Getting Started: The First Few Weeks

The moment has arrived – your baby is here, and it’s time to start breastfeeding. In an ideal world, you’ll have skin-to-skin contact with your baby immediately after birth, allowing them to initiate breastfeeding within the first hour. This early start can significantly boost your chances of long-term breastfeeding success.

Learning to recognize your baby’s hunger cues is crucial. Crying is a late sign of hunger – look for earlier signs like rooting (turning the head and opening the mouth), sucking on hands, or making lip-smacking sounds.

Achieving a proper latch is the cornerstone of successful breastfeeding. A good latch ensures your baby gets enough milk and prevents sore nipples. Here’s a quick guide:

1. Hold your baby close, tummy-to-tummy
2. Aim your nipple at their nose
3. Wait for a wide open mouth, like a yawn
4. Quickly bring your baby to the breast, chin first

There are several breastfeeding positions to try:

• Cradle hold: Baby cradled in the crook of your arm on the same side you’re nursing from
• Cross-cradle hold: Similar to cradle, but using the opposite arm
• Football hold: Baby tucked under your arm like a football
• Side-lying position: Both you and the baby lying on your sides, facing each other

Experiment to find what works best for you and your baby.

In the first few weeks, focus on feeding on demand to establish your milk supply. Feeding on demand means responding to your baby’s hunger cues whenever they occur rather than following a strict schedule. Your baby might want to nurse 8-12 times in 24 hours – this is normal! Remember, the more your baby nurses, the more milk you’ll produce.

When your breasts become overly full and uncomfortable, engagement is expected in the early days as your milk “comes in.” To relieve engorgement:

• Nurse frequently
• Apply cold compresses between feedings
• Try reverse pressure softening before nursing