If you are new to breastfeeding, I've compiled some information that hopefully will be helpful to you:
Breastfed babies for the first COUPLE of months eat really frequently!! I can’t stress this enough. It’s NOT because you don’t make enough, it’s because the size of a person’s stomach is roughly the size of their fist. That means an infant’s tummy is REALLY small. Add to that the fact that breastmilk is very easy on the stomach and digests very fast – this means your breastfed baby will eat VERY often in the beginning.
Look at the number of wet diapers per day. Do NOT base this in the beginning off how much you can pump. Also, consider baby’s temperament, skin coloring, etc. (the caveat is that if baby has tummy problems, the temperament after eating may not be a good indicator because he may be in discomfort). Also, when nursing, look at baby’s cheeks – they should be going in and out as he is sucking and you should be able to see the neck muscles moving as he swallows.
- Breastfeeding is a learned skill – you must learn, baby must learn. UNLIKE bottle feeding, milk does not just come out, a baby must work to get the milk. Be patient, get help!
- It takes about a good 6 -7 weeks to really get proficient at breastfeeding – that means, baby knows what they are doing, you know what you are doing, baby isn’t constantly falling asleep or nursing non-stop. If you think after 2 days, 5 days or even two weeks you and baby will be an expert – you will be grossly disappointed and frustrated.
- This is SO important and I can’t say it enough, but breastfeeding is completely based on supply and demand. When you put baby to breast, it tells your body to keep making more. When you take away the breast and substitute a bottle, you ARE telling your body…I don’t need to produce milk right now. This is one reason why it is SO IMPORTANT to not supplement with formula.
- Initially, breastfeeding probably is harder than formula feeding, but in the long run it’s much easier. Why? There’s a lot to learn with breastfeeding. With bottle feeding, you simply put the bottle in and milk comes out. Little work for you and even less for baby (just think about it…all you have to do is turn a bottle up side down and the milk comes out. Not true of your boob!). But, once you and baby get into the swing of it, you NEVER have to run out for formula, you never have to worry that you didn’t bring a bottle, you don’t have to heat up a bottle, there are less bottles to clean, etc.
- If you can get through those first 2 months, I swear it gets TONS better. I PROMISE you that it is worth it to persevere.
Breastfed babies for the first COUPLE of months eat really frequently!! I can’t stress this enough. It’s NOT because you don’t make enough, it’s because the size of a person’s stomach is roughly the size of their fist. That means an infant’s tummy is REALLY small. Add to that the fact that breastmilk is very easy on the stomach and digests very fast – this means your breastfed baby will eat VERY often in the beginning.
- There is a general rule of thumb for breastfed babies that in the beginning they should eat every 2 hours. Here’s the thing, while that is true, you need to calculate the time from start of one feeding to the start of the next, NOT from the end of one feeding to the start of the next. Said another way…if you nurse at 2 PM and it takes 45 minutes. The next targeted feeding time is 4 PM, not 4:45!!
- Continue with the previous thought…during a growth spurt, it may only be a 30 minute or hour break between when baby is wanting to eat. Thus, if you feed at 2 PM and it takes 45 minutes, during a growth spurt, baby may be ready to eat again at 3 PM – yes, crazy. Go with it and remember this too shall pass.
Look at the number of wet diapers per day. Do NOT base this in the beginning off how much you can pump. Also, consider baby’s temperament, skin coloring, etc. (the caveat is that if baby has tummy problems, the temperament after eating may not be a good indicator because he may be in discomfort). Also, when nursing, look at baby’s cheeks – they should be going in and out as he is sucking and you should be able to see the neck muscles moving as he swallows.
- Breastfed babies will go through growth spurts. During this time, they may seem like they are constantly hungry. This is supply/demand at its finest…by increasing the frequency of nursing during the growth spurts, baby is telling your body to increase production. Common times for growth spurts are during the first few days at home and around 1 week, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 4 months, 6 months and 9 months. Keep in mind this is an estimate and your baby may hit their spurt slightly before or after. During this time, baby may seem fussier than usual – that is normal too. This is a REALLY important time to not turn to the bottle!!
- Once your supply is established, you won’t always have a sensation of full hard boobs. Don’t judge if baby is getting enough because your breast are or are not engorged.
I had a really hard time getting the hang of breastfeeding. If anyone knows how hard it can be, it's me. Seriously, get help, don't take any advice from someone who failed at breastfeeding, and persevere! It is a million times worth it!
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