Breastfeeding 101: A Survival Guide for the First 6 Weeks
Breastfeeding is natural, but it is not always intuitive. It’s a learned skill—like riding a bike or playing the piano—that you and your baby have to learn together, while you are both crying and covered in milk.
The learning curve is steep. But getting through the first 6 weeks usually leads to smooth sailing. Here is what to expect and how to troubleshoot the hurdles.
The Golden Hour and Day 1
Your colostrum (liquid gold) is all baby needs.
- Goal: First latch within the first hour of birth.
- Volume: Baby's stomach is the size of a cherry. They only need teaspoons.
- Expectation: Lots of skin-to-skin. If baby won't latch, hand express drops into a spoon.
Days 2-5: The Engorgement Phase
Your full milk comes in. Your breasts might feel like rocks.
- Relief:
- Nurse frequently: To drain the breast.
- Reverse Pressure Softening: If the breast is too hard for baby to latch, gently press back on the areola for 60 seconds to push fluid back and soften the landing pad.
- Ice: Cold packs after nursing reduce inflammation.
The Latch: It Shouldn't Curl Your Toes
Pain for 10-15 seconds at the start is common (nipples are sensitive!), but pain that persists through the feed means a bad latch.
- The Hamburger Hold: Don't offer a round breast. Squish it like a sandwich (fingers parallel to baby's lips) so it matches their mouth shape.
- Nipple to Nose: Tickle their nose with your nipple. Make them look up and open WIDE.
- Asymmetric Latch: More areola should be visible above the top lip than below the bottom lip. Chin should be buried in the breast; nose clear.
Positions to Save Your Back
- Cross-Cradle: Best for newborns. You hold baby's head with your hand opposite the breast. Good control.
- Football Hold: Great for C-Section moms (keeps baby off incision) or large breasts. Tuck baby under your arm like a football.
- Side-Lying: The "lazy" position. Lie belly-to-belly in bed. Safety Note: Ensure firm mattress and no blankets near baby's face.
Supply Worries: Is Baby Getting Enough?
You can't see the ounces, so it's easy to panic.
- Sign of Success: 6+ wet diapers a day by Day 5. Regaining birth weight by Day 14.
- False Alarm: Baby crying a lot or wanting to eat every hour (Cluster Feeding) is usually not a supply issue. It's normal behavior to drive supply up.
- The Pump: Don't stress about pumping yet unless medically indicated. Let the baby drive the supply for the first month.
Nipple Care
- Breastmilk: Rub a little milk on the nipple after feeds and let it air dry. It has healing properties.
- Silverettes: Silver cups worn in the bra can help heal cracks.
- Hydrogel Pads: Cooling relief for sore nipples.
Mental Health Check
Breastfeeding is a relationship, and relationships shouldn't be abusive. If you are dreading every feed, crying in pain, or feeling resentful, get help. An IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) acts as a detective to fix the issue. And remember: Your mental health > breastmilk. A happy parent feeding formula is better for a baby than a parent in crisis feeding breastmilk.