During your first days of your baby’s life, if you don’t relate to the photos in all your breastfeeding handouts of smiling mamas with peacefully latched babies, don’t worry. You are not alone.
We so often hear about how natural breastfeeding is, but it is actually a skill that takes some time to learn. Most moms have plenty of milk to make it work, but remember: you and your baby are getting to know each other. You need time, patience and support to get the hang of it together.
Here are a few things that may help to know ahead of time:
Skin to Skin
One of the best things you can do to set yourself and baby up for a great latch and overall breastfeeding success happens in the first hour after birth. Skin-to-skin regulates your baby’s vitals and it wakes up their natural feeding instincts.
Skin-to-skin contact means your baby is entirely naked except for a diaper, and they are placed on your bare chest. You can cover yourselves with a blanket, but there should be nothing between you and your baby’s bodies.
Skin-to-skin can be done right after vaginal or cesarean delivery, for at least one hour. This is a powerful time to begin nursing. Your baby may actually move, kick, wiggle and crawl their way over to your breast and latch themselves on their own – let them! You’ll be amazed at what they can do. Early, frequent skin-to-skin and feedings are a powerful way to start off strong.
If there are complications and skin-to-skin or early breastfeeding is not possible, don’t worry. There are lots of things we can do to still support your breastfeeding goals. Ask for guidance with protecting your milk supply as soon as possible.
Colostrum
The milk you have for the first few days of your baby’s life is different than you may expect. The white, flowing milk everyone imagines doesn’t arrive until 3-5 days after your baby is born. Your early milk is called colostrum, and it is the perfect first food for your baby.
Colostrum is clear or gold colored, thick, and sticky. You only produce a small amount because your baby’s stomach is the size of a marble when they are born. Each drop of colostrum is packed with powerful antibodies that help protect your baby from illness.
If you can’t see your colostrum, that does not mean you don’t have it. A baby that latches and sucks well is a professional at getting colostrum. The best plan is to latch your baby for every feeding.
If your baby is having trouble latching, ask if there is someone who can teach you about hand expression. Try not to offer any supplements “just in case” without talking to a lactation consultant. Early supplementation without guidance can sometimes create unwanted problems.
How Often to Feed Baby
Babies need to eat a lot, even at night. It is important to feed your baby as often as they want. Babies should eat at least 8-12 times in 24 hours, or at least every 3 hours.
Babies may show that they are hungry by:
It is challenging to latch a baby when they are crying, so try to observe and respond to these earlier hunger signs.
The Second Night
Until the second night of life, babies are often sleepy and recovering from birth. Around the second night, many babies begin to “wake up” and become more alert to this new world around them. Breastfeeding makes them feel safe as they adapt and babies will often begin to “cluster feed,” or act like they are hungry shortly after you just fed them. This may go on for several hours and is a very normal behavior of newborns. It won’t last forever and does not mean that you don’t have enough milk! Allow them to latch when they want to, and trust that it will pass.
Pain: What Is Normal?
During the first few weeks, if you experience a short amount of pain after latch that gets better within 30 seconds, this may be normal. Pain that lasts throughout a feeding is not normal and is a great sign to seek help.
Where to Get Help
Free or affordable breastfeeding support is available to you! Lactation home visits, office visits, telehealth, and support groups can help you through any challenges you experience at any time. Reach out to your providers, the county health department, or any family support agency nearby for a list of people who can help. You’ve got this, mama!