For example, it is important to know that the more often an infant nurses, the more milk the mother produces. Also, the fat content of the milk becomes richer the longer the infant nurses. Fat is a major calorie source, Hopkinson said, adding that the fat content of human milk varies from mother to mother, from feeding to feeding and within a feeding as the milk changes from foremilk to hindmilk. Almost all babies adjust their intake so they obtain the nutrients they need regardless of the mother's milk fat content. This is a marvelous way in which natural systems employ checks and balances.
Babies consume more milk if the fat content is low.
If milk fat content is high, they consume less. If a mother interrupts a feeding, she may be unintentionally reducing the child's fat intake. An infant signals mealtime by crying, fussing, or nuzzling the breast. These signals are more reliable than a clock, Hopkinson said. Mothers need to be sensitive to subtle signals during sleep such as lip smacking.