The first days of breastfeeding are about a change for the child outside the womb. The child wants to be close and feels calm about getting sucked on the breast.
Most newborn babies tend to be awake and spike between one and two and a half hours after childbirth. Feel free to start breastfeeding during this first waking period.
Place the baby between the breasts and let it search for itself. After a moment of rest, the baby usually looks for the chest and begins to suck.
When you start breastfeeding:
- It is important that you sit comfortably. Your child should be close to you and the child’s body should be completely facing you. The child’s nose / upper lip should be at the height of the nipple. If the baby’s back is kept straight, the chin will close to the chest and the head will be slightly bent back, which will facilitate breastfeeding.
- Attract the suction reflex by lightly stroking the nipple against the child’s upper lip. When your mouth is wide open and your tongue drops down you bring your baby even closer to your chest. The child should take care of the spring yard, not just the nipple. The lips should be folded to give more room for the breast.
- When the baby sucks, the cheeks should be round and the child should work with the entire jaw so that the temples move.
- Take care to practice breastfeeding when the baby is awake. Make sure the baby has a good hold on the breast and that it feels good to you. Very skin-to-skin makes your little one safe.
Children are different – want to breastfeed at different times
Be prepared for children to be different. Many children want to breastfeed the first 24 hours while others breastfeed once or not at all. The same goes for sleep and wakefulness. Some children sleep very much during the first 24 hours, while others are more awake. Read more about babies’ sleep problems.
However, it is common for newborn babies to be more awake in the afternoon, evening and night and sleep at their best during the early morning hours and throughout the morning. Take the opportunity to sleep then, you too.
Follow the baby’s rhythm
It usually takes one to two months to feel safe with breastfeeding and during this first time, it is easiest for you to follow the baby’s rhythm. Breastfeeding patterns change as the days and weeks go by.
Also, be prepared for newborns to want close proximity to their parents and many times the proximity is the only way to get the child calm and satisfied. Please read about a secure connection.
If the breastfeeding start is delayed for any reason, start over from the beginning when the opportunity is given again.
Remember, it is never too late to start breastfeeding – even if the baby is 1 week, 1 month or more. With training, patience and confidence, breastfeeding will probably work well.
To think about when breastfeeding
- Calmness and rest stimulate milk production. Try to plan breastfeeding. Pull out telephone jackets, employ any siblings, involve, whenever possible, dad or other “helpers”. Take every opportunity that is offered for rest and relaxation.
- Breastfeeding is not always easy to get right into. But it is important! Lie or sit comfortably, so that the muscles in the arms and upper body are relaxed. It may be good to take the support of a chair frame or a pillow. Keep your baby close to you – stomach to stomach and remember to bring the baby to the chest instead of the other way around. Think “chin in and nose free” so the baby gets in the right position.
- Not all children rap. Avoid waking the baby up by picking up and scrapping it after breastfeeding. If the baby gets air in the stomach it can give a false feeling of saturation. Therefore, if the child rapes, it may want to suck for a while.
How often should the child poop normally?
A child who is breastfeeding alone does not normally get constipation. Some children poop after every meal, others poop once a day while still other poop every 7th to 10th day.
When milk production needs to be increased
- Frequent breastfeeding increases milk production. Therefore practice “free breastfeeding”. That is, breastfeeding as soon as the child seems hungry or worried.
- Rest as much as possible.
- Do not give up too soon. It often takes between two weeks and a few months for milk production to start properly.
Leaking breasts
Most moms have leaking breasts the first time. For some, the phenomenon consists of the entire breastfeeding period.
- Press straight against the nipple with your index finger or hand and the chest will stop leaking for a moment. Usually a minute is enough.
- Does not help and you want to save on the drops, so use a milk collector.
- Breastfeeding cups to put in the bra can be of great help.
- Keep the breasts dry. Avoid plastic inserts.
Do you have trouble with sore nipples, dairy or a baby who never wants to let go of the breast? Read more about problems with breastfeeding.