Newborns require frequent feedings – approximately every two to three hours at first. When their growth spurts and teething symptoms arise, some feedings may need to be combined together in an attempt to meet demand.
Learn your baby’s early hunger cues, such as turning her head sideways and rooting. She may also start making small sounds or crying.
1. Establish a bedtime
Newborns are naturally very alert and eager to feed, which can make for some trying hours in those first 24 hours post birth. Breastfeeding experts generally advise feeding on demand – also known as responsive feeding – during those initial 24 hours for optimal milk production. Let your newborn dictate the pace and length of its feeds to make the experience enjoyable for both parties involved.
Once your newborn starts to settle and you recognize their tired signs – such as fussing, yawning or rubbing their eyes – it might be beneficial to establish a short routine before placing them down for bed. This doesn’t need to be formalised but simply repeated every time your put your newborn down for sleep.
This routine should include changing nappies, cuddling, singing and saying a sleepy time phrase before placing them in their crib. This will signal to your newborn that bedtime has arrived and help them fall asleep quickly. Ideally this routine should take place around 7pm during their drowsy window (usually 7pm; every baby varies), though every baby has different sleep needs and rhythms. According to NHS recommendations a simple bedtime ritual can help your infant learn to distinguish night from day time while simultaneously familiarising him/herself with idea that nights are for sleeping and days are for socialising and playing!
2. Get in the habit of skin-to-skin contact
Newborns are ready to start breastfeeding immediately following birth, and most will instinctively seek and latch onto their mother’s nipple within hours of giving birth – known as lactation. The initial milk produced, known as colostrum, tends to be thicker than breast milk and often yellowish-brownish in hue. Colostrum contains many antibodies and protective substances which will help shield newborns against illness or infection.
Babies may take time to master latching properly, and finding an effective “latch” may prove challenging. To encourage proper attachment, try gently tickling your newborn’s lips with your nipple or finger so they open wide their mouth and place their lower jaw deep onto your nipple – this should ensure they take most of the area around the nipple (known as an areola) into their mouth as they latch.
Mothers often find that during long breastfeeding sessions, their neck and shoulder muscles become very sore, especially at first. When this happens, having pillows or rolled blankets nearby to provide extra support can be invaluable in relieving strain and stress.
As soon as you can, during skin-to-skin contact, try to remember which breast your newborn fed from last and offer that one first at each subsequent feeding session. A breastfeeding chart or mobile app could also help keep track of his/her feeding schedule.
3. Set up a feeding area
Newborns should be fed as much as 12 times each day in the beginning, so create a comfortable feeding area and plan to spend some time there. Being nearby will allow for any accidents that arise, plus skin-to-skin contact can always be helpful. If it becomes difficult to wake your sleeping newborn up during feedings, try gently unwrapping (if swaddled) them before placing them on your chest where their sense of smell will help wake them up more easily.
When bottle feeding, ensure the bottle fits securely and use pillows or rolled towels as support for your arms if necessary. When breastfeeding, be sure to latch correctly; an improper or full breast can result in painful nipple soreness for both mom and baby; to ensure an easy and confident breastfeeding experience consult a lactation consultant or breastfeeding specialist who will teach you methods for getting an ideal latch position.
Be mindful that newborns may exhibit hunger cues like smacking lips, turning their head toward your breast (known as rooting) or wetting their diaper; so it is crucial that each feeding session be watched carefully for such signs. They’ll let you know when they’re full by slowing down, spitting out the bottle or turning away from breast-feeding; thus it would be wise to alternate breasts during each feeding session to maintain supply and avoid painful engorgement.
4. Get to know your baby’s hunger cues
Newborns only have limited ways to express their needs, making it essential to learn their early hunger cues. Crying is usually the last indicator that they’re hungry; other signs could include nuzzling against mother’s breast or bottle, nuzzling fingers against mouths, making an “mmmm” sound, licking fingers or making “mmmm” noises or sticking out their tongue – or turning their head toward either the nipple or bottle.
As newborns tend to want to eat frequently, be sure to offer only enough milk for them to consume without overfeeding resulting in constipation or diarrhea. Overfeeding could even increase their chance of illness!
Once your baby’s belly has settled down, they may start taking larger feeds less frequently – this is known as a growth spurt and is common among many infants.
At every feeding, it’s advisable to switch which breast you feed from. This helps prevent overfeeding and maximizes their intake of higher-fat/caloric milk (hindmilk). When they feel full, let your baby self-detach – it is their natural way of stopping eating and signaling that breastfeeding session has ended. A marker or small ribbon could be useful in noting which breast you last fed from or an app like Baby Tracker can also keep track of feedings; if there are issues regarding detaching please speak with midwife/health visitor/ breastfeeding supporter/supporter immediately for assistance if necessary.
5. Get in the habit of alternating breasts
Breastfeeding your newborn often during their first few days can help them become familiar with suckling, particularly during their first 24 hours of life. They may need to feed as often as every hour initially and usually at bedtime.
Newborns must suck to stimulate their mother’s milk supply – this process is known as the let-down reflex and results in your breast muscles squeezing milk towards their nipples – some mothers may even notice this sensation while watching their newborn sucking away! While some infants may suckle quickly while others will suckle more slowly or don’t suckle at all.
Alternating which breast your baby feeds on during each feeding session is a great way to ensure their nipple remains soft and prevent soreness, while simultaneously increasing milk production with supplements like lactation tea or infant formula.
At each feeding, your baby’s lips should cover all or most of the darker area on your areola (nipple). When they latch on correctly, their jaw will move back and forth as they suckle; additionally, you may hear low-pitched swallowing noises during nursing sessions.
Newborns typically sleep during most breastfeeding sessions, but should wake up for feedings by patting, stroking or undressing them. Any of these actions may help wake them up so they can feed again.
6. Get in the habit of letting your baby self-detach
Your breasts will begin producing pre-milk (colostrum) within hours after giving birth, which contains thicker than usual milk and antibodies to protect your baby against infections.
Your newborn will start searching for their nipple when in skin-to-skin contact and, if hungry, may latch onto it quickly. When they’re ready to feed, you should detect rhythmic sucking patterns of four or five suckings separated by five to ten seconds pauses – an indicator that they may be feeding successfully!
The optimal breastfeeding position should be comfortable for both of you. Prop up your baby as necessary with a pillow to achieve an ideal positioning between their breasts and yours.
Tickle your baby’s lips gently to encourage him/her to open up their mouth wide for optimal latch. Their mouth should cover most of your areola (the darker area enclosing your nipple).
Newborns require frequent feedings during the first weeks, typically every 1 to 3 hours and even throughout the night. As more newborns eat, your body will produce more milk to meet their demand. Furthermore, it’s important not to let your newborn fall asleep while nursing as this could interfere with their natural sleep cycle; when finished nursing offer them another breast or use one of the soothing techniques we discussed previously in order to comfort them and bring down stress levels.