Getting to Know Your Breastfeeding Baby
Welcoming a new baby is an exciting and memorable time for you and your family.
As you begin to get to know this new love, learn how to stay tuned to your baby's language and behavioral cues.
Learning how to interpret your newborn's signals will significantly help your breastfeeding relationship.
You will also feel more confident as a new parent.
Getting Breastfeeding Off to Great Start
The golden first hour after birth is a crucial time for your baby to peacefully relax while getting to know your love with skin-to-skin contact. This precious moment will be your baby's first exposure to breastfeeding nourishment.
Skin-to-skin contact helps your baby feel comfortable with you and develop natural instincts to latch. This contact also promotes your hormones to produce milk and regulates your baby's heartbeat and temperature as he/she breathes and feels safe in your arms.
If your baby is not yet latching, hand express your first breast milk by collecting it in a small spoon or syringe. Do so at least every two hours to help stimulate your milk supply. You may initially need to feed your baby at least every two hours. As the volume of your milk increases, consider using a breast pump. You can nurse your baby using a syringe, cup, spoon, or bottle until he/she is ready to latch.
Take care of yourself first so that you can pour from a full cup. Remember to eat healthily and hydrate your body. You may feel thirstier as your body requires nourishment to produce healthy milk.
To help you stay hydrated:
Keep your water bottle next to you, as breastfeeding sessions can last up to 45 minutes.
Use a straw as you may need to use your other hand to breastfeed.
Always carry your water with you so you can easily access and stay hydrated all day long.
Create alarms to remind yourself to drink water.
Avoid (too many) caffeinated beverages that may cause your body to deplete the water supply.
Pay attention to if your urine is dark yellow, indicating dehydration.
How to Know if Your Baby is Well Nourished
Some signs may help you recognize when your baby is satisfied after nursing.
Are your baby's hands relaxed and open? (Baby may tightly clench fist at the beginning of the feed).
Does your baby come off your breast on their own? (Be careful not to rush your baby.)
Does your baby become relaxed and fall asleep? (Baby may feel agitated if hungry.)
You can also check the diapers and stool colors to ensure if he/she is well feed or may benefit from nursing style changes.
Newborns typically nurse eight to twelve times (it’s also normal to breastfeed even more times than 12) per day as their bellies are small, and they easily digest milk. Their stomachs slowly expand with their capacity to hold more milk.
Day 1: Tummy is the size of a cherry (1-1.4 teaspoons).
Day 3: Tummy is the size of a walnut (.75-1 ounce).
One Week: Tummy is the size of an apricot (1.5-2 ounces).
One Month: Tummy is the size of an egg (2.5-5 ounces).
Pay Attention to Baby Signs
Hunger Cues
Your baby may feel hungry, even when in a light sleep. If he/she stirs, roots, or makes sucking noises, then your baby may be becoming hungry. The cues will become stronger closer to nursing time. If your baby brings hands and fists to mouth, widely open mouth, and/or begins to move around, then it is time to eat immediately. Also, as your baby becomes irritated and starts crying, he/she may need to be calmed before feeding.
Soothe Your Baby
If your baby is feeling irritated or crying, here are a few suggestions to help relax your newborn. After your baby has calmed, he/she will more easily latch and learn to breastfeed.
Offer your breast and a skin-to-skin embrace to reduce stress for you and your baby.
Swaddle and offer a finger for the baby to stuck on and self-soothe.
Burp your baby or bicycle the legs. He/she may wiggle when it is burping time.
Loudly hush, sing, or hum to stimulate sounds your baby heard in the womb.
Rock, sway, bounce, dance, or place your baby in the baby carrier and enjoy a walk.
Do Not Over Simulate
Too much stimulation for too long can also be overwhelming. Fortunately, babies let us know when they want to play or need to relax. We can help them by paying attention to their distinct subtle clues.
Approach Cues: Baby Wants to Play
A few signs that your baby wants to play include if he/she:
Makes eye contact.
Grasps your finger or hand.
Places his/her fists near his/her hand or in the mouth.
Makes an "oh" shape with his/her mouth.
Avoidance Clues: Reduce Stimulation
Your baby may need to relax when he/she:
Looks away and avoids eye contact.
Tightly closes mouth.
Places his/her hands out as if to signal "Stop".
Arches his/her back.
Yawns or hiccups.
A few ways to reduce stimulation:
Relax your body (drop your shoulders and release any tension you feel).
Dim the lights to darken the room.
Make no sounds.
Pat or gently stroke your baby.
Place your baby in the cot to rest or sleep.
As you spend more time with your baby, you will develop better communication. Congratulations to your family! I am here as a resource to offer compassionate, evidence-based care to help you meet your breastfeeding goals.