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First, be sure your baby is positioned tummy-to-tummy with you. Their mouth should be at the level of your nipple. Their ear shoulder and hip should be in a line. Watch for your baby to open their mouth wide, like a yawn, then pull baby to your breast making sure baby takes your nipple and approximately 1 inch of your areola. Baby's nose should touch your breast. As baby sucks, the jaw should move as well as you breast tissue. Back to questions.
How often should I breastfeed?
Frequent, unrestricted breastfeeding is best in the early days after birth. Most babies nurse every 1 1/2 to 3 hours with one 4-5 hour sleep in a 24-hour period. Your baby needs to breastfeed 8-12 times in 24-hours. Back to questions.
How long should I breastfeed at each feeding?
Allow your baby to breastfeed without restrictions on the first breast at each feeding. A baby should breastfeed 10 minutes one breast every 3 hours minimum ~ more is better! Back to questions.
How can I tell if my baby is getting enough breast milk?
Count the baby's wet diapers. Your baby should have one wet diaper for each day of life until your milk "comes in" (about day 4-5) then baby should have 6 wet diapers in 24 hours. Your baby should also have 3-4 small yellow, seedy, runny stools. Back to questions.
When can I begin an occasional bottle?
Bottle feeding is very different than breastfeeding. Starting a bottle before breastfeeding is well established, usually about 2-3 weeks. If you plan on giving your baby bottles, it is best to start by 4 weeks. Back to questions.
Should I give my baby a pacifier?
Lactation consultants frequently find babies who suck on a pacifier in their early days get confused and sometimes do not open their mouths wide enough to latch-on correctly while breastfeeding. After about 2 weeks, babies usually don't get confused. Over use of pacifiers may lead to decreased milk supply, slower weight gain in some situations, and babies that give up breastfeeding sooner. Back to questions.
What is a growth spurt?
A growth spurt is a period of 2-4 days when the baby seems to be hungry all the time. The baby is suddenly growing and is building up the mother's milk to what is needed. Growth spurts usually occur at 7-14 days, 4-6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months. Back to questions.
Debra Derby, RN, IBCLC . Kathy McCormick, RN, BSN, IBCLC . Corinne Staples RN, CLC
(570) 340-2100 TTY (570) 969-9705
* How do I know my baby is breastfeeding correctly?
* How often should I breastfeed?
* How long should I breastfeed at each feeding?
* How can I tell if my baby is getting enough breast milk?
* When can I begin an occasional bottle?
* Should I give my baby a pacifier?
* What is a growth spurt?
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