Encouraging baby to 'drain' your breast doesn't increase baby's fat intake and can worsen breastfeeding problems

You might be told that your baby needs to drain your breast to get the most amount of cream or fat possible, so that he gains weight well. But unfortunately, this advice can actually have the opposite effect, of causing your baby to not gain enough weight!

The research shows that your little one takes in the same amount of cream or fat from your breast milk over a 24-hour period regardless of frequency of feeds. Offering frequent flexible breastfeeds is the best way to ensure your own milk supply and your baby's weight gain. You can find out about frequent flexible breastfeeding starting here.

Persuading your baby to stay on the one breast for a long period of time can accidentally result in

• A conditioned dialling up at the breast, if your baby feels somewhat pressure. You can find out about conditioned dialling up here.

• A drop in the amount of milk you produce, so that baby's weight gain drops off. This is because you're not offering each breast enough times in a 24-hour period to maintain the milk supply your baby needs.

You can take your baby off the breast whenever you've had enough, knowing that if your baby really needs to breastfeed more, you can simply offer again. If you have a newborn and are establishing your milk supply and breastfeeding relationship, you may be more likely to wait until your newborn comes off the breast herself, but you don't have to.