Feeding, sleeping, and diapering: Baby’s first week

It is normal for your baby to want to be held and nursed almost constantly during the first couple of days or nights. Being close to you helps your baby adjust to his or her new surroundings.

Frequent nursing is also important for you — it helps your body make mature milk. The frequency of nursing will likely decrease within the first week of your baby’s life.

Tips for the first few days:

• Remember to give your baby lots of skin-to-skin contact. This provides comfort to your baby and allows you to learn your baby’s feeding cues. Your partner can hold baby skin-to-skin, too.
• For extra-fussy periods when baby has already fed, try swaddling, or let your baby suck on a clean finger. Pacifiers are not recommended until breastfeeding is well established, in a month or so.
• Sleep when your baby sleeps. Your partner or support person can help hold your sleeping baby so you can rest.

Today, your baby should become more alert and active at the breast. Breastfeed your baby at least every 90 minutes to 3 hours — whenever he or she is alert enough to feed. Watch your baby for feeding cues. Crying is a late sign of hunger, and it will be more difficult for your baby to successfully latch on to the breast when upset.

Tips for day 2:

• Your baby should have at least 2 wet diapers and 1 to 2 bowel movements. A breastfeeding log can help you keep track of feedings and diaper changes.
• Offer both breasts at each feeding, but don’t worry if your baby doesn’t want the second breast.
• Your baby may nurse on both breasts, sleep 5 minutes, and then want to nurse a little more. This is normal. Breastfeeding is more than just food for your baby. It is also comforting and nurturing.
• Take good care of yourself. Sleep when your baby sleeps, drink lots of fluids, and eat healthy foods, including fiber. Feeling your best will help you enjoy your new baby!

Your baby may be more awake and interested in feeding today. Continue to nurse your baby on demand, or at least 8 to 12 times in 24 hours. Supplementing with formula is not necessary unless your doctor or lactation consultant has recommended it. Your baby’s stomach is now the size of a walnut, and it is preparing for the expected increase in your milk supply over the next few days.

On day 3, you should look for:

• 3 wet diapers and 3 or more bowel movements
• Stools starting to change from dark green to yellow
• Swallowing sounds after every 1 to 3 sucking movements while your baby is at the breast

Your breasts may begin to feel fuller, warmer, or heavier on days 2 to 4. Here are some tips to prevent engorgement (painful swelling of the breasts):

• Make sure your baby latches on well and empties your breasts. Your breasts should feel softer after a feeding and your baby should look relaxed and satisfied.
• Nurse frequently, as often as your baby demands. Your baby should still be nursing 8 to 12 times in 24 hours.
• Take a warm shower or apply moist heat to your breasts before nursing and gently massage your breasts in a circular motion (moving toward your nipple from the outside edge of your breast).
• Apply a cool compress to the breasts for 10 to 20 minutes after nursing to help relieve swelling.
• Do not supplement with formula unless directed, as this may make engorgement worse and reduce milk supply.
• Express milk before nursing to help your baby latch on. If engorgement or poor latch-on persists, call a lactation consultant for help.

Click here to learn more about the difference between breast fullness and breast engorgement.

Your baby should still be nursing at least 8 to 12 times in 24 hours and having at least 4 wet diapers and 3 or more yellow bowel movements. The breastfeeding log can help you keep track of this. You may notice that your baby has a bowel movement every time he or she nurses now.

Your breasts will continue to feel heavier and firmer as you make more milk. Since your baby is getting more milk, you should notice 5 to 6 wet diapers and three or more yellow bowel movements.

Your breast milk is most likely flowing well now, and your baby should have 6 to 8 wet diapers and at least 3 bowel movements every day. Your baby should regain his or her birth weight by 10 to 14 days of age.

Here are some things to keep in mind over the next few weeks and months of breastfeeding:

• Breastfed babies do not need bottles of water or formula. Breast milk supplies everything your baby needs for the first 6 months of life.
• The more you nurse, the more milk you will make.
• Your breasts may feel softer and less full after about 2 months. This does not mean you have less milk.
• If you will be returning to work, talk to a lactation consultant about the best time to start pumping and storing your milk, and introducing a bottle.

Click here to download a Feeding and Diapering Log. You can use it to chart your baby’s daily schedule and bring to your first few appointments.

Congratulations on the first week with your new baby! You and your baby will enjoy the benefits of breastfeeding for a lifetime.