Almost all moms can meet their breastfeeding goals when given the right information and support. Here is what the latest research and experience show to be the very best ways to get started off right and increase chances of success.

Remember the two most important things to protect your baby’s health and your milk supply:

  1. Feed your baby at least 8 times every 24 hours (after the first day of life).
  2. Remove your milk at least 8 times a day by nursing, hand expression, or pumping.

Feed your baby early

  • If possible, do skin-to-skin contact after delivery and often during the first few hours.
  • Try to breastfeed during the first 1-2 hours of life.

Feed your baby often

  • Try to feed your baby every 1-3 hours, about 8-12 times a day. The first day your baby may only eat every 4-5 hours (that’s okay!).
  • Try to feed 8-12 times a day, but your baby may only eat 3-4 times the first day (that’s okay!).
  • Feed your baby when they show signs of hunger; look for feeding cues.
  • If your baby is sleepy, try to wake them to feed every few hours. This may not be successful the first day and that’s okay.
  • Your baby’s stomach is small! Only 1/2 to 1 teaspoon big! Feedings are tiny; you may not even notice anything!
  • Colostrum is all most babies need.

Know what to expect

Knowledge is power! Many breastfeeding struggles and anxiety are simply due to a misunderstanding of what is the normal pattern the first week. Many mothers are worried about things that are completely normal and expected.

  • Most moms do not have much milk until days 3-4. This is fine for most babies. Full milk production is a little later in first-time moms and if you have had a cesarean section delivery.
  • Babies are supposed to lose weight for the first 3-4 days, up to about 10% of birthweight is normal.
  • They do not get back to their birthweight until 10-14 days old, sometimes a little longer for breastfed babies born by cesarean.

Learn the latch

  1. Be sure you are comfortable and not leaning forward. Bring the baby to you, not you to the baby.
  2. Be sure your baby’s chest is facing your chest, not the ceiling.
  3. Use a position where you are supporting the base of your baby’s head with your hand (cross-cradle or clutch/football hold) until you and the baby have gotten into a groove. You can also use laid-back or lying-down positions.
  4. Use your free hand to support and shape your breast.
  5. Stimulate the baby to open her mouth.
  6. Bring her head and mouth to your nipple, chin first then mouth.
  7. The lips should be flared out and resting on your areola and the whole nipple in the mouth. The nipple should be pointed towards the roof of the mouth.
  8. The chin should rest on your breast more than the nose.
  9. You should not have pain after 10-15 seconds (unless you have nipple damage already). If you do, take the baby off and reposition.

Get the milk out

  • Hand express (or pump) your colostrum every 2-3 hours if your baby does not nurse or is nursing poorly.
  • You can feed it to your baby with a spoon or syringe (but you don’t have to feed it every time).
  • Get the milk out!

Supplement safely

  • If your baby needs supplements, use a syringe, spoon, or medicine cup, not a bottle.
    Avoid bottles for the first 2-3 weeks if possible.