Breastfeeding Tips

Prenatal:

A spontaneous, natural childbirth with minimal interventions will maximize the chance of a successful breastfeeding relationship
Take a birthing class
Develop a birth plan to share with your health care provider
Search for a birth doula that can support both you and your partner during labor
Attend a La Leche League Meeting while pregnant https://www.lllct.org/ or https://lllny.org/
Purchase at least two comfortable “transitional” or “sleep” nursing bras for the first few weeks after birth
Set up your network of support for the first few weeks after birth
Recommended reading: “Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth” by Ina May Gaskin, Midwife, “The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding” by La Leche League International
Call for a prenatal visit, including a breast and nipple assessment

Immediate postpartum period:

No matter what type of birth you experience, immediately place baby skin-to-skin on your chest
Cover baby to prevent heat loss, but remain skin to skin to facilitate the mother-baby natural temperature regulation system
Skin-to-skin babies will usually find the breast and begin nursing within 30 minutes after birth
Avoid any mother-baby separation; enjoy full rooming-in, if in hospital
If medical issues prevent baby from being placed immediately on your skin, send partner to stay with baby until he/she can be brought to mother
Partner can perform skin-to-skin if mother is unable.

The First Week:

Nurse early and often; 10-12 times in 24 hours
Usual duration of feeding is between 20-45 minutes
Give both breasts at each feeding
If you experience nipple pain when feeding, ask for help right away
It takes 3-5 days for mature milk to ‘come in’ to your breasts
Breasts will become noticeably larger and fill with milk over 1-2 days
After Day 5, baby should have 6-8 wet diapers and 3-4 large yellow, seedy, loose stools (with a few extra streaks) daily
To prevent severe engorgement, nurse frequently.
If baby is not able to nurse, hand express or pump your breasts 10-12 times daily
Engorgement usually lasts for about 2 weeks
Limit visitors, both in hospital and at home, while you bond with your new baby
If you plan to sleep with your baby, make your room safe for bed-sharing
Attend a La Leche League Meeting https://www.lllct.org/ or https://lllny.org/
Recommended reading: “The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding” by La Leche League International
If baby is not nursing, stooling or gaining weight well after your milk comes in, call right away

The Second Week:

Get plenty of rest to aid in recovery after childbirth
Nurse on demand around the clock to help establish good milk production
Avoid using a pacifier until breastfeeding is well established
Baby should regain birth weight by 7-10 days after birth
Attend a La Leche League Meeting https://www.lllct.org/ or https://lllny.org/
Recommended reading: “The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding” by La Leche League International
If nipples hurt or if baby is not nursing, stooling or gaining weight well, call right away

The Third Week:

Take daily naps with baby
First growth spurt! Baby will nurse more frequently for several days in a row
Engorgement fades; breasts are less hard and milk production is regulating to baby’s demand
Attend a La Leche League Meeting https://www.lllct.org/ or https://lllny.org/
Recommended reading: “The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding” by La Leche League International
Time to purchase more nursing bras if yours don’t fit anymore!

One Month:

Baby will continue to soak 6-8 diapers per day
Stooling pattern slows down to 1-2 large stools daily, may skip days
Baby’s alert time increases
Usually nurses 8-10 times in 24 hours
Time spent at the breast is less as baby becomes more efficient
Attend a La Leche League Meeting https://www.lllct.org/ or https://lllny.org/
Recommended reading: “The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding” by La Leche League International
Now that breastfeeding is well established, an occasional bottle of your breastmilk can be introduced if desired

Six Weeks:

Another growth spurt! Baby will nurse more frequently for several days in a row
Crying peaks at this phase of baby’s life, be patient
You may begin to see social smiling from baby
Baby will continue to nurse every 1½ to 3 hours, with one long 3-5 hour interval of sleep (hopefully at night)
Attend a La Leche League Meeting https://www.lllct.org/ or https://lllny.org/
Recommended reading: “The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding” by La Leche League International
If you have to leave baby when you return to work in a few weeks, begin storing your milk. Call for an appointment for guidance on preparing to return to work.