Breastfeeding Basics for First-time Moms
Breastfeeding is a natural way to feed your baby. However, that doesn’t mean that it will come naturally. For first-time moms, this is completely new territory which makes it all overwhelming and confusing.
As a new mom wanting to breastfeed, you’ll have a ton of questions. And there’s a lot to learn. But never fear! These are the basics that will get you off to a good start.
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Breastfeed as Soon as Your Baby Wants To
I wouldn’t expect your baby to want to latch on as soon as they’re born. Most babies will be ready to start feeding after they’ve taken in their new surroundings for a bit.
Your baby will let you know when they’re ready for their first feeding session. For me, I didn’t start feeding him until a couple of hours after he was born.
Learn Your Baby’s Feeding Cues
These can be different for each baby. Generally speaking, their cues can be any one of these listed below.
Smacking lips
Sticking out their tongue
Rooting: turning their head toward you and opening their mouth
Opening and closing their mouth
The only feeding cur my son had was rooting. Now what was hilarious about rooting with my son, was that he’d do it with anyone. I’m laughing so hard right now because it would start to freak certain friends out that would’ve been holding him at the time.
Find a Breastfeeding Position That Suites You Both
There are many positions for breastfeeding, it can be overwhelming to decide which one to use. However, at first, you’ll be in the hospital bed, so make sure you stack up on the pillows and make sure you’re comfortable. My son took 45 minutes to nurse at first. So being comfortable was my number one priority (other than making sure my son was fed, of course).
I had two positions, one for each side. On my right breast, I would use the cradle hold. On my left breast, I did the football hold. It was just more comfortable for my son and me.
Cradle Hold
This is probably the most popular and familiar position. In this position, you’ll hold your baby in the crook of your arm. You will offer the breast that is on that same side as the arm you use to hold your baby. You can use the opposite hand to hold your breast.
Football Hold
This is another familiar position that gives you pretty good control. Your baby is tucked against the side of your body. You’ll use the same breast as the arm that is holding your baby. Your opposite hand will hold your breast. The main thing about this position is to keep your baby close to you.
Side-lying Position
This one can be a tad tricky. Both you and your baby are lying on your sides, facing each other. Your baby will latch to the breast closest to the bed.
Cross Cradle Hold
You hold your baby with the arm that is opposite of the breast you’re offering. Hold your breast with the same hand as the breast you’re nursing from.
Tips for a Good Latch from My Lactation Consultant
Support your baby’s neck and shoulders with your hand.
Position baby, so their nose is across from your nipple.
Touch their upper lip with your nipple and let it rest there.
When your baby opens its mouth, pull them into your breast quickly and closely.
Their chin should be pressed into your breast.
Their nose should be barely touching your breast or not touching it at all.
How Often Should You Feed Your Baby
The nurses told me that the first 24 hours, a baby may not eat at all or they may eat a ton. Both can be normal.
After the first 24 hours, a newborn should be eating every 2-3 hours. Some babies will also cluster feed and just want to eat, eat, and eat for hours. It’s normal and healthy for a newborn to cluster feed the second night.
Make sure you get a good nap in during the day so you can be well-rested and ready to go when your baby is ready to eat.
Frequent Feeding is Beneficial
Babies lose less weight.
The more frequently your baby eats, the sooner your milk will come in.
There are fewer problems with jaundice.
When your milk comes in and for the first couple of months, your baby needs to eat at least eight times a day every 24 hours. If a baby eats less than eight times a day, they may not gain enough weight.
This is important, the frequency of feedings is counted from the beginning of a feeding to the beginning of the next feeding.
If most of the time, your baby is eating more often than every two hours, you should meet with a lactation consultant. They can help to make sure your baby is feeding effectively, and your milk supply is good.
How Long Should a Feeding Session Last
This is difficult to answer since each baby is different. My son nursed for 45 minutes. While a friend of mine’s baby nursed for 10 minutes.
If most feedings last longer than an hour, you should probably meet with a lactation consultant. The most common reason why feedings are lasting longer than an hour is that the baby isn’t feeding effectively.
Signs that a Baby is Feeding Effectively
Your baby softens with the feeding.
You see milk when your baby comes off the breast.
You see or hear your baby swallow every 1-2 sucks.
Your baby is satisfied for a couple of hours after meals.
Cluster feeding is common in the early months. Cluster feeds tend to happen in the late afternoon and early evening.
Signs That Your Baby is Getting Enough to Eat
Your baby is gaining weight after your milk comes in.
Weight tends to trump everything else. If your baby is gaining enough weight, then they are getting enough to eat.
Your baby is having at least six wet diapers and at least four dirty diapers.
Normal Breastfed Baby’s Poop
Meconium is your baby’s first poop. It’s dark green and very sticky.
After they pass the meconium, your baby’s poop will transition to a greenish-brown or greenish-yellow color.
Within 24-48 hours after your milk comes in, their poop will change to “breastmilk stools.” These will be yellow and very loose. And it can also look seedy.
If your baby is pooping a lot, that means they are getting enough to eat from breastfeeding.
Weight
Initially, a newborn will lose weight. Up to 10% of weight loss is normal.
After your milk comes in, your baby should start gaining weight.
Your baby should be back to birth weight by their 2nd-week pediatric appointment.
When Will Your Milk Come In?
A mom’s milk will come in around 48-72 hours after birth. Trust me, you’ll feel it. Not going to lie, I thought my boobs looked amazing when my milk came in until I touched them. They were hard as rocks and about to burst of my son didn’t nurse form them soon.
Common Issues
Sore Nipples
There’s usually some degree of sore nipples. You can get Motherlove Nipple Cream to help relieve the soreness.
Engorgement
Engorged breasts are hard. There are two types of engorgement.
Caused by swelling of breast tissue.
Caused by lots of milk in the ducts.
You can use ice packs on your breasts for 20 minutes to help decrease the swelling. You can do this every couple of hours.
Feeding or pumping will help relieve engorgement that is from a ton of milk in your ducts.
Remember, it is important to keep the milk moving when you’re engorged.
The first couple weeks of breastfeeding can be an overwhelming and trying time. But, now that you’ve read this, you should be prepared for the most common questions that new moms have. Now, you can look forward to settling into a breastfeeding routine after those first couple of hectic weeks.
