My** Helpful Hints for New Breastfeeding Moms

1. Nurse your newborn often--it will probably be about every 1 1/2 to three hours. (And don't be surprised if he wants to nurse more often than that! 10-12 times in 24 hours is good; more than that is perfectly normal, too.) Frequent and unrestricted breastfeeding is best. The more often you nurse your baby, the sooner your milk will "come in." Also, the more often you nurse, the less likely your baby will become jaundiced.

2. Feed your baby whenever he seems to want it--in other words, follow his cues. How will you know he is hungry? What are his cues, you ask? The following list shows some ways your baby will let you know he needs to nurse:

• squirming,
• increased alertness or activity,
• making rooting motions,
• snuggling or rooting at the breast,
• clenching his fists by his face,
• putting his fist in his mouth,
• sucking on his hands,
• making sucking sounds,
• crying--but hopefully you can catch it before he cries!!!

It may seem to you that your baby gives these signals often... that's good. I can't stress enough that some babies will want to nurse *very* often. It is natural and normal for a baby to want to nurse every hour--sometimes more, and sometimes less. Your baby may even seem to want to nurse "all the time." One mom put it this way, "My baby howls when she is not plugged in."

If you aren't able to tell that your baby is hungry until he starts crying hard, it can be helpful to realize that the best way to get to know your baby and to learn to read his cues is keep your baby close by you... in your arms and beside you in your bed. Also see Demand or Schedule Feeding?

3. I would be aware of when your baby last nursed to make sure he eats often enough. Babies should be nursed on demand, but in the beginning, I think it's important to watch how often your baby eats and make sure he eats often enough. (For instance, some babies are really sleepy at first and might not wake on their own to nurse as often as they should.)

4. If you want to keep tabs at first on how often your baby eats, it may be helpful to know that the time between nursings is figured from the beginning of one feeding to the beginning of the next--for example, to nurse every two hours would mean nursing at 2:00 and then at 4:00 and then at 6:00, etc. Remember, your baby may want to nurse more often than this... follow his cues (see number two for information on what it means to "follow his cues"). As long as you are 1) following your baby's cues, 2) you allow frequent and unrestricted breastfeeding, and 3) you are certain your baby is nursing often... at least every 2-3 hours, then I suggest that you consider throwing away your clock!!!!! Clocks can add a lot of unnecessary stress.

5. If your baby cries, there is a good chance that nursing will calm him down--even if you *just* nursed him... don't dawdle around when he starts to whimper. Quickly offer the breast!

6. Do not, I repeat, do NOT, give your newborn a bottle or a pacifier. The nipples on them are different from your nipples, and using them can cause "nipple confusion." Some babies get nipple confusion, and some babies don't, but it's important to realize that even using an artificial nipple *once* can cause some babies to have nipple confusion. Also, if they satisfy their sucking needs elswhere that at your breasts, that is less stimultation on your breasts, and therefore less milk is made. ***If your baby is not gaining enough weight, please do not give him a pacifier.*** Instead, offer the breast. Remember, the more often your baby nurses, the more milk there will be.

7. Let your baby finish the first breast before offering the second. Instead of watching the clock to see when you should switch sides, let your baby nurse until he pulls off himself. The first part of the baby's feeding consists of more watery foremilk which helps to quench his thirst. The last part consists of rich hindmilk... some have equated it to dessert. :) It's important to let your baby nurse as long as he wants on one side so that he can get the fattier hindmilk which is higher in calories and will help his tummy to feel satisfied for longer. (I will add more information on this soon!!)

8. Supplementation of any kind is rarely necessary for a healthy, full-term baby, but if for some reason you have to give your newborn formula or (preferably!!) expressed breastmilk, you can use a medicine cup or a dropper. (You can ask a lactation consultant to show you how to feed your baby with a cup or dropper.)

9. Make sure your baby is latched on correctly. Have a lactation consultant or La Leche League leader check to see if it is correct. Incorrect latching can lead to inadequate milk supply, and/or sore nipples. It should not hurt. Check out Attaching Baby to the Breast by Dr. William and Martha Sears, RN, IBCLC. This article discusses latching on and proper positioning. It goes through the whole process, step-by-step, and includes helpful illustrative photos.

10. Ask for help before you need it. See my Where to Get Help page.

*More to come*

Where to Get Help
Breastfeeding Questions
Home

**These are my opinions gotten from experience and reading. For medical advice, please contact your health care provider. He/she may refer you to a lactation consultant.**

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