Breastfeeding and baby basics
Breastfeeding: Learning the facts about newborns and being a new mom is important. Understanding how your body and your newborn baby work together is useful in two ways. First, before you have your baby, these facts might help you make the decision to breastfeed. Then, during those first few days and weeks when you are learning to breastfeed, remembering these facts can help get you through the rough patches. When you know what to expect beforehand, you can sidestep common pitfalls and have more confidence in your ability to breastfeed. Here is what every mom-to-be needs to know about the mom-baby connection.
Your baby was born to breastfeed.
Within a few minutes of being born, babies will automatically look to get milk from their mother's breast. Babies don't need to learn how to latch — it's Mom who may need some training. The challenge as a new mom is learning how to tell the difference between a baby who is hungry and one who is tired or just uncomfortable. Breastfeeding on cue will help you recognize some of your baby's hunger signs, such as lip-smacking and fist gnawing. When in doubt, always offer the breast. A baby who isn't hungry won't eat. Think of breastfeeding like a dance and let your baby lead. Be patient. Keep trying. You will get it.
Your baby's tummy is tiny.
At birth, your baby's tummy can hold only about one or two teaspoons. At one week old, your baby's stomach expands to somewhere around two ounces — about the size of an almond. Newborns typically lose a little weight in the first few days after being born. To make sure everything is on track with your baby's growth, have the first visit with your baby's doctor three to five days after coming home from the hospital. Meanwhile, by keeping a record of your baby's dirty diapers and feedings, you can tell whether your baby is eating enough. Use the feeding and dirty diaper charts below.
Do not give cereal to babies less than six months old, and don't supplement with formula without checking with your baby's health care provider. Remember, a baby's digestive system is still undeveloped, so you don't want to cause any unnecessary tummy troubles.
Your breast milk is unique.
Unlike formula, your breast milk adjusts according to your baby's needs and is easy to digest. Also, there's no weighing, measuring, or warming with breast milk. So you don't have to obsess over how many ounces your baby is drinking. Just breastfeed as often as possible, whenever your baby shows signs of hunger. In the first few days of life, your colostrum (the thick golden liquid that your breasts produce) provides all the nutrients your baby needs. And the volume of your breast milk grows along with your baby's needs in the following weeks and months. It's very rare that a mom doesn't make enough milk to feed her baby, so trust your body.
Your baby likes your skin on his or her skin.
In those first few weeks, newborns don't need all those cute little outfits. Skin-to-skin contact is important for your newborn's health and has emotional and bonding benefits for both parents. It's good to get Dad involved. For example, ask him to hold the undressed baby on his bare chest, maybe even right after a feeding. There's no such thing as spoiling a newborn, so hold your baby as often as you like.
Your baby likes to be snug.
Hold your baby close to your body when breastfeeding, with your baby's belly button facing toward you, not toward the ceiling. For large-breasted women, if your baby has trouble reaching your nipple when placed against your chest, try the football hold or side-lying positions until you find a position that's comfortable for both of you.
Your baby will cry.
Crying is how babies communicate. But babies don't cry just because they're hungry. They also cry when they're sleepy, gassy, or sick; have a dirty diaper; or just need to be held. Crying out of hunger is the last straw for a baby, who is just letting you know that Mom is late for a meal. It's always harder to nurse a baby who is crying and wound up, but you'll soon figure out your baby's nursing patterns and hunger cues so you can keep those hunger tears in check. (Note: If your baby is crying excessively, to the point of vomiting and weight loss, it could be colic. As always, check with your baby's doctor or nurse.)
Your baby needs sleep (and so do you!)
Babies can't tell time. In the first few weeks, there's no such thing as a baby “sleeping pattern.” Instead, new babies go through many little bursts of being awake and asleep throughout the day and night. Often, there are just a few long stretches of sleep. During those weeks, most of your baby's awake time is spent feeding. So, as long as your baby has plenty of urine and stool output, you only need to wake your baby to feed if it's been longer than four hours since the last feeding. If your breasts get very full, especially at night, try expressing some milk either by hand or with a breast pump. And remember to sleep when the baby sleeps. Your sleep is important too!
Making breastfeeding work for you
So, you've decided to breastfeed. Great! Now what? And for how long? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends breastfeeding for at least one year, and that families wait until their babies are six months old to start giving solid foods. Setting long-term goals may seem a bit overwhelming in the first few weeks, so just try to focus on giving breastfeeding a good try. Here are some tips to help you come up with a game plan to make breastfeeding work for you.
The two-week commitment
Once you've given birth, your job in those first two weeks is to concentrate on breastfeeding and recovering from childbirth. That's it. Just give yourself and your baby those 14 days. You may get frustrated. You may get scared. You have to learn how to breastfeed, the same way you had to learn how to walk. If you stumble, you get right back up. The reality is that the first few weeks are the toughest time for any new mom. Breastfeeding often gets blamed for being a hardship, but your body is also recovering from two major events — pregnancy and childbirth. So give yourself a little break.
So in the beginning, just focus on those first two weeks. Make that your goal. Mark it on your calendar. If after a few days you're experiencing pain and you've tried these tips on how to correct it, something is probably not right. Contact your doctor or nurse as soon as possible so that you can get some help.
The six-week groove
Once you have crossed the two-week line, it's time to set another goal. In general, it takes about six weeks to get into a breastfeeding groove. By then, your milk has fully matured, and you and your baby have found a good rhythm. You may have even started multitasking while breastfeeding or venturing out in public and breastfeeding your baby on the go. By the six-week marker, your baby should have had two or three well-baby visits at the doctor, so you can see how your breast milk is contributing to your baby's growth and development.
Going back to work or school
Every mom's situation is different. So whether you're returning to work or school in 12 weeks, six weeks, or even two weeks after giving birth, you can still plan to breastfeed if you can pump milk during the day. More and more employers are allowing their employees to work from home on a part-time basis. Even if you don't have that flexibility, be assured that plenty of working moms breastfeed despite their challenging schedules. Just be realistic about your goals, and also look at our tips for going back to work for more helpful information.
Making childcare and pumping arrangements
Going back to work or school is stressful enough. But as a new mom, you may have to entrust someone to care for your baby while you're earning a paycheck or a degree, which can add more stress. So whether it's a family member or a professional who is providing childcare, make sure he or she understands your breastfeeding goals and follows your instructions on how your baby is to be fed. If you choose a daycare facility or other childcare provider, consider finding a place close to your job. If your baby is younger than 12 months and you'll be away most of the day, you'll likely need to keep a schedule to maintain your milk supply. That's when a pump can help. Compared with the cost of formula, a breast pump quickly pays for itself, is sometimes covered by insurance, and can even be tax-deductible.
Going farther…gradually
Many moms find themselves breastfeeding for longer than they intended. With the right technique and the right support, breastfeeding gets easier as your baby gets older. Plus, once you can see how your baby is developing due to your breast milk, it can feel rewarding, and even empowering. Some working moms find that at the end of a long day, a quiet nursing period helps them calm down and bond after being separated from their baby. Once your baby starts solids at around the six-month mark, you will need to breastfeed less often. But, understandably, situations change, as do feelings. So if breastfeeding is going well, keep going. If not, talk to your doctor or nurse before you begin the weaning process. Ideally, weaning your baby is a gradual (not sudden) process. And keep in mind that every day you breastfeed, your child is healthier because of it.
