The First Few Days of Breastfeeding

Hi Ladies,

I am a first time mom and due October 26th. I really would like to breastfeed, but have a lot of questions (and hesitations). I would have liked to taken a class...but it looks like that is not going to happen. So, I have been reading Nursing Mothers Companions and asking a lot of questions to friends.

There are still a couple of things I am getting mixed responses on and would love your thoughts/experiences.

It is my understanding that it takes your milk 2-3 days to come in. In the meantime, the baby could be nursing and getting colestrum. I have heard some people say that the baby's stomach is so small, that the colestrum ALONE is enough the first few days. I have also heard others say that it is not enough and that often doctors will tell you that the baby is not getting enough food and make you do a formula bottle during that time, as well.

So, can you tell me what you did the first few days? Did you nurse immediately after baby was born? Did you also give a bottle? Also, what are your thoughts on giving pacifiers those first couple of days?

Thank you in advance for your help!

Re: The First Few Days of Breastfeeding

I too am planning to nurse..and have been told that the babies tummy is so small that colostrum is all he/she needs until your milk comes in. Just think...what did people do before formula?? breast feeding is a natural thing and your body is programed to take care of your baby...You have to do what's right for you, but make your choices based on correct info...whatever that may be. Good luck!!!

Re: The First Few Days of Breastfeeding

Thank you! Yes, I did hear that I am going to have to rely on my gut feelings a lot

Re: The First Few Days of Breastfeeding

I nursed the first time and plan on nursing this time. I took a nursing class with DH and it was really helpful. They told me that the size of a baby's tummy is the size of a marble. I had a c-section and nursed 1/2 an hour after I was out of surgery.

I will tell you the first few days were the hardest/painful days of my life but in the end the most rewarding. I told the hospital I wanted to nurse exclusively. The nurses never made me give a bottle but were very supportive. I even saw a lactation nurse a few times at the hospital and had one afterwards (I work for a healthcare company and they provide one if you want it - it is a nice perk).

I think pacifiers are personal choices. I did not use one with DS and I do not plan on using one with DD. I do not like them and so not like the reliance children grow on them - again my personal preference. My nieces used one until they were 4. On the other hand - they say it prevent thumb sucking. DS never sucked his thumb.

Re: The First Few Days of Breastfeeding

i nursed immediatly and it was plenty for my dd. as long as the baby isnt loosing alot of weight the dr will sasy bf is fine alone but if the baby is loosing too much weight then they will probably tell you to supplement until your milk comes in. that should be the only reason the dr tells you to supplement.
good luck if you can get past the first two weeks of bf your set. good luck

Re: The First Few Days of Breastfeeding

I nursed immediately with my last pregnancy. I did not give him formula until he was about 4 days old and jaundice so his dr told me to supplement until the jaundice went away and we did. After that he was EBF

Re: The First Few Days of Breastfeeding

It is true that milk does take 2-3 days to come in. When I had , the lactation consultant in the hospital recommend me to breastfeed her even though it's just colostrum. She said a few drops of colostrum can fill the baby's tummy

For the first 3 days when I was in the hospital, I breastfeed her and I also give her formulas in between. When we come home, I did the same so now our DD is rotating between formulas and breast milk.

Re: The First Few Days of Breastfeeding

My milk took about 3 days to come in. With my first baby- she cried or sat on my breast all night our first night home. Realized the next morning she WAS hungry when she polished off a 2oz bottle of formula and then slept for 4 hours. Luckily my milk came in later that day.

With baby #2 and 3, I nursed immediately as well, but after the first day, I used this syringe thing they give you to "feed" the baby about an ounce of formula while she/he was at my breast. I'd do this after the baby had been nursing about 15-20 minutes. This way my body was stimulated to produce milk (which is the reason why we're told to let them nurse like crazy in the very beginning) but at least it gave the baby a little something to tide them over. Plus, no worries of nipple confusion. I'd just slip the tip of the syringe into the corner of the baby's mouth while he/she was nursing.

We had no screamfests from #2 or 3 due to hunger like we had with #1.

The first weeks of BFing are HARD. Even this time, and it's my third, was very difficult. It's umcomfortable and exhausting, but totally worth it once you get through those initial 2 weeks.


ETA: I am ALL for pacifiers. My first didn;t like em, my second I didn't push them enough, and she is now a thumbsucker, my third is definitely taking it. If you have a baby who *needs* to suck to soothe, they are a godsend.

Studies have shown they can prevent SIDS. MOST babies will willingly give them up by the time they are 6 months old (when the sucking reflex isn;t quite as strong). Plus my feelings are that you can always take away a paci- the thumb is always there to cause orthodontic headaches and speech issues.

Message edited 9/7/2010 4:07:12 AM.

Re: The First Few Days of Breastfeeding

Go by your baby's diapers.
If your baby is pooping and peeing...everything is fine.

Mine never took any formula at all. They both lost weight, but that is normal.

good luck!

Re: The First Few Days of Breastfeeding

Posted by ChenAnChulo524

It is true that milk does take 2-3 days to come in. When I had , the lactation consultant in the hospital recommend me to breastfeed her even though it's just colostrum. She said a few drops of colostrum can fill the baby's tummy

For the first 3 days when I was in the hospital, I breastfeed her and I also give her formulas in between. When we come home, I did the same so now our DD is rotating between formulas and breast milk.

Re: The First Few Days of Breastfeeding

i nuursed and did not take a class - i was planning on it but it did not work out- i ask lots of quations at the hospital - talk with the lactation consultabt - have them help you with the latch

i nursed exclusively at the hospital - i never saw formula or was told to use it

my little guy did not latch well but i worked hard to get him to - he was born 3 weeks early - i am still bf and my little guy is 11 months

take home the lacation consultant's number from the hospital and call if necessary i did and she has been a great help

i did need to supplement when we came home because my little guy did not latch well for a week but i kept trying

Re: The First Few Days of Breastfeeding

Thank you for all of your helpful responses ladies!

Re: The First Few Days of Breastfeeding