Skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth has numerous benefits for both mother and baby. It helps regulate the baby’s body temperature, stabilizes their heart rate, and promotes the release of hormones that support breastfeeding.

Early skin to skin contact provides the triggers and refluxes necessary for early breastfeeding. For the first hour of life, ideally the newborn has skin to skin connect with the mother, laying on their mother’s chest. This position allows for hunger cues to be observed and allows baby to use their instincts and rooting refluxes.

Breastfeeding in the first 2 hours of life is linked with longer breastfeeding duration and milk intake later. So, ensure you hold your baby against your bare chest as soon as possible after delivery.

Nurse baby at the first signs of hunger. Don’t wait until baby is crying. Crying is a very late feeding signal. Once baby starts crying, they are already super hunger. By the time baby is crying, they have usually become very disorganized and do not feed as well. When the baby demonstrates cues, respond by bringing baby to the breast without delay.

Hunger cues begin during the active sleep state which is identified by the presence of REM (rapid eye movement). As the baby becomes hungrier and more awake, those hunger cues become more obvious.

Here are some hunger signs:

Early Hunger Cues:

By learning to recognize these cues, you can respond promptly to your baby’s feeding needs. This helps establish a healthy feeding routine and prevents unnecessary distress.

These signs indicate the best time to latch baby on. They are just starting to get hungry, so they’ll be ready to go!

Active Hunger Cues:

If they are not fed during that early period, they’ll start to get a little more persistent in letting you know it’s time to eat. You may see baby start to increase physical movement and even put their hand in the mouth. Now they are really hungry and it’s a good idea to feed them ASAP.

Late Hunger Cues:

If they are still not fed, they may start to display what are known as late hunger cues.

At this point, you may need to calm baby down before you can effectively latch them. This happens mama! Make sure to also keep yourself calm when trying to nurse.

During this time, your baby is alert and eager to nurse, and your body produces colostrum, the first milk rich in nutrients and antibodies. This early initiation strengthens your baby’s immune system and establishes a good milk supply for you.

Baby is cable to find the breast on its own and self-attach. This is called a breast crawl. Just like baby sea turtles find the sea on their own, you’d be amazed at how these little tiny wonders will inch and crawl their way to the breast! This may take some time, which is totally normal. Once baby finds the breast, slowly the mother can gently assist in helping the infant latch.

Whenever possible, ask healthcare providers to delay non-urgent newborn tests and routine procedures until after the first breastfeeding. This ensures that your baby receives the beneficial colostrum and establishes a good latch before any interventions that might temporarily disrupt the nursing process.

Think supply and demand! This is the only way to make more milk.

Nursing on demand helps regulate your supply. The babies saliva signals your body to make what it needs. Remember, your body was made for this! The more frequently baby nurses, the more milk you will make.

Baby doesn’t need to eat much in the first hours and days of life.  Their tummy is so small, colostrum is enough. 

Oral ties, also known as tongue ties or lip ties, are conditions that occur when the tissue connecting the tongue or lip to the bottom of the mouth is too tight or thick. This can restrict the movement of the tongue or lip, causing potential issues with breastfeeding in babies.

The effect of oral ties on breastfeeding can vary from the baby’s ability to compensate for it. Some of the common issues faced by breastfeeding mothers and babies due to oral ties include:

1. Poor latch: Babies with oral ties may have difficulty latching onto the breast properly, leading to inefficient or ineffective breastfeeding. The restricted tongue or lip movement can make it challenging for the baby to create a proper seal around the breast, leading to insufficient milk transfer.

2. Pain and discomfort: Mothers may experience pain, soreness, and nipple damage due to an improper latch caused by oral ties. The baby’s restricted movement or improper positioning can cause increased friction and pressure on the mother’s nipples, leading to discomfort or even breast infections.

3. Reduced milk supply: Insufficient or ineffective breastfeeding caused by oral ties can result in a decreased milk supply. Since the baby may not be able to remove milk efficiently, the mother’s milk production may decrease, leading to reduced milk available for the baby’s nutritional needs.

4. Slow weight gain: Babies with oral ties may struggle to gain weight at a normal pace due to inadequate milk intake. Insufficient milk transfer can lead to slower weight gain or failure to thrive. Regular weight checks and medical supervision are essential to monitor the baby’s growth and ensure their nutritional needs are being met.

5. Frustration and stress: Babies with oral ties may become frustrated during breastfeeding due to the challenges they face in obtaining milk. They may pull off the breast frequently, cry during feeding, or show signs of distress. This can lead to increased stress and anxiety for both the baby and the mother.

It is important for mothers and healthcare providers to recognize the signs of oral ties in babies, such as difficulty latching, clicking or smacking sounds during feeding, frequent feedings, or prolonged nursing sessions.

If an oral tie is suspected, seeking evaluation and treatment from a lactation specialist or pediatric dentist who specialized in oral ties is important. Treatment options may include exercises, stretches, or in some cases, a simple and safe procedure called a frenotomy to release the tongue or lip tie.

By addressing and managing oral ties, the breastfeeding experience can be improved for both the baby and the mother, ensuring optimal milk transfer, proper growth, and a positive bonding experience.

Pain when nursing is NOT normal and is a sign of restriction of the mouth. This can include nipples feeling pinched, dry, cracked or bleeding nipples.

Contact a Lactation Specialist who is trained in lip and tongue ties and get baby evaluated.

Do not let anyone tell you you, that you need to “toughen up your nipples.” or “Welcome to breastfeeding, this comes with the territory.” This is horrible advice!!

I remember I was once told to rub my breasts with sandpaper….enough said.

Note: A nipple shield can be a VERY TEMPORARY solution, until you can get help to address the tie and find a trained provider to revise.

Your supply is regulating and pumping this early WILL cause problems.

Pumping before milk is regulated, with the exception of baby being in the NICU, returning to work, or special circumstances, can result in a serious condition of over supply and other headaches, that this new mama doesn’t need!

Oversupply is a big risk factor for clogged milk ducts and mastitis, a painful breast inflammation.

Problems it can cause with pumping before 6 weeks…

No pump out there is more efficient then your baby! Pump output does not show how much milk you are truly making. Baby is able to empty your breasts way more efficiently than a pump.

Poor Advice given during this time…

– “Power pump to get make more milk.”

-“Pump to relieve pressure from engorgement.”

Engorgement is normal and pumping to relieve pressure actually creates more engorged breasts. Because your body is signaling you to make more milk!

To relieve some of that engorgement, use a Hakka milk catcher on opposite breast that baby is nursing from.

You should ONLY pump if baby cannot nurse and diaper count has dramatically dropped, or if you are going to be separated from baby.

The benefits of waiting until 6 weeks to start pumping

Waiting until the baby is at least 6 weeks old before starting pumping can have numerous benefits for both the mother and the baby. One of the primary advantages is establishing a strong breastfeeding relationship. During the first few weeks, the baby is learning how to latch properly and regulate their feeding. By waiting until 6 weeks, the baby has had ample time to develop a secure latch and establish a consistent feeding routine.

Additionally, waiting allows the mother’s milk supply to regulate naturally. In the early weeks, the mother’s body is still adjusting to the baby’s demand for milk. By allowing the body to naturally regulate, the mother is less likely to experience issues such as engorgement or oversupply, which can be uncomfortable and lead to difficulties with breastfeeding.

Furthermore, waiting until 6 weeks to start pumping can help avoid nipple confusion. By exclusively breastfeeding for the first few weeks, the baby becomes accustomed to nursing directly from the breast. Introducing bottles and pumps too early can cause confusion and make it difficult for the baby to transition between breast and bottle feeding. Waiting until 6 weeks allows the baby to master breastfeeding before introducing any additional feeding methods.

Your breast milk supply takes time to regulate, typically around 4-6 weeks. During this period, it’s crucial not to pump excessively as it may cause oversupply or lead to other problems. Trust in your body’s natural process and let it establish a harmonious balance with your baby’s needs.

Whichever nursing position you use, check that you and your baby are lined up the right way. You should be able to draw a straight line that connects your baby’s ear, shoulder and hip on either side of their body. Once you and your baby are in proper position, the next step is to guide them toward the breast so that they can latch on properly and nurse. If you can see the logo on your baby’s onesie, they are facing too far upward and will have a harder time achieving a comfortable deep latch. Imagine standing in front of a water fountain, but your body is facing to the right. It would be difficult to drink that way!

Bring baby to your breast, not breast to baby. This promotes a comfortable latch and prevents discomfort for both mother and baby. Move back 1-3 inches allowing baby to open their mouth very wide. Wait for baby to open their mouth wide, like a yawn. This is the optimal moment to bring baby to your breast, ensuring they take in as much of the areola (the dark area surrounding the nipple) as possible. There is no need to do the “cram and shove” hold. Do not place your hand behind their head, no one enjoys being shoved into their meal!

Learn more about positioning baby here: Positions.

Avoid swaddling or covering your baby’s hands with mittens during breastfeeding. Those little hands have an important role to play in signaling hunger and stimulating milk production.

Don’t fall for the gimmicks. Remember everyone is trying to make money.

There is NO magic tea, pill, drink, cookie, or supplement that can significantly boost your milk supply…it is just not how our bodies were designed. How did we survice as a species? Trust in your body’s natural ability to produce adequate milk for your baby’s needs. Remember, humans have successfully survived and thrived for centuries without relying on such products.

Breastfeeding is a journey that requires patience, determination, and support. By following these tips and seeking help when needed, you can establish a strong breastfeeding bond with your baby. Cherish this intimate time together, knowing that you are nourishing and nurturing your little one in the most precious way possible.