Idaho CareLine: In Idaho, Dial 2-1-1 or 800-926-2588
Breastfeeding: The First Six Weeks
How to Make Milk The more you nurse, the more milk you will have. Breast size does not affect your ability to make milk. If you don't think you have enough milk, nurse more often and nurse longer each time to build up your supply. The thick, yellow fluid that your breasts first make is called "colostrum." It helps protect your baby from infection. When your milk comes in, about 2 to 6 days after birth, it will look thin and watery and may have a yellow or bluish color. It is the best food for your baby. Your breasts may swell when your milk comes in. This swelling goes away around the first or second week. You are NOT losing your milk. Nurse 8 to 12 times in 24 hours during the first 6 weeks. Breastmilk is made during the feeding. You have enough milk to feed your baby again soon after a feeding, even if you can't see or feel it. Avoid offering formula, water, or other foods to your baby. These will cause your body to make less milk because your baby will eat these foods rather than breastfeed. The more you nurse, the more milk you will make. Be sure to drink to thirst, eat a healthy diet, and get plenty of rest. Let your doctor know if you are taking any medications. Nurse your baby often Your breasts will make more milk How to Tell if Your Milk Has "Let Down" Signs that your milk has "let-down" to your nipples so your baby can nurse may include: — A tingling feeling in your breast soon after you begin nursing. — Leaking from your other breast while nursing. — A change in the way your baby is swallowing soon after he or she starts nursing. To aid "let-down," make yourself comfortable at feedings. You Can Prevent Common Problems Leaking Most new mothers leak. You will leak less over time. Until then: During feedings, gently press your other breast to stop the leaking. Wear nursing pads. Use those without plastic liners. Also you can use cotton hankies or make your own from soft, clean cotton cloth. Breast or milk cups may cause soreness and more leaking. Sore Nipples Breastfeeding should not hurt. Some tenderness the first few days or so is normal. Prolonged soreness is usually due to an incorrect attachment of the baby to breast. To avoid getting sore: Position baby tummy-to-tummy with baby facing the breast. Make sure your baby has your entire nipple and much of the brown part around the nipple well into his or her mouth. End feedings by letting baby detach or by putting your finger between the gums to break the suction. Rub expressed breast milk on nipples after feeding. Let your nipples air dry after feedings. Avoid soaps, lotions, creams, and breast pads with plastic liners. If you are very sore, start feedings on your least sore side. Call the clinic for help if you have soreness or pain. Uncomfortably Full Breasts Some fullness is normal in the first weeks. However, if milk builds up in your breasts they may feel uncomfortably full, hard, or warm to the touch. This is called "engorgement." To prevent it: Make sure your baby has your entire nipple and much of the brown part around it well into his or her mouth. Nurse at least 8 to 12 times in 24 hours using both breasts. Nurse at night and during the day. Make sure baby is sucking and swallowing. Listen for a suck-suck-swallow pattern. If you are engorged, take the above steps. Before feeding, put a warm washcloth on your breasts or take a warm shower. Massage your breasts gently to release a little milk before feedings. Begin feedings on the fullest breast. Between feedings, use ice packs to reduce swelling. If your breasts become red and tender and you have a fever, call your doctor. Correctly positioning your baby on your breast and nursing 8 to 12 times a day will prevent most breastfeeding concerns. Your Baby’s Fussiness and Growth Spurts Young babies, breast and bottle fed, are often fussy in the late afternoon or evening. It is not usually due to hunger, a wet diaper, or anything that you can fix. It is not because you have too little milk or something is wrong with your milk. Try not to get discouraged if you have a fussy baby. Comfort him or her as best you can. The second week is hard for many breastfeeding mothers. Your baby may go through a growth spurt and be extra hungry and fussy. Your breasts may return to their usual size. This is all normal. Your milk supply is fine. Go along with your baby’s need to nurse often. After about 2 days, your milk supply will be built up. Breastfeeding will get easier for you and your baby after the first few weeks. Your baby may have other growth spurts or days when he or she is hungrier and needs more milk: around 4 to 6 weeks, 2 to 3 months, and 5 to 6 months of age. Nurse more often until your milk supply catches up to the baby’s needs. The more you nurse, the more milk you will make. Who to Call for Help Taking care of a new baby is not easy. You may feel tired and full of doubts. Am I doing the right things for my baby? Do I have enough milk? Can I hang in there? Talking to friends and family about your experiences during your first weeks at home can be reassuring. Who will you call? Your mother, aunt, or sister who enjoyed nursing her child(ren). Your friend who nursed and enjoyed it. WIC staff. A woman you met at WIC or LaLeche League classes who enjoyed nursing her child(ren). Your doctor. Your Lactation Consultant. For breastfeeding information and support in your community, call the Idaho CareLineat 2-1-1 or 1-800-926-2588. Revision of Breastfeeding Basics: The First Six Weeks (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: 402E (1989). Revised 1998. IDHW-15,000-15570-03/98.
The more you nurse, the more milk you will have. Breast size does not affect your ability to make milk. If you don't think you have enough milk, nurse more often and nurse longer each time to build up your supply.
The thick, yellow fluid that your breasts first make is called "colostrum." It helps protect your baby from infection. When your milk comes in, about 2 to 6 days after birth, it will look thin and watery and may have a yellow or bluish color. It is the best food for your baby.
Your breasts may swell when your milk comes in. This swelling goes away around the first or second week. You are NOT losing your milk. Nurse 8 to 12 times in 24 hours during the first 6 weeks. Breastmilk is made during the feeding. You have enough milk to feed your baby again soon after a feeding, even if you can't see or feel it.
Avoid offering formula, water, or other foods to your baby. These will cause your body to make less milk because your baby will eat these foods rather than breastfeed. The more you nurse, the more milk you will make. Be sure to drink to thirst, eat a healthy diet, and get plenty of rest. Let your doctor know if you are taking any medications.
Nurse your baby often Your breasts will make more milk
Signs that your milk has "let-down" to your nipples so your baby can nurse may include:
To aid "let-down," make yourself comfortable at feedings.
Leaking Most new mothers leak. You will leak less over time. Until then:
Sore Nipples
Breastfeeding should not hurt. Some tenderness the first few days or so is normal. Prolonged soreness is usually due to an incorrect attachment of the baby to breast. To avoid getting sore:
If you are very sore, start feedings on your least sore side. Call the clinic for help if you have soreness or pain.
Uncomfortably Full Breasts
Some fullness is normal in the first weeks. However, if milk builds up in your breasts they may feel uncomfortably full, hard, or warm to the touch. This is called "engorgement." To prevent it:
If you are engorged, take the above steps. Before feeding, put a warm washcloth on your breasts or take a warm shower. Massage your breasts gently to release a little milk before feedings. Begin feedings on the fullest breast. Between feedings, use ice packs to reduce swelling. If your breasts become red and tender and you have a fever, call your doctor.
Correctly positioning your baby on your breast and nursing 8 to 12 times a day will prevent most breastfeeding concerns.
Young babies, breast and bottle fed, are often fussy in the late afternoon or evening. It is not usually due to hunger, a wet diaper, or anything that you can fix. It is not because you have too little milk or something is wrong with your milk. Try not to get discouraged if you have a fussy baby. Comfort him or her as best you can.
The second week is hard for many breastfeeding mothers. Your baby may go through a growth spurt and be extra hungry and fussy. Your breasts may return to their usual size. This is all normal. Your milk supply is fine. Go along with your baby’s need to nurse often. After about 2 days, your milk supply will be built up. Breastfeeding will get easier for you and your baby after the first few weeks.
Your baby may have other growth spurts or days when he or she is hungrier and needs more milk: around 4 to 6 weeks, 2 to 3 months, and 5 to 6 months of age. Nurse more often until your milk supply catches up to the baby’s needs. The more you nurse, the more milk you will make.
Taking care of a new baby is not easy. You may feel tired and full of doubts. Am I doing the right things for my baby? Do I have enough milk? Can I hang in there? Talking to friends and family about your experiences during your first weeks at home can be reassuring. Who will you call?