Breastfeeding in the first weeks: what to expect
Breastfeeding is natural, but it's also a skill you and your baby learn together. The first two weeks are usually the hardest, and it gets easier.
The first hours and days
In the first days, your body makes colostrum, a thick, yellowish early milk. It comes in small amounts, which is all a newborn's tiny stomach needs. Skin-to-skin contact right after birth and frequent feeding help your baby learn to latch and signal your body to make more milk.
Your milk usually "comes in" two to five days after birth. Your breasts may feel fuller, warmer and heavier.
A good latch
A deep latch is the key to comfortable, effective feeding.
- Bring your baby to the breast, rather than leaning over your baby.
- Your baby's tummy should face your body, with ear, shoulder and hip in a line.
- Wait for a wide-open mouth, then bring your baby on with the chin touching the breast first.
- Lips should be flared out, and your baby should take in much of the darker area around the nipple, not just the tip.
Some tenderness in the first week is common. Pain that lasts through a feed, or cracked or bleeding nipples, is a sign to get help with the latch.
How often
Expect 8 to 12 feeds in 24 hours. Feeds can take 10 to 45 minutes. Offer both breasts at each feed if your baby is still hungry after the first.
Cluster feeding
Many babies feed very frequently for a few hours, often in the evening. This is normal and helps build your supply. A comfortable chair, a nursing pillow, water and snacks nearby make these stretches easier.
What we mention
Is my baby getting enough?
- Wet and dirty diapers increase day by day, reaching about six or more wet diapers a day after day five.
- Stools change from dark meconium to yellow and seedy by about day five.
- Your baby regains birth weight by about 10 to 14 days.
Taking care of yourself
Eat regular meals, drink to thirst, and rest when your baby sleeps if you can. Most medicines are compatible with breastfeeding, but check with your doctor or pharmacist.
When to ask for help
Contact your pediatrician, OB or a lactation consultant if:
- Feeding is painful beyond the first latch.
- Your baby has fewer wet diapers than expected or seems very sleepy.
- You have a hard, red, painful area on the breast, or a fever. This can be mastitis.
- You're worried about your supply, or you're feeling overwhelmed.
Fed is best. Whether you breastfeed, pump, use formula or combine them, the right choice is the one that works for your family.
