual.
  • Feeding is consistently painful or nipples are cracked and bleeding.
  • The breastfeeding parent or baby develops fever or signs of infection.
  • Your baby is too sleepy to feed normally.

Call 911 or get emergency care if:

  • Your baby has severe dehydration, severe breathing trouble or is very difficult to wake.
  • You think your baby has a life-threatening emergency.

Talk to a nurse now, at any hour

When can my child be seen

Be seen today.

Every office keeps same-day appointments for illness and injury.

This evening or at the weekend.

Most offices run After Hours Care, by appointment rather than walk-in.

If you are worried, call. We would rather answer a question that turns out to be nothing.

More on feeding and growth

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