Breastfeeding is the healthiest thing moms can do for their baby and for themselves. Breastfeeding helps prevent cancer (in both children and moms), obesity, infections, SIDS, allergies, and asthma. It provides by far the best nutrition to babies, and helps mothers’ bodies to return to normal. It is convenient and costs far less than artificial formula, is less work, and is a significant bonding experience.

This is a brief introduction. See our breastfeeding guide for more detailed information.

Almost all mothers can successfully breastfeed when given the right information on what to expect and support.

Your milk

During pregnancy, the breasts normally grow, becoming heavier and fuller (usually a cup size larger) in preparation for making breast milk. You probably even noticed that you were already making some milk and leaking a little while you were pregnant. That’s a great sign! The hormones from the placenta during pregnancy kept you from making much milk, but after delivery, the breast milk production starts.

Colostrum

At first, your breasts will produce a thick liquid called colostrum, the perfect food for newborns. You don’t make much, and they don’t need much. It’s a perfectly designed system! Colostrum is rich in sugars and antibodies and is the perfect food for a newborn infant. It provides necessary sugar and fluid, and both protect the baby from infection and stimulate her immune system. Colostrum usually lasts few days.
Your baby is born with extra fluid in her body, and she will lose a little weight (up to 10% of her birth weight) during the first week of life. This is both natural and normal, and colostrum is all the fluid most babies need. She will take only a few teaspoons of colostrum per breast per feeding; the rest of the time she is sucking she is comforting herself and stimulating you to make milk.

You should try to nurse as soon after delivery as possible and definitely within the first two hours of life unless this is impossible for a medical reason. You should also have the baby room-in with you, and have the nursing staff avoid giving a bottle of formula unless your doctor orders it for a medical reason. Almost all babies will get enough fluid and sugar from colostrum by nursing 5 minutes per side at least every 2-3 hours.

Transition milk

The colostrum will gradually change, becoming thinner and increasing in amount.

Mature milk

Your milk will come in usually about the third or fourth day (or a day sooner if you have breastfed before). Most women produce a lot of milk at first, and then the breasts adjust to the amount of milk the baby is taking. Throughout all of breastfeeding, the breasts will adjust both the amount and composition of the milk to match the baby’s needs.

Your milk will continue to change over time, the entire time you breastfeed. The milk you make for a 9 month old will be different than the milk you make for a 2 month old. Your milk will also change from day to day and at different times of day.

What to expect the first few days

  • Babies are kind of sleepy the first few days. You may have to try to wake them up by changing their diaper or removing their clothes or stimulating their feet or back, even with a wipe or wet paper towel or washcloth to their face, back or feet.
  • Babies are born with extra water in their bodies. They are meant to lose weight, and can lose up to 10% of their body weight in the first 4-5 days of life. They are supposed to be back to their birth weight by 2 weeks of age, and it is normal to weigh less up to that point.
  • In most cases, newborns only need colostrum for the first few days of life. Mom will make 2-3 teaspoons of colostrum from each breast every 2-3 hours. That means that your baby only needs ½-1 oz of colostrum every 2-4 hours. If a nurse in the hospital tells you that your newborn needs 2-3 ounces of fluid per feeding and that you need to give formula because there is not breast milk yet, she is incorrect and misinformed.
  • Your baby will nurse well sometimes and not at all at other times due to sleepiness or disinterest. This is normal for the first few days. She may nurse 5 minutes on one side, then the next feeding nurse 20 minutes on each side. This is normal. Try to nurse every 2-3 hours, but realize that every nursing session may be different.
  • Nipple shields are sometimes recommended in the hospital. They may help with flat or invered nipples but do not help other issues. Consult with a lactation consultant if you are considering or using them.

Feeding cues

Many people think that babies cry when they are hungry, and that is true; however, crying is a late sign of hunger. Your baby will usually tell you that he or she is hungry in other ways before crying. It is often better to feed your baby before then crying begins.

What are the signs that your baby is ready to eat?

  • Awake and looking around may be a sign, acting like she is looking for something
  • Putting fingers or fist to mouth
  • Sucking on hands or anything else near mouth
  • Stretching, yawning
  • Rooting around with face and mouth looking for something to suck on

Nursing patterns

  • Try to nurse on both sides each time. Your baby may not do this every time, especially at first. However, in general it is best to nurse on both sides most of the time. Alternate sides that you start on each time.
  • Once the baby has nursed 20-30 minutes on one side, any more is not doing anything for her. It may stimulate mom to make milk faster, but basically she is using her as a pacifier.
  • Try to nurse at least every 2-3 hours, but will be very random the first few days, with periods of being sleepy, or cluster feeding every 30 minutes to an hour then a break. If your baby is not nursing every 2-3 hours, then express your breast or pump, as discussed above. Either way, empty each breast every few hours the first week.
  • It may be good to wake your baby up to nurse every 2-3 hours at night until the milk comes in. Once the milk is in and the baby is nursing well, you should wake her up during the day to nurse every 3 hours or so, but you do not have to wake her up at night (unless your pediatrician tells you to because of a specific problem). She will take care of this herself.
  • Don’t use bottles the first 2 weeks. If supplements are needed, use a syringe instead.