Breastfeeding: the first few days

In the first days your baby drinks colostrum, the first milk, which is thick and yellow. They need only about a teaspoonful at each feed. Your baby may want to feed every 1 to 3 hours, at least 8 to 12 times in 24 hours. Your milk usually comes in 2 to 4 days after the birth.

Breastfeeding takes time to learn, for you and your baby. It is normal for the first weeks to be hard.

Skin-to-skin contact

Hold your baby naked against your chest as soon as you can after the birth. It keeps your baby warm and calm, steadies their breathing and helps them find the breast on their own. You can do it after a caesarean too. If it is delayed, for example because your baby needs special care, you can start later without any problem.

How often

• Feed your baby whenever they are hungry, for as long as they want. You cannot overfeed a breastfed baby.
• Early signs of hunger are stirring, sucking a fist or fingers and turning the head to look for the breast. It is easier to feed before your baby starts crying.
• Night feeds help you make more milk.
• The more often your baby feeds, the more milk you make.

How to latch your baby on

1. Hold your baby close, with their body facing you and their nose level with your nipple.
2. Let their head tip back a little so their top lip brushes your nipple. This makes them open their mouth.
3. When their mouth opens wide, bring them to the breast, chin first.
4. Their chin should touch your breast and their nose should be clear.

Signs of a good latch:

• you can see more of the dark skin around your nipple above your baby’s top lip than below the bottom lip
• your baby’s cheeks look full and rounded
• quick sucks change to deep, rhythmic swallows
• it does not hurt, after the first few seconds

Ongoing pain or cracked nipples are often a sign that your baby is not latched on well. Ask for help early.

Is my baby getting enough milk?

Signs your baby is feeding well:

• from day 5 or 6, at least 6 wet nappies a day
• from day 5 or 6, at least 2 soft, yellow poos a day
• your baby seems content after feeds and wakes on their own to feed
• your doctor or midwife tells you your baby is gaining weight

When to get help

Talk to a midwife, paediatrician or doctor if:

• breastfeeding hurts all the way through a feed
• your baby is very sleepy, rarely wakes to feed or has few wet nappies
• your baby’s skin or eyes turn yellow
• part of your breast becomes red, hot and painful, especially with a high temperature

Sources we consulted

• NHS: Breastfeeding: the first few days
• NHS: Latching on

Written by the mam.al editors as general information. It does not replace advice from your doctor or midwife. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.