In the 24 hours after giving birth, breastfeeding can play a critical role in helping your newborn establish their feeding skills and your milk supply. Breastfeeding may begin within 30 minutes postbirth if both mother and baby are ready.
Breastfeeding newborns typically breastfeed eight to 10 times in 24 hours; however, depending on growth spurts or hunger cues they may feed more frequently or less often than that.
Establishing a routine
Breastfeeding your baby provides her with essential nutrition while also giving her the opportunity to bond and communicate with you. In order for breastfeeding to be an enjoyable experience for both you and your infant, establishing a routine is key.
Breastfeeding a newborn can be challenging in its initial weeks of life; but over time you and your infant will find your breastfeeding rhythm becoming easier to manage.
Follow some basic guidelines when setting up a breastfeeding routine, such as offering both breasts at every feed and setting a reminder for feedings.
Newborns can be very hungry, often wanting to nurse every 1 to 3 hours throughout the day. This is normal and can help increase your milk supply.
Your baby will be able to recognize the signals of hunger, and respond by nursing, creating a sense of satisfaction and security, which could set up healthy feeding habits that last their entire lives.
Once your baby is full, they should detach themselves from the breast and appear sleepy and relaxed. When this occurs, burp your baby before moving on to another breast.
While this can help create a natural rhythm for you and your baby, keep in mind that as their stomach expands the amount of milk she requires may change as she does.
As your newborn regains her birth weight, this method may still be helpful during her first month of life; however, you will need to space out each feeding. Feedings should occur every two or three hours during the daytime hours, with at least twice nightly feedings until her weight has returned to pre-pregnancy levels.
During this period, it’s essential that both you and your baby stay hydrated by drinking lots of fluids and eating well. Since it can be difficult to detect when hunger signals change, scheduling feedings as soon as you detect changes is wise.
Your healthcare provider will recommend an optimal number and timing of breastfeeding sessions each day, helping to create a consistent pattern for feedings. They may also suggest that you enlist help from friends or family with chores, meals and any other activities during this special time, to make both of you feel cared for during this transitional phase. Having such a strong support network in place can make the experience of nursing more manageable and ensure both of you feel cared for throughout.
Establishing a feeding position
One of the key steps in developing a breastfeeding routine is finding a feeding position that suits both you and your baby. A comfortable feeding position will promote effective latches, promote nipple health and make feeding simpler for baby.
Cradle hold is the go-to breastfeeding position for newborns and typically provides optimal latch. Additionally, you could try cross-cradle nursing position (see below). Both positions may prove difficult to master with newborns so having an experienced breastfeeding expert on hand to show you how to position them for maximum breastfeeding comfort may prove invaluable.
Cradle Hold – To perform this movement, lift your baby and position them directly against you with their back and neck in alignment. Gently rest their head in the crook of your arm; use your forearm to support their entire body.
Once in an optimal position, bring their head gently over to your nipple and move it closer to their mouth – this helps activate their instinctive breast-latching reflex and can be an excellent way to communicate during feedings.
Other popular positions for breastfeeding include lying on your side with your belly touching that of the baby and dangling your nipple in their mouth while crouching over them. Both positions can be very relaxing; just ensure their ears and shoulders are level with your bottom to prevent straining them.
Nursing pillows can also help position your baby during feeds, such as traditional C-shaped ones. This may be beneficial if they have reflux as this allows them to remain upright while remaining relaxed during their feeding experience.
As with anything, it’s essential to keep in mind that each mother and baby will find their ideal feeding position. Most importantly, both parties need to feel at ease while feeding themselves and each other.
Establishing a feeding time
Establishing a feeding routine that works well for both you and your baby is crucial in creating an enjoyable breastfeeding relationship. By anticipating their hunger and providing them with essential nutrition, a feeding schedule allows you to rest while bonding with baby at the same time.
Within the first week after giving birth, it’s vitally important that your infant be fed at least every two or three hours to allow your breasts to produce more milk and establish an adequate supply.
Keep a written log of all of your feedings so that you can adhere to a set schedule, while also developing the latch technique necessary for breastfeeding success later on.
Newborns vary greatly in their sucking strength, which has an impact on how long it takes for them to empty a bottle or breast (Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences 1991). This is particularly pertinent to low birth weight babies or premature infants who may lack sufficient strength in their sucking muscles to do the job efficiently.
Once your baby reaches 3 to 4 months, they should begin establishing more predictable feeding patterns. You should notice they typically feed every two or three hours during the daytime hours, while spaced out their night feedings.
Though it may seem excessive, newborns need to feed frequently in order to regain any lost weight and establish an effective eating pattern that will enable them to gain healthy weight quickly and strengthen themselves as they develop into adulthood.
Though a feeding schedule can help establish a breastfeeding routine, it is essential to remember that your baby will know when they have had enough to eat. You should watch for signs that they have reached fullness (such as slowing down, spitting out their bottle or unlatching from breast, closing their mouth or turning away) and stop feeding when these occur.
Establishing a feeding schedule may seem time consuming and tedious, but setting one is essential to developing an efficient breastfeeding pattern that benefits you and your newborn. Scheduling feedings gives you time to rest and bond with your new arrival while helping avoid interruptions to daily life.
Establishing a feeding location
When feeding your infant, finding an ideal feeding position that you and both parties involved can enjoy is key. Cradle hold is often chosen, though many mothers use pillows to support both baby and themselves during feedings.
Baby beds, cribs and highchairs can be found at almost any department store or nursery. A favorite among parents for years, the Graco infant glider comes in various colors and designs to meet any taste or budget.
If you plan on breastfeeding your infant for an extended period, requesting hospital rooming-in services could make life much simpler by helping establish an effective feeding routine without having to rush around all day and night.
Discovering your baby’s size is one of the most exciting parts of becoming a new parent! Most babies typically weigh 8-13 pounds; larger infants may reach 13 pounds or higher. Knowing their exact weight allows you to choose appropriate clothing, bibs and toys accordingly; just be mindful that they will continue growing at a healthy rate – they may outgrow some items very quickly!