Parent’s Guide: Breastfeeding Support & Questions

Before worrying about schedules or latching, check these symptoms to ensure your baby is safe.

“Is my baby getting enough?” This is the most common worry. Since you cannot measure the milk like a bottle, look for these signs:

1. Swallowing: You hear rhythmic swallowing sounds.
2. Satisfaction: Baby seems relaxed and content after feeding.
3. Diapers: By day 4, baby should have 6+ wet diapers and 3+ stools per day.

How Often to Feed (Frequency)

• Newborns: Feed 8 to 12 times in a 24-hour period.
• Intervals: This usually means feeding every 1.5 to 3 hours.
• Cluster Feeding: It is normal for babies to want to eat constantly for a few hours (usually in the evening). This helps build your supply.
• Sleep: If your newborn sleeps more than 4 hours at a time during the first 2 weeks, you should wake them to feed.

How Long to Feed (Duration)

• Average: 10 to 20 minutes per breast.
• Technique: Let the baby finish the first breast (until they pull off or fall asleep/hands open) before offering the second. This ensures they get the rich “hindmilk.”

1. Sore Nipples
   Mild tenderness is normal for the first few days as you adjust. Severe pain is not.
   • Check the Latch: The baby’s mouth should be wide open (like a yawn). The lips should be flanged outward (fish lips). The baby should take in the areola, not just the nipple.
   • Breaking Suction: Never pull the baby off the breast. Insert your finger into the corner of their mouth to break the suction first.
   • After Care: Rub a little breast milk on the nipple after feeding and let it air dry. You can also use pure Lanolin cream.
2. Engorgement (Swollen, Hard Breasts)
   This usually happens on Day 3 or 4 when the milk “comes in.”
   • Before Feeding: Apply a warm compress to help milk flow. Hand-express a little milk to soften the areola so baby can latch.
   • After Feeding: Apply a cold pack (frozen peas wrapped in cloth) for 20 minutes to reduce swelling and pain.
   • Frequency: Feed often! Emptying the breast is the cure.
3. Low Milk Supply
   • Supply and Demand: The empty breast makes more milk. The best way to increase supply is to nurse more often.
   • Fluids: Drink to thirst. You need plenty of water to make milk.
   • Rest: Stress and fatigue can lower supply. Sleep when the baby sleeps.

Breastfed poop changes rapidly in the first week.

• Days 1-2 (Meconium): Thick, sticky, tar-like black or dark green.
• Days 3-4 (Transitional): Greenish-brown and looser.
• Day 5+ (Milk Stools): Yellow, seedy (looks like mustard), and runny.
• Frequency:
  • First Month: Frequent stools (often after every feed).
  • After Month 1: It is normal for some breastfed babies to poop only once every few days or even once a week. As long as it is soft and the baby is comfortable, this is okay.

Vitamin D

Breast milk is perfect, except it lacks Vitamin D.

• Recommendation: Give your baby 400 IU of Vitamin D drops daily, starting in the first few days of life.

Maternal Diet

• Calories: You need about 500 extra calories a day. Eat a balanced diet.
• Vitamins: Continue taking your prenatal vitamin while breastfeeding.
• Hydration: Keep a glass of water nearby every time you sit down to nurse.
• Medications: Most medications (like Tylenol or Ibuprofen) are safe. Always check with your doctor about prescription drugs.