Medically reviewed by Mary-Ann Joseph, RN, IBCLC.
The weeks leading up to your baby’s arrival feel like a time warp. Your baby is in your belly, almost ready to survive and thrive on the outside, but yet here you are… still waiting, putting the finishing touches on the nursery, and a little bit (okay, a lot) of panic Googling.
One of those Google-worthy topics is breastfeeding. If you’re anything like me, the thought of your breastfeeding journey fills you with a mix of fear and cautious optimism. Here’s what I would text you if you were my friend about to have her first baby:
Hey girl! I hope you’re feeling okay. I know those last few weeks of pregnancy can be rough… hang in there! I know you mentioned you were hoping to breastfeed. I just wanted to share a little bit of what to expect for the first couple weeks because I had noooo idea. Use whatever of this is helpful! Know that however breastfeeding goes is not a measure of your worth as a mom. But you’ve got this, and I’m here if you need anything! 💗💪
Right after you deliver, Golden hour is so helpful to get the breastfeeding hormones going and boost your milk supply.
Right after you deliver, Golden hour is so helpful to get the breastfeeding hormones going and boost your milk supply. Labor can be long and tiresome, but when your baby comes out, you’ll most likely experience a rush of energy like never before! If you can, put your baby on your chest right after delivery. It’ll help both of you adjust and bond in the hour after delivery. It’ll also signal to your body that your baby is here and it’s time to ramp up the milk production! Your baby may latch during golden hour or not until you go down to the mother-baby unit, but try to keep your baby on your skin until the first feeding if at all possible.
The first 24 hours, your baby might be sleepy.
The first 24 hours, your baby might be sleepy. Labor isn’t just intense for you, it’s intense for your baby, too! Your baby might be sleepy and may have a hard time waking up to eat. That is so normal. Lay your baby on your chest and do some skin-to-skin before feeding them. Not only will your baby wake up a little bit after being unswaddled, but the smell of mom will make your baby hungry! Don’t worry in the early hours even if your baby does not eat, skin-to-skin can help keep babies blood sugar stable.
That toe-curling latch pain can be common, and no, it doesn’t last forever.
That toe-curling latch pain can be common, and no, it doesn’t last forever. Severe pain while latching can mean your baby isn’t latching properly or other issues like tongue, cheek, or lip ties. Your lactation consultant in the hospital will be able to check for these common feeding hang-ups. But let’s be honest, having a baby attached to your body for hours and hours a day can take some time to get used to. Give your body time to adjust and yourself some grace as you get through those early breastfeeding days. It won’t be like this forever!
The second day, you may feel like all your baby does is eat.
The second day, you may feel like all your baby does is eat. Once your baby wakes up a little, they’ll realize they’re outside of the womb and get hungry! Your body is still likely producing colostrum at this point, which is perfect for what your baby needs. But your baby is working hard to bring your mature milk in, too, and that beautiful supply and demand system will be at work to bring in your milk. Hang in there! Your baby will only get more and more efficient at feeding, and those hour-long nursing sessions will decrease in frequency and length sooner than you think.
P.S. Your milk is the best treatment for your nipples. Learn how to hand express and rub the milk into the nipple and areola. It has fats, germ killing properties and can even make skin grow back! Some ladies throw some nipple cream into their bags and find it helpful but it is always a good idea to try your own milk first and a bonus is that you always have it with you! If you have nursing bras, bring them along, too! But don’t worry if you don’t, It can be easier to feed without them in the early days.
Your milk will (probably) come in between day 3 and day 5.
Your milk will (probably) come in between day 3 and day 5. All that hard work your baby does to bring your milk in will pay off! Your body is producing mature milk finally, which fills up your breasts much more than colostrum. Your breasts will be engorged, meaning they are hard, large, and likely painful. Your breasts have milk in them plus some extra fluid. It’s helpful to lay flat on the bed and gently massage the breast toward your armpit and chest well. This can help with the extra fluid so the milk will express easier. Having a pump on stand-by can be helpful to relieve some engorgement in between feedings. Only pump enough to relieve the pressure, not to empty the breast. As your body is learning supply and demand, you don’t want to make your body think you need more milk than you do! After a few days, the engorgement should die down as your body learns just what your baby needs. If you notice they are very hard or red please call a lactation consultant.
Soak it in.
Soak it in.It can take time to get into a rhythm (for me, it took about six weeks), but it really is the sweetest to get those little baby snuggles and be able to do something so amazing with your body. Rest as much as you can (I know, easier said than done), and be sure to have lots of water and snacks nearby to keep with the nutritional demands of breastfeeding.
We’re here to help.
Breastfeeding is a beautiful experience, but it can be difficult. If you’re in need of some encouragement and wisdom, we have an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) on staff here at The Pregnancy Network. Get personalized support at our Greensboro or Winston-Salem locations. Appointments are free regardless of whether you have insurance.
Chloe Belk
Chloe Belk is a Communications Coordinator at The Pregnancy Network.