The first week with your baby is a new time, but it can also be discouraging, especially if it's your first time. Discover our advice to start your breastfeeding in the best conditions.
Life can seem confusing after the birth of a child: you get to know it while you are recovering from the birth. Your emotions can be turned upside down (especially between the second and fifth day, when many women have a double whammy: their milk rush 1 and the baby blues ). Often, women also have this expectation (and pressure) to get back on their feet quickly and act like super moms. But one of the most important things you can do that week is just to be with your baby and start breastfeeding at your own pace.
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| What to Expect in the First Week |
When should I start breastfeeding my newborn?
It's important to try to breastfeed your baby in the first few hours. By latching on and suckling rhythmically, your baby will begin to activate your breast cells to initiate your milk production . It's not for nothing that it's known as the "magic hour"!
"Ideally, your baby is placed on your breast from birth to access your breast. He can choose to suck or not suck, but he'll have had a chance to try," explains Cathy Garbin, an internationally recognized lactation consultant.
"Just go with his little body and let him try to find your breast and take it (you can watch online videos of this moment, called "newborn crawl"). If your baby can't do this, a healthcare professional can help you find the right positioning. Baby-initiated breastfeeding, with the mom in a semi-reclined position, is a good way to start. »
During this special first hour, don't think about weighing or dressing your baby, at least until the first feed. Enjoy relaxed cuddling and prolonged skin-to-skin contact with him. This moment will release oxytocin ("the love hormone") in both your bodies, which is essential for the production of your first milk: colostrum.
TEMOIGNAGE
"As soon as the midwives were satisfied that our son was healthy, they gave us family time (just my husband, our baby and me) to get to know each other. It was messy, emotional and absolutely wonderful. He breastfed twice during that particular hour together," recalls Ellie - children - UK.
And did you know that while he was suckling, your baby was helping you recover from the birth? Thanks to the secretion of the hormone oxytocin it causes your uterus to contract. During the first few hours after birth, this process will help you to expel your placenta naturally and reduce bleeding .
What happens if the birth does not go as planned?
In the event of a caesarean section or other complications, breastfeeding for the first few hours and a skin-to-skin time with your baby is always possible.
"If you don't feel able to hold your baby in your arms, the second most important thing for your baby is to have skin-to-skin contact with your partner. This will help her feel safe, loved and warm until you're ready," says Cathy.
If your baby isn't able to suck, it's recommended that you use a breast pump early and frequently enough to start your lactation, until your baby is able to latch on. "Breastfeeding as early as possible gives mom and baby a good start, but it's not essential," says Cathy. "The most important thing is to start your milk production so you can continue your breastfeeding journey. »
To start, you can express your milk manually and use the hospital breast pump to start your milk production. The colostrum you collect can then be given to your baby. Because of its many health benefits, breast milk is especially valuable if your baby is premature or suffering.
Don't think it's impossible to breastfeed if your baby is born prematurely or if he or she has medical complications that prevent him or her from breastfeeding in the first place. "I've worked with many moms whose babies didn't latch on at all for the first six weeks because of prematurity or other difficulties. All of them were able to breastfeed afterwards," says Cathy.
Is my baby latching on properly?
A good latch is essential for a good start to breastfeeding 6: Your baby's latch plays on the way he suckles and feeds, and therefore on his growth and development. Poor latching on can damage your nipples and make them sore. So never hesitate to ask a healthcare professional to check your latch, even if you've been told it's correct and you don't notice any obvious problems, especially when you're still in the maternity ward.
TESTIMONY
"Whenever I was breastfeeding in the hospital, I would call a midwife to check that the baby was being put to the breast," says Emma - children - Australia. "There were times when it was painful, when I thought I was doing the right thing, but luckily the midwife helped me to reposition my baby correctly. I felt more confident afterwards when I returned home. »
When your baby latches on, direct your nipple towards the roof of your baby's mouth. This will help your baby latch on properly, as well as part of the areola underneath. This way, he can pull both the nipple and some of the breast tissue into his mouth and feed properly.
"The latch should be comfortable and give a suction feeling rather than pain," explains Cathy. "Your baby's mouth will be wide open. Your baby's mouth will be wide open. His lower lip may be rolled up, but his upper lip will rest comfortably on your breast. Her body will let you know if she's feeling okay. This first step won't produce a lot of milk, so you won't see your baby swallow often. But he will suck a lot and feed many times"
How often should a newborn be fed?
The frequency and duration of breastfeeding can vary greatly during the first week. "The first 24 hours vary greatly from baby to baby. Some sleep a long time (it's tiring being born!) and others feed frequently," says Cathy. "This uncertainty is one of the most confusing things for new moms. Everyone will give you different advice; remember that every mom and baby is unique"
"Colostrum is thicker than mature breast milk and just as beneficial, although it is produced in smaller quantities. Colostrum allows your baby to practice suckling, swallowing and breathing before your milk goes up in larger amounts," explains Cathy.
By the time your milk comes in between day 2 and day 4, your newborn will probably be feeding eight to 12 times every 24 hours (sometimes more!), including night 7. These first feeds can last 10 to 15 minutes, or even 45 minutes to an hour, as the muscles and coordination he needs to suckle effectively are still developing.
"It's very intense at first, often more intense than you'd imagined, and that's what surprises most new moms," says Cathy. "They barely have time to go to the bathroom, take a shower or eat something. It's not uncommon for them to be surprised."
TESTIMONY
"For the first week, Frankie was feeding every two hours, day and night, and it lasted between half an hour and an hour," she says. "My partner and I were both exhausted all the time! "Camilla - 1 child - Australia
Do I need a breastfeeding schedule?
The good news is that frequent breastfeeding allows you to initiate your milk production 7. The more your baby suckles, the more milk you produce. So you don't have to bother with a breastfeeding schedule or risk reducing stimulation. Just focus on your baby's signs of hunger 8, for example :
- He moves in his sleep;
- He opens his eyes;
- He turns his head when he feels something on his cheek;
- Sticks out his tongue;
- She babbles;
- He sucks his lips;
- He tries to eat his hand;
- He gets cranky;
- He begins to whine;
- He cries.
Crying is the last sign to appear. When in doubt, offer your breast to your baby. It may be harder to breastfeed once he starts crying, especially at this stage when you're both learning. Chances are he'll feed faster and less often as he grows, so breastfeeding should start to get easier.
Is breastfeeding painful?
You've probably heard that breastfeeding shouldn't hurt, but in reality, many moms find the first few days uncomfortable. It's not surprising when you consider that your nipples aren't used to the strong, frequent sucking your baby gives them.
"The first few days can be uncomfortable as your body and baby get used to breastfeeding. If your baby stays at the breast for too long and doesn't latch on well, you'll experience the same effect as when you wear a new pair of shoes," says Cathy. "Just as you can damage your feet, you can damage your nipples. Prevention is better than cure, as the saying goes. Seek the advice of a midwife or lactation consultant if the pain persists after the first few days"
TESTIMONY
My son's breastfeeding seemed fine, but my nipples were damaged after the feedings, and I was sore all over. We discovered that he had a short tongue break and we were supported by a hospital to get the diagnosis and find a solution. "Mariah - 1 child - Canada
The first few days you may experience period-like cramps after your breastfeeding sessions, especially if it is not your first child. They are related to the oxytocin secreted during breastfeeding, which helps your uterus contract back to its original size.
During the milk supply, it is normal for your breasts to be full, firm, and certainly larger than usual. In some women, the breasts swell a lot and become very hard and firm. This may be an engorgement. Breastfeeding your baby regularly should help relieve the pressure. See the article on engorgement for more tips.
How often should I change my newborn's diapers?
What goes in must come out! Colostrum has a laxative effect that allows your baby to have his first bowel movement, called meconium. Its black color and tar-like stickiness can be surprising. But don't worry: they won't always be this way. In fact, breastfed babies' stools are often less smelly.
Here's how your baby's bowel movements evolve in the first few days:
Day One
- Number: at least one
- Color: greenish black
- Texture: sticky, tar-like
Second day
- Number: at least two
- Color : dark brown-green
- Texture: less sticky
Third day
- Number: at least two
- Color: brown-green to brownish yellow
- Texture: they will no longer be sticky at all
Between the fourth day and the first month
- Number: at least two
- Color: yellow (must be yellow by the end of the fourth day)
- Texture: granular (like old-fashioned mustard). Soft and liquid.
Baby's urine will be light yellow. A newborn baby normally urinates once a day... until about the third day, then three times a day, then five or more times from the fifth day. You'll notice that diapers get heavier after the first few days.
Is my baby drinking enough breast milk?
Your baby will initially produce only small amounts of milk, and you may be worried about whether this will meet your newborn's needs. If you breastfeed on demand, don't worry! You should produce what it needs. Count the number of diapers he's soiling, as explained above to reassure you. If he doesn't follow this pattern, you can consult a health care professional.
"In the first three or four weeks, most babies just eat and sleep. If your baby isn't feeling well and wants to eat all the time, consider seeing a healthcare professional," Cathy explains.
Your baby may regurgitate milk after a feed, so it's not a concern. However, if she regurgitates orange, red, green, brown or black liquids, or if she vomits in spurts, see a healthcare professional. Do the same if your baby has a temperature, blood in the stool, a sunken fontanel (the soft spot on his head), or if he hasn't regained his birth weight after two weeks.
If your baby is not showing any alarming signs and is following the weight curve of breastfed babies, he is drinking enough milk. Soon both of you will get into the habit and your breastfeeding will become more regular.
References
- 1 Pang WW, Hartmann PE. Initiation of human lactation: secretory differentiation and secretory activation. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia. 2007;12(4):211-221.
- 2 Shashi R et al. Postpartum psychiatric disorders: Early diagnosis and management. Indian J Psychiatry. 2015; 57(Suppl 2):S216–S221.
- 3 Moberg KU, Prime DK. Oxytocin effects in mothers and infants during breastfeeding. Infant. 2013;9(6):201-206.
- 4 Sobhy SI, Mohame NA. The effect of early initiation of breast feeding on the amount of vaginal blood loss during the fourth stage of labor. J Egypt Public Health Assoc. 2004;79(1-2):1-12.
- 5 Meier PP et al. Which breast pump for which mother: an evidence-based approach to individualizing breast pump technology. J Perinatol. 2016;36(7):493.
- 6 Cadwell K. Latching‐On and Suckling of the Healthy Term Neonate: Breastfeeding Assessment. J Midwifery & Women’s Health. 2007;52(6):638-642.
- 7 Kent JC et al. Principles for maintaining or increasing breast milk production. J Obstet, Gynecol, & Neonatal Nurs. 2012;41(1):114-121.
- 8 Australian Breastfeeding Association [Internet]. Feeding cues; 2017 Sep [cited 2018 Feb].
- 9 Jacobs A et al. S3-guidelines for the treatment of inflammatory breast disease during the lactation period. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd. 2013;73(12):1202-1208.
- 10 Lawrence RA, Lawrence RM. Breastfeeding: A guide for the medical profession. 7th ed. Maryland Heights MO, USA: Elsevier Mosby; 2010. 1128 p.
