Feeding FAQ: 0-8 weeks – Breast Feeding

How do I put a newborn on the feeding routines?

Firstly, thank you very much for the New Year Greetings and the signed copy of The Complete Sleep guide which arrived yesterday. My baby is due next week and I have a couple of questions about feeding before using the routine for a baby at one week. What do I do from day one? Having read Chapter 3 of The New Contented Baby Book, you say that I need to feed for 5 minutes each side every three hours until my milk comes in. Around day 3-5 I should have increased the sucking time to 15-20 minutes and offer both breasts if my baby needs feeding before 3 hours are up. Do I follow the ‘Routine for increased milk supply’ from when my milk comes in or is this from day 1? This routine lasts for 5 days only. Then should I start the routine for a baby at one week – even though time wise, my baby will be 10 days old? Am I just getting myself confused?
I look forward to your reply as I am I very keen to get your routines right from day one and enjoy a contented baby!
Sincerely,
Tracy

I hope this arrives to you in time for your baby’s birth.
Here is a feeding plan for you which should help in the next weeks.

Day 1-3: Feed every 3 hours from both sides, building up your time. This should help your nipples become used to your baby’s sucking and help the milk come in which usually happens between day 3-5. By the time your milk comes in your baby should be sucking 15-20 minutes each side.

Day 3 –5: Once your baby is receiving milk rather than colostrum you still need to feed little and often but he may be content after one side which will take him 20-25 minutes to empty. If he then is content for the next 3 hours you will know he has had enough. You may have to wake your baby for some feeds but your breasts need the constant stimulation to get the message to make milk – supply and demand. Your baby should be able to sleep one longer stretch -possibly 4 hours – and this will hopefully happen at night if you wake him throughout the day. He will need feeding every 3-31/2 hours from 6am to midnight (ie. 6 feeds). How long he goes between feeds depends on his weight. A 6lb baby will need to be fed every 3 hours rather than 31/2 until his weight is up a little. A baby weighing 7-8lbs, if fully draining one side, should begin to settle for 31/2 hours by the end of the first week.

Remember to time your feeds from the beginning not the end as the baby begins digesting straight away, so if a feed takes 50 minutes the next one will be due about 2 hours later.

The plan for increased milk supply does not need to be followed unless you feel you are not producing enough milk at each feed. Often this may happen after the first few weeks as you begin to be out and about more, exhaustion kicks in or your supply has not really established itself. You will know if this happens as your baby will not be satisfied after he has exhausted the milk from the breast(s).

Keep a written record from day one of your feed times and which side you began with as it is easy to lose track (tucking a piece of cotton wool or tissue inside the cup of your nursing bra is a good way to remind yourself which breast is next). Note how settled your baby was afterwards and, as he begins to stay awake for short spells, note down the time he is asleep again. By the end of the first week you may begin to see a pattern emerging. A baby over 7lbs at birth may well be able to begin to slip into the routine for the first week but a smaller one may need a few more days of 3 hourly feeds. Don’t despair if it takes you longer for the routines to begin to fall into place, keep trying. It is especially important to rest as much as you can between feeds in the first week, eat well and regularly and drink plenty of fluids – water, juice and milk being the best. That way you will build up your supply with help from your baby’s regular feeding. Getting into the habit of putting a large glass of water beside you as you begin feeding is a good way to ensure you get enough fluids to make the milk.

If you are in doubt about his latching or your nipples become sore get expert advice from a breast feeding councillor as early problems can frequently lead to a lack of supply in the coming weeks.