The First Week of Breastfeeding

Day One

Mom
No breast changes. Attempt to nurse at least every 3 hours, for as long as the baby wants to feed, and do lots of skin to skin contact.

Baby
Baby will be awake after birth and will want to suckle or nozzle at the breast.
After a few hours, baby becomes very sleepy for 24 to 36 hours.  You must wake and attempt feedings to stimulate mom's milk production and prevent engorgement. 

Diapers
Several wet diapers and passing merconium stools.

Day Two

Mom
Breasts are still soft if this is the first baby.  The baby is getting colostrum.

Baby
Starting to wake up and will cluster, being very fussy at night.  Baby will need to suck for comfort (not associated with hunger).

Diapers
Fewer wet diapers and still passing merconium stools.

Day Three

Mom
She may have some breast changes.  She should begin using moist heat before feedings for 10 to 15 minutes and applying an ice pack for 15 to 20 minutes after feedings.

Baby 
Still needs to be at the breast at least every 3 hours.  Will still have clustering times in the late p.m. and early a.m. 

Diapers
Fewer wet diapers and maybe one merconium stool.  If this is a secondary pregnancy and milk came in early, there may be as many as three (brownish/greenish) stools.

Day Four

Mom
Breast changes are evident.  Continue with hot/cold treatment for any swelling.  Frequent feedings are very important.  Can use a pump or manually express her breast a bit to soften her areola if the breasts are very swollen and baby has trouble latching.

Baby
Baby may be very fussy and seem hungry.  This is a transitional day.  Mom's milk is coming in and baby may have a hard time latching due to breast changes.  You may start to hear gulping and swallowing during feedings.  If baby refuses to feed, Mom may pump and feed baby her milk.

Diapers
There may be a few wet diapers, or none at all, and few or no stools, if milk is just coming in.  If the milk is in, there may be as many as four wet diapers along with one to several stools (brownish/greenish/yellow).

Day Five

Mom
Milk should be in.  Continue treatment for engorgement and soften areola before a feeding, if needed.

Baby
The baby may be sleepy, due to high volumes of milk in the tummy from the feedings.  You may have to really work at keeping baby awake by undressing, changing diapers, and tickling.  You should hear sounds of gulping and swallowing.  If baby refuses to feed, Mom may pump and feed baby her milk.

Diapers
There should be at least 4 or 5 wet diapers and at least one to several brownish-yellow stools.

Day Six

Mom
She may be very full from milk coming in.  Hot and cold treatment still should be used.

Baby
You should hear lots of gulping and swallowing.  A feeding may take anywhere from 20 to 50 minutes.  Baby should settle after feedings, but may still want to cluster in the late p.m. and early a.m.  Baby needs to eat at least every 3 hours.  Baby may want to eat more often.

Diapers
There should be at least 6 or more wet diapers and at least three or more yellow seedy stools that are quarter sized or larger. Many babies will have stools with every feed.

Day Seven

Mom
Her breasts should be softer after feedings and the engorgement should be under control.

Baby
You should hear lots of gulping and swallowing.  A feeding may take anywhere from 20 to 50 minutes.  Baby should settle after feedings, but may want to still cluster in the late p.m. and early a.m.  Baby needs to eat at least every 1 1/2 -3 hours.  Baby can sleep longer at night after baby is back at birth weight.  Baby will need to do lots of sucking to calm down and to go to sleep.

Diapers
There should be at least six or more really wet diapers and three or more yellow seedy stools that are very loose.  Warn Mom that they may be explosive, and with every feed.

copyright 2004 Babiesandmoms.com