In the exhaustion and euphoria of childbirth, a mother’s very next job is feeding her baby. But breastfeeding rarely comes naturally as expected. The first few hours after delivery are vital and establishing robust milk production hinges on this time. This is the time to signal to your breasts to make milk for your new arrival. So how do you do it?
Here are 5 things to know to help you prepare for breastfeeding before delivery.
1. How to Support Your Milk Supply Before & After Baby Arrives
Before your baby arrives
- Practice the hand expression technique. This will signal your breasts to start working
Hand expression is the recommended method for collecting colostrum before birth, as the volume is small and breast pumps are not as effective for the thick fluid.
- Talk to your healthcare provider: Before you begin, it’s essential to talk to your midwife or obstetrician to make sure it’s safe for you. It’s generally advised to wait until around 36-37 weeks of pregnancy to start.
- Get comfortable: Sit in an upright position and use a warm compress on your breasts to help you relax and stimulate milk flow.
- Massage your breasts: Gently massage your breasts to encourage milk to move toward the nipple.
- Use the “C” shape: Place your thumb and index finger in a “C” shape about 1-1.5 inches from the base of your nipple.
- Compress and release: Gently press your fingers back toward your chest and then compress and release. Avoid sliding your fingers over the skin or squeezing the nipple directly.
- Collect the drops: Sometimes this stimuli might result in a small excretion coming out of the nipple, it is called colostrum, and is liquid gold for babies because of its natural antibiotic qualities. As the colostrum appears in drops, collect it with a clean syringe, spoon, or small cup provided by your healthcare provider.
- Store it: Label the collected colostrum with your name, date, and time, and store it in the freezer.
You can hand express 2-3 times a day for about 5-10 minutes at a time. Don’t worry if you only get a few drops—this is completely normal. The act of expressing is what helps signal your body.
After your baby arrives
Cuddle your baby skin-to-skin and hold them close to your breast. Let them latch on and suckle as often as they’d like. Breastfeeding has a learning curve for both of you. The first step for your baby is simply getting used to searching for and finding your nipple. The act of them sucking then signals your body to produce milk, bringing it up from deep within your ducts.
Breastfeeding in the first hour, it’s in your hands from First Droplets on Vimeo.
What if my baby doesn’t nurse effectively the first hour or day? This is very common. The good news is, you can support your baby’s nutrition while still stimulating your milk supply.
- Hand expressing while holding your baby skin-to-skin can be very effective in the first 24 hours due to the natural hormones from delivery. Make a “C” shape with your hand and place your thumb and fingers on your breast, gently press inward toward your chest, then softly squeeze and roll your fingers forward to release milk, and then guide your baby’s mouth to the droplets of colostrum. The scent and taste can encourage them to latch on.
- Offer Stored Colostrum: If the above didn’t work, but you collected colostrum before delivery, this is the perfect time to use it. Place a small amount on a spoon and gently touch it to your baby’s lower lip. They’ll be drawn to the scent and may instinctively start to drink.
Additional breastfeeding tips to remember:
- Try to nurse your baby before they demand it. A hungry baby is harder to soothe.
- Your body is wise, in the first three days you can never overfeed a baby, so cluster feed if your baby wants it.
2. Understand What Your Milk Needs to Accomplish (and How Your Body Does It)
Many new mothers worry they won’t produce enough milk right away, but it’s important to understand your body’s incredible design. During the first few days, your baby’s stomach is tiny—about the size of a marble—and only needs small, frequent amounts of colostrum, your thick, nutrient-rich “first milk.” Don’t worry that you aren’t producing a lot; this is exactly what your baby needs right now.
The frequent feedings and suckling during these early days are crucial. They serve as a powerful signal to your breasts to increase milk production. This is how your body transitions from making colostrum to producing mature milk, which is often called your milk “coming in” and typically happens around day 3 or 4. By knowing this process beforehand, you can trust your body and baby to work together to establish a healthy milk supply.
3. Know Your Baby’s Hunger & Fullness Cues (Before They Arrive!)
One of the biggest worries new parents have is, “How will I know if my baby is hungry or full?” The good news is, you can learn to recognize these signs even before your baby is born. Understanding their communication helps build your confidence and gives you a peace of mind.
A newborn’s cries are often the last sign of hunger. Before they get to that point, they’ll give you more subtle signals, such as:
- Rooting: turning their head and opening their mouth when their cheek is touched.
- Putting their hands to their mouth.
- Making sucking motions with their lips.
- Stirring or waking up.
A baby who is full and satisfied will show different signs. Instead of a strong, enthusiastic feeding, they may slow down or stop sucking completely. Their body will appear relaxed, with open hands and a calm demeanor. They might even fall asleep at the breast or turn their head away, signaling they’re all done.
4. What a Good Latch Looks & Feels Like
A good latch is crucial for effective and comfortable breastfeeding. When your baby is properly latched, the nipple is positioned deep in the baby’s mouth, touching the soft palate at the roof of the mouth. This deep placement allows the baby to use their jaw and tongue to compress the milk ducts effectively without causing pain.
A proper latch will look like this:
- Wide mouth: Your baby’s mouth will be open wide, similar to a yawn.
- Lips flared: The baby’s lips will be turned outward, like a “fish face.”
- Chin and nose touching the breast: The baby’s chin should be pressed into the breast, with their nose nearly or lightly touching it.
- More areola visible above the baby’s top lip than below their bottom lip.
You feel a pulling sensation, but no pain. The sucking should be rhythmic and gentle, not a sharp or pinching sensation. You may hear or see the baby swallowing.
Once latched, you can all relax, sit back and enjoy this sweet bonding moment. Try different hold positions to see what is most comfortable. Making sure to always support the head and neck.
5. Steps to Help Your Baby Achieve a Good Latch
Biology suggests that babies are born with the intuitive ability to find their mom’s breasts and suckle. This isn’t always the case. Sometimes we have to help our babies along. To do so, run your hand up your baby’s back and form a c-shape at the base of their skull so that you can direct them on where to go. Position the baby’s nipple to the nose, making sure his or her head is tipped up so the chin is pushing into the breast more than the nose, so the nipple goes to the top of the mouth, aka the sweet spot and then follow these steps.
- Position your baby: Hold your baby with their head and neck supported, ideally in the crook of your elbow or with a pillow. Their ear, shoulder, and hip should be in a straight line.
- Encourage a wide mouth: Gently tickle the baby’s nose and upper lip with your nipple. Wait for the baby to open their mouth wide.
- Grab your breast and make a C shape using your hand, making your breast into more of an oval shape, rather than a circle. This way the breast is sandwiched to fit into your newborn’s mouth and promote that suction seal.
- Bring the baby to the breast, not the breast to the baby: Once your baby has a wide, yawning mouth, quickly bring them to the breast, leading with their chin. Aim your nipple toward the roof of their mouth. Their lower lip should be positioned far below the base of your nipple to get a deep latch.If your baby’s mouth is a shallow “fish” mouth, gently rub their upper lip to encourage them to open wider. Wait for that wide, gaping mouth before bringing them to your breast, chin first.
- Check the latch: Observe the points mentioned above—wide mouth, flared lips, and no pain. Listen for swallows and there you have it! If the latch is shallow or painful, gently insert your finger into the corner of the baby’s mouth to break the suction and try again.
Bonus: How to Know if Your Baby Is Getting Enough Milk (It’s Not Always About Ounces)
Since you can’t measure the exact amount of milk your baby is getting during a nursing session, it’s helpful to know the signs of a well-fed baby. This knowledge can relieve a lot of anxiety and help you feel more confident in your breastfeeding journey.
Before your baby is born, learn these key indicators of a successful feeding:
- Weight gain: Your baby will be gaining weight steadily after the first few days of life. Your pediatrician will monitor this at your check-ups.
- Diapers: After the first few days, your baby should have at least 6-8 wet diapers and several bowel movements a day. This is one of the most reliable indicators of a good milk intake.
- Contentment: Your baby will seem relaxed and satisfied after nursing.
- Breast feel: You’ll notice your breasts feel softer and less full after a feeding session.
Remember, every baby is different. Your pediatrician and a lactation consultant are your best resources if you have any concerns about your baby’s weight or feeding. You can learn more about breastfeeding in New Mom Schools’ Newborn Class, Breastfeeding Support Group, or a private lactation consultation.
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