What to expect from the earliest days of feeding your newborn

Skin-to-skin contact

Holding your newborn close is a really important part of getting to know each other. It also keeps your baby warm and helps keep his temperature, heart rate and breathing regular. Take your time when you first meet your baby, and hold him close. Your midwife will leave you and your baby and partner alone for as long as you like. It’s an ideal time for you and your baby to try a first feed.

Often a baby held skin-to-skin will ‘root’ around’, searching for the breast. This is a good time to give your baby his first breastfeed. If you had a caesarean this should happen just the same. If you cannot hold your baby at first, ask for help as soon as you feel able. Your partner or midwife can assist you once you feel ready. It’s never too late!

Take a real-life close up peek at how a baby should latch on by watching our 'How to breastfeed' video.

The first milk

In the early days, your breasts contain colostrum. This is a hugely important food – a concentrated version of breast milk. It passes antibodies to your baby to protect against infection and gives a kick-start to the immune system, so that your new baby gets the best protection possible against illnesses.

There’s not much of it as far as quantity goes, but colostrum is highly superior in quality to anything else that could be offered to a newborn. It gives way to milk after a few days. Feeding now can give you a good opportunity to get breastfeeding off to a good start before your milk comes in. Don’t worry if it doesn’t seem like there’s a lot, just offer the breast whenever your baby needs a feed.

Fore and hind milk

Your milk changes as your baby’s needs change throughout the feed. The milk in the breast at the beginning of a feed is called the fore milk. This is quite thin and watery. As you make milk in response to her sucking, hind milk is produced, which is higher in fat and more satisfying.

It’s important that you let your baby take as much milk as she wants from the first breast at each feed so that she gets plenty of the more satisfying hind milk. She may well look very full and sleepy after the feed. Give her a while and perhaps change her nappy and she may wake up and want some more. You can then offer her the second breast. She may really be full, and just want to drop off to sleep, but that little break may mean that she is now ready for a top up!

Always start the next feed on the opposite breast to the one you started on last time.

Baby-led feeding

Breastfeeding works on a ‘supply and demand’ basis. The hungrier your baby is, the more often he will want to go to the breast. The more often you put him to the breast, the more milk you will make. So baby-led feeding is very important.

Offer your baby the breast whenever he seems hungry and let him breastfeed for as long as he wants. This way you will build your milk supply to match his needs. Some babies are sleepy and may not feed much at first – this is quite normal. But if your baby still doesn’t feed regularly after a couple of days, ask your midwife’s advice. Don’t just leave him without a feed.

How often should I feed my baby?

Our breastfeeding expert, Chris McGregor, says:

‘There are no hard and fast rules; feed your baby as often as she wants for as long as she wants. New babies have very small stomachs and they may need to be fed little and often. When you think about it, small frequent feeds are a good way of making sure that you have a chance to sit down and rest, too, while you are feeding. This can be a lovely time when you cuddle your baby and chat to her.’

Breastfeeding tips

The early days of breastfeeding matter.  Here's how to get off to a good start:

• Have as much skin-to-skin contact with your baby as possible.
• Breastfeed as soon as possible after the birth.
• Make sure you are holding your baby well at the breast.
• Get someone to check that her mouth is well attached at the breast.
• Feed for as often and as long as your baby wants.
• Have your baby by your bed.
• Get help from a supportive midwife.
• Avoid offering water – breastfed babies don't need it. 
• Don't limit time at the breast – it may interfere with supply and demand.