Day 1

  • Try to feed every 1-3 hours BUT may only eat every 4-5 hours the first day (that’s okay!)
  • Try to feed 7-10 times a day BUT may only eat 3-4 times the first day (that’s okay!)
  • Your baby’s stomach is small!, only 1/2 to 1 tsp big! Feedings are tiny; you may not even notice anything!
  • Colostrum is all most babies need
  • Express your colostrum every 2-3 hours if your baby does not nurse; you can feed it to your baby with spoon or syringe (but you don’t have to do it every time)
  • Expect at least 1 poop and 1 wet diaper
  • Other helpful things:
    • Do skin to skin often while you are awake
    • Watch the baby, not the clock!
    • Your baby is supposed to lose weight today
    • If your baby seems to need supplements, use a syringe, spoon, or cup, not a bottle

Day 2

  • Try to feed every 1-3 hours
  • Try to feed 7-10 times a day
  • Your baby’s stomach is still small!, only 1-3 tsp big! Feedings are tiny; you may not even notice anything!
  • Colostrum is all most babies need
  • Express your colostrum every 2-3 hours if your baby does not nurse; you can feed it to your baby with spoon or syringe (but you don’t have to do it every time)
  • Expect at least 1-2 poops and 1-3 wet diapers
  • Your baby may cry or be fussy; it may not be hunger. Watch for feeding cues (rooting, mouth open, sucking on fist)
  • If your baby seems hungry and not satisfied with nursing, you may supplement with expressed colostrum or formula; use a syringe, spoon, or cup, not a bottle
  • Your baby should lose weight today.

Day 3

  • Try to feed every 1-3 hours, 7-10 times a day
  • Your baby’s stomach is small but getting bigger!, only 3-6 tsp (1/2 to 1 ounce) big!
  • Your milk may start coming in today.
  • Express or pump your colostrum/milk if the baby is not nursing frequently
  • Expect at least 3-4 poops and 3-4 wet diapers
  • Watch the baby, not the clock!
  • Your baby may lose weight today or stay about the same
  • Your baby may cry or be fussy; it may not be hunger. Watch for feeding cues (rooting, mouth open, sucking on fist)
  • If your baby seems hungry and not satisfied with nursing, you may supplement with expressed colostrum or formula; use a syringe, spoon, or cup, not a bottle.
  • See a lactation consultant if you need help!

Day 4

  • Try to feed every 1-3 hours, 7-10 times a day
  • Your baby’s stomach is getting bigger!, about 1-2 ounces (30-60 mL, 6-12 tsp)
  • Your milk should start coming in today.
  • Express or pump your colostrum/milk if the baby is not nursing frequently
  • Expect at least 4 poops and 4-5 wet diapers. Poops should be changing from black & sticky to soft & yellow.
  • Your baby may gain weight today (yay!) or stay about the same
  • Your baby may cry or be fussy; it may not be hunger. Watch for feeding cues (rooting, mouth open, sucking on fist)
  • If your baby seems hungry and not satisfied with nursing, you may supplement with expressed milk or formula; use a syringe, spoon, or cup, not a bottle.
  • See a lactation consultant if you need help!