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Breastfeeding Guidelines: The first few days at home
Congratulations on the birth of your baby. We support your decision to breastfeed and provide some important information to help you enjoy this experience.
Getting Started
Newborns will feed with increasing frequency by the 3rd to 4th day creating an increase in your milk supply.
You will begin to notice your
infant's own feeding cues when
they arouse from sleep. Typically,
as the infant's body starts
to stretch and its hands move
toward its mouth the infant is
"rooting" in search of its
mother's nipple. You should
begin to nurse when you see
this behavior, not waiting for
the infant to cry. For many infants, crying is a late cue
and latching and feeding will become difficult.
Wash your hands and settle with the infant in a comfortable
breastfeeding position. Use a pillow for support
under your arm holding the infant. Be sure you
are comfortable and your back and feet are well supported.
Your infant should feed 2 1/2 to 3 hours from the beginning
of the last feeding. Some infants may feed as
often as every 1 1/2 hours which will also stimulate an
increase in your milk supply.
Keeping your infant awake and interested in breastfeeding
may be difficult at times. If this should occur,
undress the infant leaving only its diaper. This will increase
skin-to-skin contact with the mother, who
should remove her top, leaving only her bra. Skin-toskin
contact will maintain the infant's body temperature
while stimulating the infant to stay awake during a
feeding. Position the infant in a side-lying or “cradle”
position with the infants tummy turned into your
breast parallel to the nipple line.
Latching On
To open your infant’s mouth, gently stroke the infant’s upper lip with your nipple to promote a "rooting" response. Repeat until the mouth opens wide and the infants tongue is protruding out over the lower gum ridge. Bring the infant's head towards the nipple and insert as much of the nipple* as possible, including the areola. The lips should be flanged outward grabbing as much of the breast as possible. (see illustration below) The infant will begin to suckle then you should hear the transfer of milk and the infant swallowing. Active sucking and swallowing should last for at least 10 minutes.
*Talk to your LC about rotating the position of the infant’s mouth on your nipple to prevent nipple cracking and skin damage.
Feeding Sessions
The infant should nurse at both breasts at each feeding. In the first few days, your breasts should start to feel firm. You may find the infant feeds from one breast more and you may see milk leaking from the least used breast. This indicates you are producing milk and the breasts are “letting down” milk to the nipples. You may also experience uterine contractions during these early sessions. In the first few days you may notice the infants suck pattern change from very fast sucks to slower deeper sucks indicating the milk is flowing well. Once the milk supply has been transferred to the infant, the infant begins to slow its sucking. Take the infant off the breast, burp the infant and shift to the other breast. You may need to stimulate the infant to stay awake by changing its diaper. At the end of the session both breasts should feel softer.
Important Points for Infant
- Your infant should nurse at least 8-10 times in 24 hours.
- Your infant should sleep no more than 3 hours between any two feedings.
- Don't forget to wake your infant and feed during the night.
- Your infant should have 3 or more bowel movements (at least the size of a quarter) by the 3rd day of life.
- Breastfeeding is going well if you hear continued sucking and swallowing and your full breasts are softer after each feeding session.
- Watch for signs of infant satisfaction after a feeding: the infant falls away from the breast, milk drips from the side of the infant's mouth, the infant is content after most feedings.
Important Points for Mom
- Eat well—3 meals and healthy snacks.
- Drink plenty of liquids, satisfy your thirst.
- Rest and relax between feedings.
- Don't let things overwhelm you causing you to become anxious.
- Remember to call your pediatrician or lactation consultant with any concerns.
We are here for you
At the time of discharge from the hospital, your pediatrician will advise you to schedule a follow up office visit. If you experience any of the following, you should call the office:
- Difficulty waking your infant.
- Difficulty getting your infant to latch.
- Your infant falls asleep during breastfeeding.
- Your breasts do not feel fuller before a feeding.
- Your breasts do not feel softer after a feeding.
- Your infant does not have several wet diapers and has fewer than 3 bowel movements in 24 hours.
- Cracked or bleeding nipples.
- If you are using a nipple shield or a breast pump or supplementing with bottle feedings.
- You are thinking of giving up breastfeeding.
What you need to know prior to discharge
- I can position my infant correctly at both breasts
- It does not hurt once the infant starts sucking
- The infant can latch to each breast
- I can tell when my infant is swallowing
- I know how many times in 24 hours to feed my infant
- I know how long to feed my infant on each side
- I know when it is time to feed my infant
- I know how many soiled diapers my infant should have each day and what they should look like
- I know what jaundice is and when to call my pediatric office
