Breastfeeding is a beautiful experience for many people, but it isn’t always easy. It’s natural to feel a range of feelings as you hold your infant for the first time after undergoing one of motherhood’s most physically and emotionally demanding feats: from delight to tension and anxiety. These sensations can be amplified during your baby’s first two weeks, which are the most challenging and crucial for establishing milk supply – especially for first-time mothers.
The week 1
Your provider will likely place your infant on your chest for a skin-to-skin time as soon as you’re medically stable and alert following birth. According to research, this can aid in the stabilisation of their respiration, body temperature, and blood sugar levels, as well as prepare them for their first breastfeeding experience. When she’s on your chest, make sure you can see her face; her head should be turned to one side and tipped back as if she’s sniffing something. This is especially crucial if you’re tired or on pain medication because poor positioning might result in a plugged nose or mouth, which can prevent her from breathing.
During the first few hours of life, babies are at their most awake, and they will naturally begin to root and try to feed. Encourage your baby to look for and latch on to your nipple while you’re doing skin-to-skin time. Your baby’s first milk, which is thicker than breast milk and contains antibodies and other compounds that protect her against gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses, is usually all the nutrients she requires.
Help your child access your breast if they’re having trouble. Bringing your baby to your breast rather than your breast to your baby is more comfortable.
Position your baby’s mouth toward the bottom of your areola while holding her, and touch her top lip with your nipple. While she latches, direct your nipple toward the roof of her mouth when she opens her mouth. While your baby’s bottom lip, chin, and cheeks are touching your breast, the majority of your areola should be visible. Her lips should be flanged out, and her nose should be high and clear for breathing.
As your baby recovers from birth, she will most likely be asleep, so try to keep her close so you can pick up on her early hunger cues. Examples are turning her head to the side, rooting, mouth movements, and sucking on her hands. Crying is a symptom of hunger that appears later in the day. If your baby is asleep, gentle stimulation such as diaper changing or caressing her feet or back can help rouse her for breastfeeding.
It’s typical for your breasts to feel uncomfortable during your first feed (tenderness should go away after a few sucks), but if you’re in agony and don’t hear her swallowing, her latch is off. If a nurse or lactation consultant is available, get your latch frequently checked to ensure your baby gets enough colostrum and avoid nipple injury. It’s more vital to feel like you’re breastfeeding than it is to appear like you’re breastfeeding; you should have a solid pulling feeling.
Experts recommend nursing your kid for at least 10 to 15 minutes each breast every two to three hours. This equates to eight to twelve feedings per day. A lactation consultant should also check to see if your infant has a good latch and is eliminating milk correctly. Within 24 hours of a successful feed, your baby should have at least one wet (urinary) and one bowel movement in her diaper. The first bowel movement should be tarry and dark green.
Expect your baby to be hungry and breastfeed regularly on day two
Your baby will want to nurse every two to three hours today, as they are likely to be more attentive and hungrier (which is normal and will help bring in your milk). Between nursing sessions, your infant should be content.
You will most likely be discharged from the hospital on day two. Your nurse will weigh your baby to see how well she is eating. If she were born at full term, she would lose weight in the first three to four days.
You may not make enough colostrum to satisfy your baby, putting her at risk for jaundice, dehydration, severe weight loss, or low blood sugar. A baby is hungry if they are displaying hunger cues and fussing nonstop, especially after nursing. Until your breast milk volume is sufficient to satisfy your baby’s needs, your doctor may suggest supplementing your baby’s diet with donor breast milk or formula.
Don’t worry about destroying your nursing relationship by temporarily giving your baby donor milk or formula. Supplementation can prevent excessive weight loss in new-borns while also fulfilling their hunger.
If your baby isn’t latching or nursing correctly, you may need to self-express or pump colostrum from your breasts and feed it to her via syringe, tube, cup, or slow flow bottle. You can learn how to do it from your nurse or lactation consultant.
Correct your baby’s latch and placement if your nipples are sore, cracked, bruised, or blistering to avoid further harm. After nursing, apply nipple cream or gel pads to your nipples to speed up the healing process.
Your baby’s bowel motions should transition from meconium to a brownish-green colour around this time, showing that she is digesting colostrum and lowering her levels of jaundice. By the end of the day, your baby should have at least two wet and two greenish-brown bowel movement diapers.
Breastfeeding is an acquired skill, and each session will most likely be unique. Being flexible will relieve you of the stress of having to accomplish everything precisely. Resting, washing, eating and drinking, and alleviating any discomfort you may have from delivery are all vital things to remember as you recuperate.
On day 3, keep an eye on your baby and milk production while getting ready for your first paediatrician visit
Make sure your baby has a follow-up appointment with his paediatrician arranged for the day after discharge before you leave the hospital. Days two to five are essential days for normal babies to be seen by their paediatrician. This is because they’re still losing weight, and their jaundice levels may be becoming worse. A healthy baby can suddenly become a sick infant, and we must keep a watchful eye on them to avoid complications.
After you’ve been discharged, it is recommended that your baby have a physical check-up every day or every other day until it’s evident that your baby is feeding correctly and that their jaundice is improving.
Your breasts will feel bigger and heavier from day 3, and you may start leaking as your milk comes in, though it may take six or more days for complete milk production to begin, especially if this is your first baby or if you had a caesarean section. Delayed milk production usually has little impact on your ability to maintain a steady milk supply, but detecting and controlling it early and effectively is critical. If your entire milk production is delayed, nurse every two to three hours and then supplement until your milk arrives. Your paediatrician will tell you how much-banked donor milk or formula you’ll need and how to wean yourself off of it once your milk comes.
On the other hand, most moms do not need to supplement their babies’ diets and can continue breastfeeding as long as their babies show signs of hunger. (If you’re having trouble getting enough milk, check out our instructions here.)
On day 4, watch for changes in the baby’s bowel motions and manage engorgement. Your entire milk production should have arrived by day four, which can happen suddenly or gradually. Your infant will also swallow considerably more quickly than before, with roughly three sucks for every swallow.
Expect your baby and your body to adjust to breastfeeding on day 5
Your kid is most likely waking up every two to three hours to feed and producing at least six wet diapers and three to four brownish, seedy stools at this point. After each feeding, your breasts should soften, indicating that your baby is eliminating milk and that they are gaining weight. However, it’s normal for your breasts to feel overly full, and milk leakage is usual.
Start settling into a more predictable breastfeeding rhythm between days 6 and 10
After your milk arrives, you may observe a more regular schedule of nursing, napping, and alert periods since your baby is likely receiving more milk than she was previously. In addition, if your baby likes to nurse for comfort, she may choose to “cluster feed” at particular times of the day, which means she’ll nurse virtually continuously for a few hours rather than once every two to three hours.
Your kid should have four or more yellowish bowel movements and six or more wet diapers per 24 hours at this point.
Prepare for a growth spike between days 11 and 14
Your baby will most likely have a growth spurt near the end of her two weeks and will want to nurse more frequently than usual, acting ravenously hungry. This can persist for a few days until your baby’s milk needs are met, and your milk production will most likely adjust to match those demands.
It’s possible that your breasts won’t feel as complete as they were in the first two weeks. However, this does not imply that you are short on milk. Your kid is eating enough if he appears satisfied after feedings and is gaining weight. In the first month, weekly weight checks with your baby’s paediatrician can help you stay on target until breastfeeding is well established. Breastfed babies acquire 5 to 7 ounces per week if they are well fed.
It’s a unique sensation to nurse your baby. Breastfeeding often becomes a lot simpler, more joyful, and gratifying with time, despite any hurdles along the way.
When to Be Concerned
Nursing constantly and crying after most feedings; yellowing skin; not waking spontaneously or inability to stay awake for feeds; trouble latching or sustaining breastfeeding for at least 10 minutes at a time; fewer wet or dirty diapers than expected; or dry lips are all signs that your baby isn’t getting enough breastmilk. Contact your paediatrician or family doctor if you see any of these warning signals.
