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Breastfeeding in Your Baby’s First Days

The birth of a baby marks the start of a stage full of emotions, questions, and learning. If you have chosen to breastfeed, you may have already heard many recommendations, warnings, and contradictory advice. While breastfeeding is a biological process, it is also a bond that is built and learned day by day.

As an IBCLC-certified lactation consultant and neonatal nurse, I support mothers who want to experience breastfeeding with confidence and awareness. Here is what to expect during the first days after birth, how to recognise that breastfeeding is going well, and when it is advisable to seek professional support.

The First Days: A Dance of Adjustment

During the first 48–72 hours of life, you and your baby are in a period of adjustment and connection. This stage, sometimes called the start of the “fourth trimester,” involves physiological changes for both mother and baby:

  1. Colostrum
    During the first feeds, your breasts produce colostrum, a thick, yellowish fluid rich in immunoglobulins, proteins, growth factors, and anti-infective compounds. Although the volume is small (2–20 ml per feed), it is exactly what your baby needs at this stage.

Colostrum:

  • Protects the baby’s immature gut
  • Stimulates the first bowel movement (meconium)
  • Acts as a natural laxative to help eliminate bilirubin
  • Is highly digestible and adapts to each feed
  1. Frequent Feeding, No Clock
    It’s normal for your baby to want to feed very often. Some newborns feed every 1–2 hours, sometimes with minimal breaks. Frequent sucking:
  • Stimulates milk production (lactogenesis II), usually occurring 48–96 hours postpartum
  • Promotes connection, security, and warmth
  • Helps regulate temperature, breathing, and heart rate through contact

Watch your baby’s early hunger cues-rooting, head movement, opening the mouth, or sucking on their hand-to know when to offer the breast.

  1. What About Pain?
    Mild nipple discomfort is expected at first, but intense pain, burning, cracks, or bleeding is not normal. These signs usually indicate an ineffective latch or an issue that requires assessment (e.g., tongue tie or jaw tension).

Signs That Breastfeeding Is Going Well

Although each mother&baby dyad is unique, general indicators include:

For the baby:

  • 8–12 feeds in 24 hours
  • Swallowing heard after a few seconds of sucking
  • Releases the breast spontaneously and seems satisfied
  • At least 6 wet diapers per day with clear urine from day six
  • Yellow, soft stools by day 3-4
  • Returns to birth weight by 10-14 days

For the mother:

  • Breasts feel fuller after the milk comes in, but not overly painful
  • Relief after each feed
  • No cracks, bleeding, or severe pain
  • Milk comes in between days 2-4

If any of these signs are absent or persistent discomfort occurs, it may be time to seek help to prevent complications.

Common Challenges in the First Days

It’s common to encounter:

  • Breast pain throughout the feed
  • Feeling that the baby isn’t satiated
  • Prolonged feeding without breaks
  • Nipple cracks or bleeding
  • Engorgement (very full, hard breasts)
  • Doubts about whether the baby is getting enough milk

Early assessment can make a big difference. A thorough evaluation includes latch, positioning, and checking for a short tongue tie (ankyloglossia), which can avoid effective sucking.

When to Seek Help

Many breastfeeding issues can be resolved with timely intervention. Consult a professional if you notice:

  • Persistent pain or nipple injuries
  • Delayed milk supply (beyond 96 hours)
  • Baby sleeps excessively and shows no hunger cues
  • Poor weight gain or loss exceeding 10% of birth weight
  • Difficulty latching or frequent release of the breast
  • Suspected tongue tie
  • Need for supplementation

Early guidance can prevent major complications, such as low supply, mastitis, or unintended weaning.

The Value of Professional Support

Many mothers feel judged, overwhelmed, or misunderstood at this stage. The support I provide is both technical and emotional, analysing the situation fully while adapting to your needs, expectations, and values.

I support all types of feeding: exclusive, mixed, induced, preterm babies, or babies with special conditions. There is no single “correct” way to breastfeed, but there are informed, supported, and respectful approaches for you and your baby.

If you are beginning this journey or feel that things are not going as expected, you are not alone. I am here to listen, guide, and support you in whatever you need.

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