It is exciting to finally meet your baby! Do you wonder how breastfeeding works during the first few days? Here are the basics from birth to Day 4.

FUN FACTS

A newborn's stomach is as small as a marble. At birth, you have just the right amount of milk to fill it. Your breasts are never empty. When breastfeeding is going well, babies generally should do better without water and formula. Lots of breastfeeding brings in more milk faster. Lots of breastfeeding helps prevent engorged breasts. Typically, one mother can make enough milk for twins, triplets, and more. Keep your baby's skin touching yours. Feedings go better, and you make more milk.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Lots of breastfeeding. Your nipple may feel tender for the first minute or two then get better. If your baby fusses, you can offer each breast more than once. Expect 1-2 wet diapers each day and black stools. Up to 10% weight loss by Day 4 is okay.

THINGS TO LEARN

Practice breastfeeding lying down, so you can feed and rest. Help your baby take the breast deep in her mouth so feeding feels good. (For more on this, see "Latch On.") If it hurts, ask for help. Make sure your baby feeds at least 8 times each day. Feedings may be bunched together. Wake if needed. Find out where you can get breastfeeding help.

SOME REASONS TO SEEK HELP IN THE EARLY DAYS

If breastfeeding hurts the whole time or hurts a lot. If your baby loses more than 10% of birth weight.

To find a board-certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) near you, contact us at 866-583-8776

Be prepared. This is a time of intense breastfeeding. Here are breastfeeding basics from Day 4 to Week 6.

FUN FACTS

A baby’s stomach grows from marble to ping-pong ball size by Day 10. Most babies feed 8-12 times a day but not at set times. They may bunch feedings close together for part of the day or night. Babies may take one breast at a feeding, or they may need to feed from both breasts. More breastfeeding makes more milk. Most mothers make much more milk starting on Day 3 or 4. Drained breasts make milk faster. Full breasts make milk slower. Breastfeed only. Try to avoid pacifiers, water and other liquids. Your milk supply grows from about 1 ounce (30 ml) to about 30 ounces (900 ml) between Days 1 and 40.

WHAT TO EXPECT

If your breasts feel very full, breastfeed more or express milk. This will make you feel better, not worse. By Day 3-5, baby’s black stools turn first green and then yellow. After that, expect 3-4 or more yellow stools every day. Expect 5-6 or more wet diapers a day by Day 5. Your baby should be back to birth weight by 2 weeks. Then expect him to gain at least 6 ounces (170 g) a week or 1.5 lbs (680 g) a month. Your baby may want to feed again soon after breastfeeding. This is normal. Most babies sleep for one 4-5 hour stretch a day. It may not be at night.

THINGS TO LEARN

Breastfeed whenever your baby wants to. You’ll know it’s time when your baby turns his head from side to side with an open mouth or when he puts his hand in his mouth. Don’t wait until your baby fusses or cries. When he is upset, it’s harder to feed well. Use a hold that feels good for you and your baby. Learn to sleep while you breastfeed. Practice during the day. If breastfeeding hurts, get help. A small change in how your baby takes the breast may be all you need to feel better. Find a mother's group near you.

SOME REASONS TO SEEK HELP

If breastfeeding hurts. If your baby gains weight too slowly.

Even when breastfeeding is going well, you may still experience some of the following:

Your baby has fussy times. He wants to feed again soon after breastfeeding. He wants to feed more often. Your breasts no longer feel full. He wants to feed less often or for a shorter time. He wakes a lot at night. He will take a bottle after breastfeeding. You can’t express much milk. Your breasts may or may not leak milk.

You know you have plenty of milk when your baby gains weight well on breastfeeding alone.

FROM BIRTH - 4 MONTHS:

Your baby should gain 6 ounces (170 g) a week or 1.5 lbs. (680 g) a month.

Now breastfeeding should get faster and easier. Here are the basics from 6 weeks to 6 months. FUN FACTS Your baby's stomach has grown larger and holds more milk, so he may feed less often. Lots of breastfeeding at first means your milk supply is set. Most mothers no longer feel full, even with lots of milk. Babies need about the same amount of milk per day at six weeks as six months. Now breastfeeding starts to take less time than bottle-feeding. When breastfeeding is going well, a baby does best on mother's milk alone until about six months.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Older babies tend to feed faster. The baby who used to feed 40 minutes may now be done in 10-15 minutes. Some babies this age have fewer stools but gain weight just fine. Older babies may pull off the breast when they hear or see things going on around them. Until 4 months, expect a weight gain of at least 6 ounces (170 g) a week or 1.5 lbs (680 g) a month. From 4-6 months, expect a weight gain of at least 4-5 ounces (113-142 g) a week or 1 lb. (452 g) a month.

THINGS TO LEARN

Trust your baby to know the right time to feed. Practice breastfeeding around other people at home and elsewhere until you feel at ease. During feedings, you can use your free arm to hug your other children or read a book.

SOME REASONS TO SEEK HELP

If breastfeeding hurts. If your baby gains weight too slowly.

Even when breastfeeding is going well, you may experience some of the following:

Your baby has fussy times. He wants to feed again soon after breastfeeding. He wants to feed more often. Your breasts no longer feel full. He wants to feed less often or for a shorter time. He wakes a lot at night. He will take a bottle after breastfeeding. You can't express much milk. Your breasts may or may not leak milk.

You know you have plenty of milk when your baby gains well on breastfeeding alone.

FROM BIRTH - 4 MONTHS:

A good weight gain is 6 ounces (170 g) a week or 1.5 lbs. (680 g) a month.

FROM 4 - 6 MONTHS:

A good weight gain is 4-5 ounces (113-142 g) a week or 1 lb. (452 g) a month.

You know how much your milk still matters to your baby. And it feels great to see your baby thrive on your milk. Here are the basics from 6 to 12 months.

FUN FACTS

You will make milk as long as your baby breastfeeds. Your baby drives your milk supply. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for at least one year. Babies begin to need other foods, too, at about six months. Babies get teeth and learn to sit up, so they can help feed themselves. Now meals get really messy! As babies take other foods, they need less of your milk. As they take less milk, your milk supply should go down.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Weight gain should slow down. A good weight gain now is at least 2-4 ounces (57-113 g) a week or ½ pound (228 g) a month. At this age, breastfeeding helps to comfort as well as feed. Babies love to play during breastfeeding. Expect lots of growing, crawling, and walking!

THINGS TO LEARN

Try each new solid food for a few days before starting another. Try a cup at around 8 months.

SOME REASONS TO SEEK HELP

If breastfeeding hurts or your baby bites during breastfeeding. If your baby gains weight too slowly.

Even when breastfeeding is going well, you may still experience some of the following:

Your baby has fussy times. She wants to feed again soon after breastfeeding. She wants to feed more often. Your breasts no longer feel full. She wants to feed less often or for a shorter time. She wakes a lot at night. She will take a bottle after breastfeeding. You can't express much milk. Your breasts may or may not leak milk.

You know you have plenty of milk when your baby gains well on breastfeeding alone.

FROM 6 - 12 MONTHS:

Your baby should gain 2-4 ounces (57-113 g) a week or ½ pound (228 g) a month.

This is general information and does not replace the advice of your physician or healthcare provider. If you have a problem you cannot solve quickly, seek help right away.

Every baby is different, and your baby may not be average. If in doubt, contact your physician or other healthcare provider.

By Nancy Mohrbacher, IBCLC, Ameda Products Co-author of Breastfeeding Made Simple and The Breastfeeding Answer Book