If you’re planning on breastfeeding your newborn after delivery, it might feel a little like the great unknown. Sure, you’ve seen pictures of mothers calmly and peacefully feeding their little ones. But the truth is the first few days of breastfeeding can also be tricky, a little nerve-wracking, and take some work. We think the best way to make you feel more confident heading into your breastfeeding journey is to give you the straight facts. Here are six things you can expect from the first few days of breastfeeding.
1. You’ll Breastfeed Soon After Delivery
Whenever possible, your baby will be put on your chest immediately after birth for skin-to-skin contact. During this special time, often known as the "golden hour." When your baby shows you early feeding cues it will be time for you and your little one to try your hands at breastfeeding for the very first time. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that new mamas and babies should stay in skin-to-skin contact until after their first breastfeed. When your baby latches and suckles, it signals to your body and hormones that it’s time for your milk supply to switch to the "on" position.
During skin-to-skin, some babies might do what’s known as the "breast crawl," where they instinctually scoot their way over to your breast and try to latch. However, if this doesn’t happen, your care team will help you position baby for their first try at breastfeeding. If you have any complications during delivery that prevent you from doing skin-to-skin right away, you’ll be able to snuggle your little one and breastfeed as soon as possible.
2. Colostrum is Magical
Colostrum is the first breastmilk your body makes for your baby. It’s a thick, concentrated, yellowish milk that is produced in small amounts, but has a ton of benefits for baby including protection against germs, and preventing low blood sugar. Known as liquid gold, you may feel surprised to see how little colostrum you actually produce. But because it’s so densely caloric (and your baby’s stomach is so tiny after birth), it’s plenty for baby until your milk comes in.
Many hospitals and lactation consultants recommend manually expressing and collecting colostrum after breastfeeding sessions. While it might feel like a lot of work to manually express milk after you’ve already fed your baby, it helps to ensure your little one is getting plenty of calories during their first few hours in the world. Another benefit? Manual expression will help to stimulate your milk supply. Your nurses and lactation consultants will show you how to express and collect colostrum and, how to feed the extra to baby using a spoon or syringe.
3. It Might Be Uncomfortable
It will take some learning and practice—both for you and for your baby—to figure out the correct latch and positioning while you breastfeed. But it’s important to know that even if baby’s latch is wonderful, breastfeeding can definitely feel a bit uncomfortable until your body gets used to it (especially since, let’s face it, your newborn will be at the breast a lot in the first few weeks). When baby latches properly, it should feel like a tugging sensation, rather than a sharp pinching pain.
When beginning a breastfeeding session, encourage baby to open their mouth wide, and then aim your nipple toward the roof of mouth as they latch. Make sure baby latches on to the nipple and some of the breast tissue, not just the nipple, to achieve a correct latch.
Before you’re discharged from the hospital, ask for a lactation consultant to stop in and watch you and your little one as you breastfeed. They can ensure that baby is latching properly and give you suggestions on how to avoid or manage any tenderness that comes along with nursing.
4. It Can Feel Intense When Your Milk Comes In
Somewhere between days two and four your true breastmilk supply will come in. And it can feel sudden. You might wake up and feel shocked at just how large and swollen your breasts are. When your milk production kicks into high gear, it’s common for your breasts to feel firm, full and tender, a condition known as engorgement.
Obtaining a deep latch, along frequent feeding, can help decrease or avoid severe engorgement. If your breasts become uncomfortable, allow baby to latch and nurse for as long as they’d like. And if necessary, jump in the shower and hand express milk to take more pressure off.
If the areola (the dark area around the nipple) are too firm for the baby to latch to, you can apply pressure with your fingertips around the base of the nipple and push in toward your chest wall for several minutes. This will help push back some of the swelling away from the base of the nipple and allow your baby to latch deeper as well as allow the milk to flow easier.
Some women choose to pump to help with engorgement, but take caution—the more milk you pump, the more your body thinks it should make. If you pump to relieve engorgement, pump for just enough time to relieve your pain or pressure in order to avoid an oversupply.
Your milk supply and any engorgement issues will begin to level out as you and baby get into the swing of a breastfeeding routine. We promise it won’t always be this way. But it’s important to keep an eye on engorgement and do what you can to relieve pressure in your breasts in order to prevent clogged ducts or mastitis.
5. It May Seem Like You’re ALWAYS Feeding Your Baby
Babies typically breastfeed between 8-12 times a day, and feedings in the first few days can range anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes. While it’s great that your little one is getting lots of practice learning how to latch and nurse efficiently, some days might feel like you just can’t get a break to eat, shower or use the bathroom for that matter. But these jam-packed days of feedings aren’t forever, mama. As baby grows and gets better at breastfeeding, the amount of time between feedings will get longer and longer.
6. Your Baby’s Weight Gain Will Be Tracked Right Away
To ensure your little one is getting plenty of calories from your breastmilk, their care team will weigh them several times in the first few weeks of birth. If your little one is gaining weight as expected, it’s an excellent sign that they’re getting enough breastmilk. If baby’s provider has any concerns about their weight, they will work with you to create a play to help baby put on more weight.
Lactation consultants are also a wonderful resource that you can utilize if you’re concerned that you’re not producing enough breastmilk or if you have any breastfeeding challenges. Many lactation specialists, and even baby’s provider, can help you to do what’s known as a "weighted feed."
During a weighted feed, baby is weighed wearing just a dry diaper, then you’ll breastfeed your little one. After your baby finishes their feeding, they’ll be weighed again to see how much breastmilk they ate. Your lactation consultant can help you put together a plan to boost your breastmilk supply and increase feedings if they find that baby needs extra calories to support their growth.
We’re wishing you luck as you begin your breastfeeding journey, mama. Remember—you and baby are both brand new to breastfeeding, and it will take some practice and learning for you both.
For more information about what to expect from your breastfeeding experience at Women & Babies Hospital, including to register for a breastfeeding class, check out this video or visit LGHealth.org/breastfeeding.