Your Breastfeeding Journey Begins
Breastfeeding is one of the most natural yet sometimes challenging aspects of early motherhood. Understanding the benefits, how breastfeeding works, and what to expect can help you start your breastfeeding journey with confidence. Whether you breastfeed for days, months, or years, any amount of breast milk provides valuable benefits to your baby.
Benefits of Breastfeeding
For Your Baby:
Complete Nutrition Breast milk is perfectly designed for your baby, containing the ideal balance of proteins, fats, vitamins, and carbohydrates. It changes composition throughout the day, across feeding sessions, and as your baby grows to meet their evolving needs.
Immune System Boost Your milk contains antibodies that help your baby fight off viruses and bacteria. Breastfed babies have lower rates of:
- Ear infections
- Respiratory infections
- Diarrhea and stomach bugs
- Urinary tract infections
- Necrotizing enterocolitis (serious intestinal disease in preemies)
Brain Development The DHA and other fatty acids in breast milk support optimal brain development. Some studies suggest breastfed babies may have slightly higher IQ scores, though many factors influence intelligence.
Reduced Long-Term Health Risks Breastfeeding is associated with lower rates of:
- Childhood obesity
- Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes
- Asthma and allergies
- Childhood leukemia
- Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
Perfect Bonding The skin-to-skin contact, eye contact, and closeness during breastfeeding strengthen the emotional bond between mother and baby. Breastfeeding releases oxytocin (the “love hormone”) in both of you.
For You (Mother):
Uterus Contraction Breastfeeding releases oxytocin, which helps your uterus contract back to its pre-pregnancy size more quickly. This reduces postpartum bleeding and helps with recovery.
Calorie Burning Producing breast milk burns approximately 500 calories per day, helping you gradually return to your pre-pregnancy weight without restricting food intake.
Decreased Diabetes Risk If you had gestational diabetes, breastfeeding reduces your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later. Even women without GDM benefit from reduced diabetes risk.
Reduced Cancer Risk Breastfeeding lowers your lifetime risk of:
- Breast cancer (especially if breastfeeding for 12+ months)
- Ovarian cancer
- The longer you breastfeed, the greater the protective effect
Delayed Menstruation Exclusive breastfeeding often delays the return of your period for several months, though this varies. (Note: You can still get pregnant while breastfeeding before your period returns, so use contraception if you don’t want another pregnancy.)
Convenient and Free Breast milk is always available, at the right temperature, requires no preparation, and costs nothing. No bottles to wash or formula to buy—especially convenient for nighttime feedings and when traveling.
Emotional Benefits Many mothers find breastfeeding emotionally satisfying and enjoy the quiet bonding time with their baby. The hormone release during nursing promotes relaxation and wellbeing.
How Breastfeeding Works: Supply and Demand
Understanding the supply-demand principle is key to successful breastfeeding.
Milk Production:
- Your baby sucks at the breast
- This stimulates nerves in your nipple
- Signals travel to your brain
- Your brain releases prolactin (makes milk) and oxytocin (releases milk)
- More frequent nursing = more milk production
- Less frequent nursing = less milk production
This means: The more your baby nurses, the more milk you’ll produce. Your breasts don’t need to “fill up” between feedings—they continuously produce milk based on demand.
The First Hours and Days
Immediately After Birth (The Golden Hour): Skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth is ideal. Most babies are alert and ready to nurse within the first hour. They may not latch perfectly immediately—that’s okay. The skin-to-skin contact alone provides benefits and helps your baby learn your smell.
Colostrum (Day 1-3): Your first milk is thick, yellowish colostrum—liquid gold for your baby. Though small in volume (just teaspoons per feeding), it’s incredibly concentrated with antibodies and nutrients. Your baby’s stomach is tiny (about the size of a marble on day 1), so small amounts are perfect.
Transitional Milk (Day 3-5): Around day 3-4, your mature milk “comes in.” Your breasts will feel full, heavy, and possibly uncomfortable (engorgement). This is when milk volume dramatically increases. Frequent nursing relieves engorgement.
Mature Milk (Week 2 Onward): By two weeks, you’re producing mature milk tailored to your growing baby’s needs.
Basic Positioning Principles
Good positioning is the foundation of comfortable, effective breastfeeding. Whatever hold you use, these principles apply:
For You:
- Get comfortable with back support—you’ll be here a while
- Bring baby to breast (don’t lean forward to baby)
- Support your breast with your hand if needed (C-hold: thumb on top, fingers underneath, well back from areola)
- Relax your shoulders
For Baby:
- Baby’s entire body faces you (tummy to tummy)
- Head, shoulders, and hips aligned (not twisted)
- Head slightly extended (nose tilted up, not chin tucked)
- Baby’s nose level with your nipple before latching
- Bring baby quickly to breast when mouth opens wide
Common Breastfeeding Positions
Cradle Hold: Most traditional position. Baby’s head rests in the crook of your arm on the same side you’re nursing. Your forearm supports baby’s back and your hand supports their bottom. Baby lies across your lap facing you.
Cross-Cradle Hold: Similar to cradle but you support baby’s head with the opposite hand, giving you more control. Good for newborns or when learning to latch. Your hand at the base of baby’s head (not back of head, which causes baby to arch away).
Football/Rugby Hold: Baby lies along your side (like tucking a football under your arm), feet pointing toward your back. You support baby’s head with your hand. Excellent after C-section (keeps baby off incision) and for larger breasts or small babies.
Side-Lying Position: You and baby lie on your sides facing each other. Especially good for nighttime nursing or after C-section. Place pillows behind your back and between your knees for comfort. Baby’s mouth should be level with your nipple.
Laid-Back/Biological Nursing: You recline comfortably at about 45 degrees, baby lies on top of you (tummy to tummy). Baby uses instincts to find breast and latch. Very comfortable and intuitive, especially in early days.
Try different positions—what works one day might not work the next, and different positions may work better as baby grows.
Achieving a Good Latch
A proper latch is crucial for comfortable, effective breastfeeding.
Steps to Latch:
- Position baby with nose level to nipple
- Tickle baby’s lips with nipple to encourage wide mouth
- Wait for a WIDE mouth (like a yawn)
- Quickly bring baby to breast (don’t lean breast to baby)
- Baby’s chin touches breast first
- Baby takes a large mouthful of breast, not just nipple
Signs of a Good Latch:
- Baby’s lips flanged outward (like fish lips)
- More areola visible above baby’s top lip than below bottom lip
- No nipple pain (brief discomfort for first 30 seconds is normal, but ongoing pain indicates poor latch)
- Baby’s cheeks stay rounded (not sucked in)
- You hear swallowing (quiet gulps)
- Baby’s jaw moves rhythmically
If the Latch Hurts: Break the suction by inserting your clean finger into corner of baby’s mouth, remove baby, and try again. Never nurse through pain—it will damage your nipples and won’t empty your breast effectively.
How Often and How Long to Feed
Frequency: Newborns need to eat 8-12 times in 24 hours (every 2-3 hours, sometimes more frequently). This is NORMAL and essential for:
- Establishing your milk supply
- Meeting baby’s nutritional needs
- Supporting baby’s growth
“Cluster feeding” (several feedings close together) is common, especially in evenings. Your baby isn’t doing anything wrong, and you don’t have low supply—this is normal newborn behavior.
Duration: Let baby feed until they come off the breast on their own. This might be 10 minutes or 40 minutes—both are normal. Trying to time feeds doesn’t work because every baby and every breast is different.
Feeding from Both Breasts: Many babies feed from both breasts per session, but some are satisfied with one. Start the next feeding on the breast you ended with (or didn’t use). Some mothers put a safety pin on their bra strap as a reminder.
Signs Baby Is Getting Enough Milk
In the early days, it’s normal to worry whether baby is getting enough since you can’t measure what they’re consuming.
Signs of Adequate Intake:
- Dirty diapers: At least 6-8 wet diapers per day by day 5
- Stool changes: From black meconium to yellow, seedy stools by day 4-5
- Weight gain: After initial loss (5-10% is normal), baby gains about 5-7 ounces per week
- Contentment: Baby seems satisfied after most feedings
- Alert periods: Baby has alert, active periods between sleeping
- You hear swallowing during feeds
Your 1-week and 2-week pediatrician visits will check weight gain—the most reliable indicator.
Early Challenges Are Normal
Nearly every mother experiences challenges in the first weeks. Sore nipples, uncertainty about milk supply, difficulty latching, and exhaustion are all common. These challenges usually improve significantly by 2-3 weeks as both you and baby learn.
When to Seek Help:
- Severe nipple pain during and after nursing
- Nipple damage (cracking, bleeding)
- Baby seems constantly hungry or never satisfied
- Very few wet diapers
- Baby isn’t gaining weight appropriately
- You’re feeling overwhelmed or want support
Where to Find Help:
- Hospital lactation consultant before discharge
- Lactation consultant (IBCLC) in community
- Your pediatrician or OB/GYN
- Breastfeeding support groups (in-person or online)
- La Leche League meetings
- See our “When to Seek Breastfeeding Help” page
What About Pumping?
Most breastfeeding experts recommend establishing breastfeeding directly at the breast for 3-4 weeks before introducing bottles or pumping regularly. This helps establish your supply and allows you and baby to master nursing first.
Exceptions: If baby can’t nurse directly, pump within 1-6 hours after birth and every 2-3 hours thereafter to establish supply.
Trust Yourself and Your Baby
Breastfeeding is natural but not always automatic—it’s a learned skill for both mother and baby. Be patient with yourself during the learning curve. Most challenges that seem insurmountable in week one resolve by week three.
Whether you breastfeed for weeks, months, or years, you’re giving your baby a wonderful gift. Fed is best—what matters most is that your baby is nourished and you’re both healthy and bonded.