Breastmilk - The Perfect Food

Breastmilk is best. Be confident in your ability to breastfeed! The more you practice, the easier it is.  Sugar water or formula is not needed.

The First Feedings

• Breastfeed soon after delivery, within the first hour of life, if possible. The baby is most awake right after birth.
• RELAX! Be patient. Breastfeeding is a learning process for both you and your baby.
• Place you and your baby "tummy to tummy" with baby's mouth directly in front of your nipple.
• Lightly tickle baby's lower lip with your nipple and wait until baby's mouth opens wide. Place as much as possible of the dark part of your breast into the baby's mouth.
• Try to breastfeed about 10-15 minutes on each breast. Short, frequent feedings are best. In the beginning, you may need to unwrap and lightly touch your baby to help keep baby awake while nursing.
• Slip your fingertip into the side of baby's mouth and between baby's gums to release suction before you take nipple out of baby's mouth.
• Use both breasts. At each feeding, switch the breast you offer first. 
• Allow nipples to air dry after each feeding.

Breastfeed frequently: 8 - 12 times in 24 hours or every 1-1/2 to 3 hours. The more you breastfeed, the more milk your body will make. During the day, wake the baby and offer your breastmilk at least every 3 hours, even if your baby doesn't seem hungry. It's okay to breastfeed to comfort your baby. Remember, all babies have fussy periods.

Use a variety of positions: Madonna or cradle, side lying, or football hold.

A breastfed baby's stools are soft and liquid. In the beginning, the baby has many stools which are dark (black to green) at first, and then slowly changes to yellow with small curds.

Mother's breasts feel full and firm for 3-7 days after the birth of baby. When the swelling goes away, it does not mean the milk supply has decreased. Keep breastfeeding 8-12 times in 24 hours to build up your milk supply.

Baby is Feeding Enough When

During the first week, baby has 3-4 wet diapers in 24 hours, normally containing soft stool. After one week of age, baby has 6-8 wet diapers in 24 hours. Baby continues to gain weight.

Growth spurts normally occur around 10-14 days, 4-5 weeks, 3 months and 6 months of age. Your baby will seem fussy and want to breastfeed every 1-1/2 to 
2 hours. This is nature's way of increasing your milk supply. This won't last long! After 1-2 days, the baby will be able to go longer between feedings.

The Older Baby

Wait until the baby is 3-4 weeks old, if you want to introduce a supplemental bottle. Giving a bottle earlier may confuse the baby about how to suck.

Feeding frequently changes from 8-12 times in 24 hours for the first 3 weeks, to 6-8 times in 24 hours when the baby is 6 to 12 months old.

Contact the Madison Breastfeeding Promotion Network or phone your breastfeeding counselor: