Breastfeeding Basics — Getting Started

posted on March 02, 2009 11:18

Idaho CareLine: In Idaho, Dial 2-1-1 or 800-926-2588

Breastfeeding Basics:
Getting Started

How to Start and End Breastfeedings

1		Breastfeed as soon after birth as you and your baby feel ready. Make yourself comfortable — sit or lie down. Ask the nursing staff to help with getting started. Place a pillow or folded blanket on your lap to support your arm and baby. You may feel awkward or clumsy at first.

2		Hold your baby with his/her tummy to your tummy and your baby's lower arm around your waist. Your nipple needs to be right at your baby's mouth, so he/she doesn't have to turn to reach it. Hold your breast with your thumb on top and four fingers underneath, supporting the breast. Keep your hand behind the brown part around your nipple.

3		Lightly tickle your baby's lower lip with your nipple. After a few tries, your baby will open wide, as if to yawn.

4		Quickly center your nipple in your baby's mouth as you draw him/her in very closely toward your body. Make sure your baby has your entire nipple and some of the brown part around the nipple well into his/her mouth.

5		Pulling the baby in closely causes your baby to remain correctly positioned on your breast. Pull your baby's bottom toward you or lift up with the hand holding your breast to make an airway for his nose if needed. Listen for the baby's sucking and swallowing. You should hear a suck-suck-swallow pattern.

6		When your baby is finished nursing, he/she will let go of the breast. If you need to end the nursing, put your finger between the gums to break the suction. Burp your baby, then offer the other breast.

7		Keep track of the breast used last by pinning a safety pin on that bra strap. Use that breast first during the next feeding. Let your nipples air dry after each feeding.

How Often and How Long to Feed Your Baby

Your baby may do more nuzzling than nursing his/her first couple times at the breast, but these are good starts. Watch for your baby's hunger cues that tell you he/she wants to eat. Hunger cues include making eye contact with mother, chewing on a fist, pulling things to the mouth, and licking and smacking lips.

Let your baby feed as often as needed. This may result in a 3-minute feeding or a feeding well over 15 minutes. The milk at the end of a feeding has more calories than the milk at the start of a feeding. The longer the feeding, the more higher calorie milk your baby will get.

Newborns should nurse often, about every 1-1/2 to 3 hours (around 8 to 12 times every 24 hours). At first, feeding times will be irregular. After a few weeks, your baby will get into a schedule of eating every 2 to 3 hours.

If you have a sleepy baby who is not gaining very much weight, wake him/her every 2 to 3 hours in the daytime, and at least twice at night to feed. Your baby needs at least 8 feedings in 24 hours.

Breastfeeding Positions You May Want to Try


Sitting	Football Hold	Lying On Your Side
Use a pillow or folded blanket under your baby to raise him/her to breast level.	Place your baby on a pillow at your side in an “L” position. Bend your baby’s legs straight up so his/her bottom rests against the back of the chair. Try this hold if you had a C-section.	This position is good for night feedings. You don’t have to roll over to change breasts.

How to Tell If Your Baby is Getting Enough to Eat

Ask yourself:

Is my baby gaining a pound or more a month?
Weigh him/her at the clinic.
Am I nursing 8 to 12 times in 24 hours and is my baby content after feedings?
Can I hear my baby sucking and swallowing in a suck-suck-swallow pattern?
Does my baby have 6 or more pale colored, wet diapers in 24 hours?
Has my baby returned to his birth weight by 2 to 3 weeks?
After the first week, does my baby have 4 to 12 soft, yellow stools in 24 hours? Stools may look like cottage cheese or stains.

If you answered “No” to any question, try nursing more often and longer at each feeding.

Call your baby’s doctor if:

Your baby sucks only briefly, very softly or irregularly.
Your baby is very yellow (jaundiced) and getting more yellow.
You are sore and the soreness is not getting better.
Your baby fights the breast or cries after a minute or two of feeding.
Your baby has less than 6 wet diapers a day after your milk has come in.
Your baby has little or no stool, or has dark green mucus stools.
Your baby seems weak, tired, or not interested in feeding.

(Source: San Diego County Breastfeeding Coalition)

For breastfeeding information and support in your community, call the
Idaho CareLine at 2-1-1 or 1-800-926-2588.

Revision of Breastfeeding Basics: Getting Started (1998).
Many thanks to our reviewers: Kathy Eng; Bonnie Williamson, LPN; Patricia Warjack; Joanne Graff, CFCS, CLE; Joyce Schleis, RN, BSN, IBCLC; LaVonne Mills, MD; Jill Barnes, CA; Lori Bilodeau, RN; Kim Reynolds; Debbie Kannenberg, RN, IBCLC;
and many other professionals associated with hospitals and WIC clinics throughout Idaho.

ILLUSTRATED BY: Lisa Penny DEVELOPED BY: Idaho WIC Program, Department of Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0036
PUBLICATION NO: 401C (1989). Revised 1998. IDHW-20,000-15570-4/98.

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