Breast milk:
Many pregnant women are curious about whether they will succeed in breastfeeding and if they will produce enough milk. For first-time mothers, breastfeeding is a learned skill. You will want to learn as much as you can and ask for help when you need it. Good sources include your doctor, midwife, nurse practitioner or other healthcare professional, lactation consultant, and La Leche league, as well as workplace lactation programs, which provide support to help you continue to breastfeed for as long as possible. The following tips will help you get ready for breastfeeding and answer some of the questions that you may have.
REST: Sleep as much as you can. Give yourself time to recover. Do not try to do too much too soon. Take a nap every day, and sleep when your baby sleeps. Enjoy visitors, but remember you need to get all the rest you can in the first few weeks.
FEEDING SCHEDULE: Feed your baby every 1 to 3 hours during the first few days (beginning of session to the beginning of next session). This will help stimulate milk production, and lessen or prevent engorgement once your milk does come in.
LOCATION: Keep your baby near you to avoid having to move too much. Also store diapers, changing supplies, water or chilled juice, and a snack within easy reach. Some mothers enjoy sipping on cool drinking water or juice as they feed their baby, while others like to listen to soothing music, or both.
COMFORT: Make sure both you and your baby are as comfortable as possible when breastfeeding, using pillows or an arm chair to support the weight of your baby. Some mothers use a rolled up blanket, towel, or other soft items, rather than a pillow. Other moms find that putting something under their feet helps to support baby better by raising the “lap” area.
BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT: Ask someone to help position your baby and get the baby latched on, especially when you are first learning to breastfeed. Many moms benefit from the help of a coach, someone experienced with the skill of breastfeeding, such as a lactation consultant, pediatrician, or nurse practitioner. Always ask for help if you need support or help in breastfeeding, or are feeling pain during nursing.
SUPPORT NETWORK: Everyone wants to help out after the baby arrives. Request help until your doctor tells you that it is okay to ease back into your normal routine. Ask family, friends, and neighbors to help prepare or pick up meals, clean, do laundry, dishes, or other household chores, watch older children, and run errands. Remember, it is okay to ask for help!
MEDICATIONS, VITAMINS, AND OTHER SUPPLEMENTS: Contact your doctor, midwife, or lactation consultant if you are taking any type of medication, vitamin, or herbal supplement, even nonprescription remedies for headaches or colds, because many medications pass through into the mother’s milk, although in very small amounts. Avoid alcohol and limit caffeine.
MOM’S DIET: Breast milk is all your baby needs in the first 4 to 6 months of life, but you need to continue to eat a well-balanced diet. Remember, what you eat or drink may affect both you and your baby. During breastfeeding, make sure to consume 500 calories/day more than you did before you became pregnant (2500 calories/day for most women), take a calcium supplement, and stay hydrated by drinking at least 8 glasses of water/day.
NURSING BRAS AND BREAST PADS: Choose nursing bras that are comfortable and fit well, providing support, but not so tight that they cut into your breasts or back. Cotton cups are better than synthetic ones, because they let more air circulate around the nipples. Breast pads are sometimes helpful to have on hand, as well as clothes that make it easy to breastfeed (shirts that unbutton or pull up are best).
Right after a baby is born is an exciting time, but also a tiring one. Knowing a few things about breastfeeding makes the first day a little easier.
The best time to begin breastfeeding is almost right after your baby is born. Your baby is usually very alert right after birth, and when placed on your chest, the baby may move to your breast and begin sucking. Do not worry if you cannot breastfeed your baby right after birth. Most babies have no difficulty latching on even if breastfeeding is delayed. Your healthcare professionals can help you build and maintain your milk supply until you have an opportunity for that first special feeding.
Have your nurse place your baby directly on your chest with a blanket over the two of you. Snuggle the baby on your chest in the valley between your breasts. Ideally, leave the baby there for at least 30 minutes or until the baby breastfeeds. Skin-to-skin contact after birth has the following benefits for baby:
Once your baby is born, and for 3 to 4 days afterward, your breasts produce a form of milk called colostrum, which is thicker than regular breast milk. This yellowish or golden first milk contains all the nutrients your newborn needs for the first few days of life, in the perfect amount. It helps protect your baby from infection, which is why it is good to start breastfeeding as early as possible. Don’t worry if it seems that your baby is only getting a small amount during these first feedings. Before your milk supply increases (usually by day 3 or 4), your baby only receives a small amount of colostrum from your breasts—only teaspoons to tablespoons each feeding. This small amount is enough to nourish your baby.
Nurse frequently for the first few days, every 1 to 3 hours (beginning of session to the beginning of next session) to:
The key to successful breastfeeding is proper positioning of your breast and your baby’s mouth. Good positioning allows your baby to fully latch on to your breast. Use a pillow to help support your baby’s body. You will want to nurse frequently to maintain your supply. It may take several tries to get a good latch. If your baby is not latched on properly, start over. And if the first feeding does not go perfectly, take a break! You and your baby are both new at this; so, patience is often needed. Just try again in 30 minutes or so. It’s OK to ask for help. And remember to nap while the baby naps!
Breastfeeding early and often offers many benefits to both you and your baby after a cesarean birth. Your baby’s sucking stimulates the mother’s uterus to contract more quickly and speeds your healing. Breastfeeding also brings you and your baby emotionally closer, which is especially important if you were separated following birth or if the birth was traumatic.
Breastfeeding is a natural choice for both you and your baby, providing a wonderful bonding experience, as well as many practical benefits for both mother and baby.
As your baby matures, your breast milk also matures. After your baby’s birth, the first milk produced is known as colostrum. This yellowish, golden first milk is rich in antibodies and the perfect food for a newborn. Within a few days, the colostrum will be replaced with mature breast milk. Frequent feeding will help relieve the discomfort that sometimes comes with this first feeling of fullness.
Every mom wants to know how often a baby needs to eat and for how long. Here’s what you need to know:
Breast milk production is all about Demand-and-Supply: the more a baby nurses, the more milk you will produce. If nursing frequency or time is decreased, the breasts will decrease the amount of milk they produce. Follow these suggestions:
Every baby is born with his or her own temperament and need for sleep. Most babies will sleep for 18 to 22 hours in their first 2 to 3 days following birth. During the first few weeks, your baby will need to be woken up to feed. Some babies would rather sleep than eat during the first few weeks. Here are some tips for waking and nursing your baby:
ONCE YOUR MILK SUPPLY IS WELL ESTABLISHED, your baby should gain about 2/3 ounce/day for the first 3 months. Most newborns lose a little weight in the first few days after birth. Newborns should start gaining weight after the first week. After 2 weeks, most babies are back up to their birth weight.
AFTER ABOUT DAY 4, your baby will no longer pass meconium (thick, black, or dark-green stools). Instead, your baby will have soft yellow bowel movements, at least 3 times/day. The AAP recommends a minimum of 6 wet diapers/day after day 5. During the first month, your baby should wet a minimum of 6 diapers a day and continue to have 2 to 5 bowel movements. Your baby’s urine should look nearly clear.
Learning to breastfeed takes time and practice for both you and your baby.
Have your baby’s face and body face you, with your baby’s head at the level of your breast. If you can draw a straight line from your baby’s shoulder to hip, you have your baby in the correct position. Make sure both you and your baby are as comfortable as possible, using pillows or an arm chair to support the weight of your baby.
Gently lift and support your breast by placing your fingers below the breast and your thumb on top of the breast, well away from the areola (the dark area around your nipple). Think of cupping your breast with your hand in a “C” or “U” shape. Make sure that the fingers on the underside of your breast aren’t touching the areola.
Gently stroke your baby’s lower lip or cheek with your nipple in a downward motion or with your finger until your baby’s mouth opens wide. If your baby’s mouth does not open wide enough, repeat this stroking until it does. Then quickly pull your baby onto your breast, so that your baby’s nose, cheeks, and chin are all slightly touching your breast. If your baby’s nostrils are blocked, pull your baby’s bottom upward and closer to you, so your baby’s head will move back slightly.
Your baby needs to latch on to more than just the nipple. Your baby needs to take in at least 1” of the areola, with the mouth positioned over the pockets of milk located 1”–1½” behind the nipple. This way, your baby will get the most milk, and you will have less likelihood of developing sore nipples.
When your baby first nurses, you will feel a tugging sensation. You should listen for the sound of your baby swallowing. If you hear a clicking sound (your baby’s tongue against the roof of his or her mouth) this may mean that your baby isn’t latched on well. Other signs of a poor latch-on are nipple pain or pinching.
Alternate the side you start breastfeeding with, because your baby sucks more efficiently on the first breast used. If your baby does not nurse at the second breast or completely drain the second breast, begin nursing on that breast at the next feeding.
If it is necessary to reposition your baby during a feeding or get a better latch, gently slip one of your fingers into the corner of your baby’s mouth to first break the suction. This helps to prevent damage to the nipple and areola. Don’t get discouraged; initially it may take several tries to get the latch-on correct. Two other ways to break the suction include gently pulling down on your baby’s chin or pressing on the part of the breast closest to your baby’s mouth.
You will need to find the position or positions that are most comfortable for both you and your baby. Some experts suggest alternating positions. That way your baby will not latch on and apply pressure at the same spot every time. Try these positions and see what works best for you.
The cradle hold
Cross-cradle hold
This position is good for moms who’ve had trouble with latching-on and with small or premature babies.
You can see the latch-on more clearly than with the cradle-hold position. For this hold, position yourself comfortably, with pillows behind you. Lean back slightly so that you don’t have to bend over your baby.
Football hold
This position is good for moms with large breasts, for those who’ve had a cesarean birth, trouble with latching-on, or moms with small or premature babies.
This hold can also provide you with a free hand or enable you to breastfeed two babies at once. The advantage of this hold is that you can clearly see latch-on.
Lying down
Good for night feedings and when sitting is uncomfortable.
No matter which breastfeeding position you choose, an important thing to remember is that your baby’s mouth should be at the same level as your nipple. His or her head should be in a straight line with his belly—directly facing you—not turned to the side. Remember if your baby’s head is turned to the side, it’s hard for him or her to swallow. (See for yourself: turn your head and swallow. Then face forward and swallow again. Notice a difference?) Also, if your baby’s head is turned, it makes it more difficult for your baby to get enough of the nipple and breast into his or her mouth.
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