5 things you may not know about breastfeeding

There are many benefits to breastfeeding – for you and your baby. So many that the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends feeding your baby only breast milk for the first six months of life. 

However, just because breastfeeding has many helpful benefits doesn’t mean it’s the best option for everyone. We cover what to know before you decide to breastfeed or not. 

Breastfeeding is a learning process for mom and baby

Your body is set up to feed your baby breast milk. In fact, most healthy newborns are ready to breastfeed just an hour after birth. However, breastfeeding is still a learning process — for both you and your baby. 

A good position and latch are important, but your baby doesn’t necessarily know how to attach to your breast effectively right away. It takes guidance and patience.

Your baby should face you with their chest and stomach against yours. Then, your baby must open their mouth wide over your areola (area around the nipple), so they can suckle and swallow. With time, you learn how to work together for the most efficient breastfeeding session. Your provider or a lactation consultant can help, too. 

Find an OB/GYN at HCA Florida Healthcare. 

Breast milk comes in three phases

During pregnancy, your breasts prepare to make breast milk. But after your baby is born, you likely won’t have flowing breast milk right away. Your milk typically comes in three phases:

• Colostrum: The first milk you have after you give birth. Colostrum is thick and yellow. It has a lot of nutrients your baby needs, and babies don’t need to drink much for the benefit.  
• Transitional milk: The milk that usually starts to replace colostrum in the first week of your baby’s life. 
• Mature milk: Your full milk supply. Mature milk is thinner than colostrum. You usually produce it about 10-15 days after birth. This milk changes over time to match your baby’s needs as they grow. 

The best way to ensure you make enough mature milk is to keep breastfeeding or pumping. Breastfeeding is a supply and demand system, meaning your body makes what’s consumed. The more your baby eats, the more milk your body produces.

Babies need to feed often 

Your baby likely won’t eat a large quantity of milk at first, but they will eat often. A newborn’s stomach is small, and they digest breast milk quickly. So, they get hungry every one to two hours. 

It’s best to let the baby nurse until they are finished and offer them a feeding any time they’re hungry, which can be a lot. During a growth spurt, they may want to feed every hour or more.

A typical feeding may mean your baby feeds on one breast for 15 minutes, you take a break to burp them and then they feed on the other breast for 15 minutes. It’s helpful to alternate the breast you start with for each feeding, so your breasts are more comfortable.  

Crying is a late sign of hunger

Your baby will tell you when they are hungry and full, though how they tell you can change over time. At first, you may notice these signs when your baby is hungry:

• They put their fists in or near their mouth.
• They turn their head to look for the breast (also called rooting). 
• They become more alert. 
• They suck on their hands or smack their lips. 

Your baby crying is a late hunger sign. It’s helpful to feed them before they start crying so latching is easier. Otherwise, they may be too upset to eat. 

Breastfeeding can be hard

Breastfeeding is hard work — and harder for some moms and babies than others. If you decide to breastfeed, you should look out for any feeding issues, so you can talk about them with your provider or lactation consultant. 

Issues may include:

• Your baby isn’t breastfeeding much. 
• You can’t see or hear your baby swallow when they feed. 
• Your baby cannot stay latched, or you hear a clicking sound. 
• Your baby is always fussy, even after eating. 
• Your baby keeps losing weight after the first week of life. 
• Your baby isn’t making enough wet or dirty diapers. 
• Your baby’s skin is yellow. 

Learn how labor and delivery services, including free breastfeeding classes, at HCA Florida Healthcare can help. 

Your body requires extra care 

While breastfeeding, you also have to take care of yourself — just like during pregnancy. Your body will need more calories to make breast milk for your baby. Be careful of eating some foods, watch intake of alcohol and caffeine and avoid certain medications. 

You want to give yourself healthy nutrients, so your milk provides the best nutrients for your baby. The good news is your provider and other experts are available to help you breastfeed for as long as you and your baby need.

Find the pregnancy care you need 

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