You’ve probably heard many times by now that breastfeeding is the best way to nourish your baby. Breast is best. It’s natural and healthy. All that is true, but what happens too often is that the pressure to make it work overwhelms new mothers right when they’re facing the most difficult time of their lives. Latching issues, having enough milk supply, or serious discomfort are all common, often expected. It’s important to remember that most of these challenges, even when they’re overwhelming, are common, manageable, and temporary. So many mothers I have worked with find that breastfeeding gets easier once they feel supported and validated, and less pressured. You’re not alone when you’re going through this, and we have the resources to help you succeed.
Breastfeeding is like a dance you and your newborn have to learn when neither of you know any of the steps. Add in the pressure already discussed, and it’s no wonder some mothers feel like it’s a life or death test and the clock is ticking down. The truth is, it’s okay to take some time to adjust, and it might help to know your timeframe. I like to separate the breastfeeding learning curve into three phases: the first 24 hours, the next 48 hours or days two and three, and then days four through 14.
The first 24 hours are usually the most exhausting. You’ve just been through a literal life changing experience. It also may have involved the most pain you’ve ever felt, surgery, or even a threat to your life or your newborn’s. The breastfeeding focus here is just about getting the baby to breast. We rely on their instinct and reflexes. We’re also going to rely on a big help from mother nature: full term newborn babies are born with extra fat and water to get them through, and they will use it. We expect babies to lose up to 10% of their body weight in those first days until they learn to latch and your supply comes in. They are safe.
Days two and three are often the most nerve wracking. Now we’re looking to see that your newborn’s latch is getting better, hopefully becoming effective. By the end of this period, we want to see the supply just starting to come in. That’s worth emphasizing. For first time mothers, the best case scenario is that your supply comes in 48-72 hours after delivering. Again the extra fat and water will keep them nourished through this period. The first visit to your pediatrician is usually during this period, and it’s because we want to identify any issues at this point. Fortunately, we have excellent local resources with a network of lactation consultants and feeding therapists to provide help when needed.
Days four through 14 is when the baby, and hopefully your worries, start to settle down. This is the period when any weight loss will correct. Mothers will start to find a rhythm to the baby’s feeding and sleeping cycle. Mothers may even start getting a little sleep themselves! This is the period also where we intervene when things are not going according to plan. Maybe the latch hasn’t come together, or the supply is not coming in, or there are other issues like pain or chafing. And we still usually have enough time to work on these issues and find success with breastfeeding. The point is: in those first few days, it can be hard not to panic; but in most cases, you really do have time.
At Lighthouse Pediatrics, we understand the challenges with breastfeeding, and having a newborn in general. Whether you’re dealing with any of the issues we touched on, or you just need reassurance that you’re on the right track, we are here to support you from the very beginning. We’re available to answer your questions, treat what needs to be treated, and help your newly expanded family thrive. Breastfeeding and the newborn period should be rewarding and fulfilling. Some families just need the right support.
