Breastfeeding Demystified

The first latch can be intimidating, and all the reading in the world will still leave you with questions when you’re actually in the moment. Am I doing this right? Is the baby getting any milk? Do I nurse on both sides or just one? Luckily, many hospitals have lactation consultants who will answer every question and point you in the right direction. The nurses are also fantastic resources when you’re nervous and unsure at the start. Don’t be shy about speaking up. Everyone is here to help you succeed!

One essential breastfeeding item you’ll want to pack in your hospital bag is nipple cream. Your nipples are not used to breastfeeding a baby, so you’ll need to give them a little extra care. Applying nipple cream after each feeding can help with soreness, cracking, and bleeding. The prospect of bleeding nipples can definitely feel scary, but finding a good cream will help you in those first few weeks as your body adjusts to this new and important role as milk-maker.

Speaking of milk, when does that come in exactly? You’ll be ready to breastfeed as soon as your baby is born. In the first 2-3 days following your baby’s birth, you’ll produce something called colostrum. Colostrum is basically a super-concentrated kind of breastmilk that provides tons of nutritional value to your new babe. It’s very rich and thicker than the breastmilk that sustains your baby through the rest of their breastfeeding months. On the second or third day after delivery (although it can take a bit longer for some moms), your breasts will start to feel very full. They’ll be visibly larger as well. This means your milk is finally “coming in.” Because this type of breast milk is less rich than colostrum, your baby may spend more time at the breast. But how much time is the right amount of time?