When should I feed baby? When they're hungry.
Nurse at the first signs of hunger (stirring, rooting, hands in mouth) - don't wait until baby is crying. If you wait too long, baby will be too upset to get a good latch.
After baby is home from the hospital, she should nurse approximately every 2 to 3 hours during the day, and every 3 to 4 hours at night. Let baby nurse for at least 15 - 20 minutes at the breast or until they are satisfied. Then offer the second breast.
How many months should I breastfeed for? 6+ months.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of of an infant's life. Why? Because breast milk promotes sensory and cognitive development. It protects the infant against infectious and chronic diseases. Exclusive breastfeeding reduces infant mortality due to common childhood illnesses and helps for a quicker recovery during illness.
Breast milk is the natural first food for babies, it provides all the energy and nutrients that the infant needs for the first months of life, and it continues to provide up to half or more of a child's nutritional needs during the second half of the first year, and up to one-third during the second year of life.
How do I know if baby is getting a good latch? Follow the guidelines.
5 signs of a good latch:
- No pain after the initial latch on
- Baby has a mouthful of breast tissue, especially near the lower jaw, and isn't latched just onto the nipple
- Baby's top and bottom lips are 'flanged' out (you should see the pinks of his lips)
- Baby's cheeks look normal. Not dimpling or drawn-in as if he was sucking a straw.
- Your hear baby swallowing
Is baby getting enough milk? Check the diaper.
They say the 'proof is in the pudding'. Your baby's diaper will tell you a lot.
Dirty diapers: In the early days, baby typically has one poopy diaper for each day of life (1 on day one, 2 on day two...). After day 4, stools should be yellow and baby should have at least 3-4 stools daily. Some babies stool every time they nurse, or even more often - this is normal too. The normal stool of a breastfed baby is loose (soft to runny) and may be seedy or curdy.
Wet diapers: In the early days, baby typically has one wet diaper for each day of life (1 on day one, 2 on day two...). Once mom's milk comes in, expect 5-6+ wet diapers every 24 hours.
Guidelines for when to call the doctor:
- Baby is having no wet or dirty diapers
- Baby has dark colored urine after day 3 (should be pale yellow to clear
- Baby has dark colored stools after day 4 (should be mustard yellow, with no meconium)
- Baby has fewer wet/soild diapers or nurses less frequently than the goals listed here
What should I expect from growth spurts? A very hungry baby.
A growth spurt is when baby nurses more often than usual for several days and may act very fussy. Common growth spurt times in the early weeks are the first few days at home, 7-10 days, 2-3 weeks, and 4-6 weeks.
It is okay, and expected to feed baby more often during this time as extra food is needed while they grow.
