Breastfeeding 101: The First 7 Days

Newborn Sleeping

Breastfeeding is a learned skill for You and Your baby! There will be a  week or two of getting to know your baby, learning to hold your baby and then learning to come together for a feeding. Give yourself some grace during this time. Ask for support and help, especially if you see that your baby is really not latching and eating and /or you are in pain. 

Babies can be sleepy in the first 24 hours (after that first feeding) and you may have to work hard to keep them engaged at the breast. Hand express (Hand Expression) often especially if your baby is sleepy to set the stage for a robust milk supply. Ask for help if you don't feel your baby is latching and eating 8X or more in that first day.

On the second day of life most babies nurse for long sessions (30-40 minutes) and eat 10-12 X every 24hr. This continues for most of week one. This increases milk receptors and creates a robust milk supply. You will be tired and feel overwhelmed. Feedings become shorter and more efficient over the next 2-3 weeks so you will get some reprieve. 

Most babies will have one stretch of about 3 feedings in a row on day two of life. (they might nurse 3 times between 12 am and 5 am with little break in between). As long as there are no signs of issues, this is normal and does not keep recurring. (your baby will experience growth spurts down the line). Reasons to reach out for help: The baby is sleepy on your breast and not actively eating (use the lactation consultants and nurses to help you identify active eating), your nipples are hurting or your baby is crying and not content after the burst of feeding or the frequent nursing does not stop. (Your baby is nursing every hour).

Newborn and Parent

Keep your baby in your room! Why? You will see the signs of hunger sooner. This will lead to more frequent nursing, higher milk supply, better weight gain, and easier latching. Babies have a reflex called rooting when they begin to be hungry. You can see this before they cry ( a late sign of hunger). If your baby is already crying, soothe them first with skin-to-skin contact before trying to latch. A relaxed baby will latch better. 

Pain is NOT normal. If the latch is painful or you are experiencing damage to your nipples, reach out right away to a Lactation Consultant. A very mild discomfort for the first 5 suckles is normal, followed by a pain-free feeding in the first week. After this first week, that initial discomfort will go away. It is from hormones that cause the nipples to be more sensitive. Pain with the latch also means that your baby is not getting all the milk they need. This leads to weight gain issues and a lower milk supply. 

Your breasts may enlarge and feel tender around day 3-5 post-delivery. This is called engorgement and signals that your milk is transitioning to mature milk. Sometimes this can make it harder for your baby to latch. Think of trying to take a bite of an overfull balloon. If this occurs, hand express for just 30-60 seconds or so to allow your areola to soften. Then your baby will be able to latch. For comfort, if needed, apply ice after feedings for 8-10 minutes. Be sure to place something between your skin and the ice. Please visit my blog on breast care for the full updated guide on managing engorgement, plugged ducts, and mastitis. "Plugged" Ducts and Breast Care

Count your baby’s pees and poops in the first week of life. This can help you know if they are getting enough to eat. This log will show you what to expect. Diaper Log

Accept help from friends and family, but don’t “entertain” them. They should be there to help you. They can cook, bring food, do laundry, hold your baby while you sleep, etc

Research and book a visit with an IBCLC in the first week after birth. You will have many questions, and we can help you avoid many problems. Babies are growing really fast, and what is normal on day 1-3 of life will be different on day 7-10. So, plan to connect with an IBCLC resource for your lactation journey. 

~Cathy Walker, MA, RN, IBCLC

Registered Nurse and Lactation Consultant