For most infants, feeding from the breast is a natural response. Others need a little help. Here is some basic information to help you and your baby get started:

Colostrum: your first milk

Once your baby is born, and for three to four days afterward, your breasts produce colostrum. It is thicker than typical breast milk, but packed with nutrients your newborn needs. The flow of colostrum is slow, making it easier for your newborn to practice sucking, swallowing, and breathing at the same time.

By day five, your baby probably will have mastered the rhythm of feeding, and your milk supply will increase to match his increasing appetite.

How do you know when your baby is hungry?

Crying can be a telltale sign of hunger, but there are others. When your baby makes sucking movements or puts her fingers to her mouth — even if she is sleeping — she might be telling you she is ready to eat. It is best to feed her when she is fully awake. You can help wake her by playing with her, changing her diaper, or talking to her before she eats.

Latching on (or positioning your baby on your breast)

Your newborn might latch on as soon as you hold him to your breast. If not, do not be disappointed. To help your baby latch on correctly, position his mouth over the pockets of milk located 1 to 1-1/2 inches behind the nipple. This way, he will get the most milk possible and you will be less likely to have sore nipples.

The four steps to latching on are:

If you can imagine being able to draw a straight line from his ear to his shoulder to his hip, your baby will be latched on correctly. Because your baby sucks more efficiently on the first breast he uses, alternate the side he starts nursing on from feeding to feeding.

If your baby does not open his mouth widely enough, gently stroke his bottom lip with your nipple in a downward motion. Repeat this stroking until he opens his mouth wide. Then quickly pull him onto your breast so his nose, cheeks, and chin all are touching the breast. He then should begin to suck.

To keep a steady milk supply in each breast, it is important to switch breasts during feedings. Begin feeding on the breast that was not used last. After 10 to 15 minutes,¹ try burping your baby, and then offer the second breast for as long as he wants. If he does not seem interested in the second breast, offer that breast first at his next feeding.

When you need to remove your baby from your breast, it is important to first break the suction. Gently slip one of your fingers into the corner of his mouth before removing him from your breast.

Breastfeeding intervals

During the daytime, if three hours have passed since your baby’s last feeding, or if your breasts are full, you might want to wake her to feed. Talking, rubbing, patting, unwrapping, or undressing her will help. It could take up to five to 10 minutes to wake her completely, but it usually will result in a better feeding.

If she shows signs of hunger — even if she just ate an hour ago — it is OK to feed her again. Sometimes infants "cluster feed" before taking a nap. It does not mean your milk supply is low. Instead, this is normal breastfeeding behavior.

On the other hand, if one or both breasts become engorged between feedings, using a breast pump or hand expressing will help to relieve them.

How do you know if your baby is getting enough milk?

In the beginning, you will know your newborn is getting enough milk if he stops passing meconium (thick black or dark-green stools) after about four days, and begins to pass yellow, seedy, runny stools three or more times a day. For more information, please review Breastfeeding: Is your baby eating enough?

During the 1st month, your baby will wet six to eight diapers and have two bowel movements per day. Once your milk supply is established, he should gain about 2/3 ounce per day during his first 3 months. Between 3 and 6 months, weight gain tapers off to about 1/2 ounce per day.

Other signs to look for:

Charting the Course:  Patterns commonly seen in breastfed infants

Indicator	Age	Description
Urine Output	3-4 days	Pale yellow to clear (not deep yellow or orange)
	5-7 days	6 or more wet diapers
Stools	1-2 days	Thick, tarry, and black color
	3-4 days	Greenish - yellow color
	5 days	Yellow color (not white or clay-colored) with watery, seedy, or mustard-like texture
	By 5-7 days	3-4 stools/day
	1 month and older	Number of stools might vary (can be several stools/day, 1 every 3-4 days, or 1/week).
Weight Gain	Birth-6 months	4 oz - 8 oz/week
	7-12 months	3 oz - 6 oz/week
Breastfeeding  Pattern	Birth-1 month	8-12 feedings/24 hours
	1-2 months	7-10 feedings/24 hours
	2-4 months	6-9 feedings/24 hours
	4-6 months	6-8 feedings/24 hours

Download the chart (PDF) »

If you are looking for more information and resources about breastfeeding, visit the American Academy of Pediatrics or check out WomensHealth.gov.

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