Breastfeeding Guide & Checklist

Congratulations on your new baby! Your breastfeeding journey is a unique and special path. It's important to remember that breastfeeding is a learned skill for both you and your baby, requiring patience and practice. This guide is designed to be a supportive friend, offering practical advice and checklists to help you navigate the first few days and weeks with confidence. Be gentle with yourself, and know that support is available every step of the way.

Getting Started: The First Few Hours

If possible, the best start to breastfeeding is to have skin-to-skin contact with your baby immediately after birth. During this 'Golden Hour,' your baby is often very alert and ready to practice their feeding reflexes. Your body will be producing colostrum, a thick, yellowish 'first milk.' It's packed with antibodies and nutrients and is the perfect first food for your newborn's tiny stomach.

The Key to Success: Getting a Deep Latch

A comfortable, effective latch is the foundation of successful breastfeeding. An improper latch is the most common cause of nipple pain and can prevent your baby from getting enough milk. Follow these steps:

1. Get Comfortable: Position yourself with plenty of pillows to support your back and arms.
2. Position Your Baby: Hold your baby 'tummy to mummy,' so their whole body is facing yours. Their head, neck, and back should be in a straight line.
3. Aim 'Nipple to Nose': Align your nipple with your baby's nose, not their mouth. This encourages them to tilt their head back and open their mouth wide.
4. Encourage a Wide Mouth: Tickle your baby's top lip with your nipple to get them to open their mouth wide, like a yawn.
5. Bring Baby to Breast: Quickly and gently bring your baby onto your breast, aiming for their chin and lower jaw to make contact first.

Signs of a good latch include your baby's lips being flanged outward (like a fish), seeing more of your areola above their top lip than below, and hearing soft 'k' sounds of swallowing, not just clicking or smacking noises.

How Do I Know My Baby is Getting Enough Milk?

This is the number one worry for new breastfeeding parents. Since you can't see the ounces, you have to rely on your baby's output and behavior. These are the most reliable signs:

• Diaper Output: This is your best indicator. By day 4-5, you should be seeing at least 6+ wet diapers and 3-4 soft, seedy, yellowish stools in a 24-hour period.
• Weight Gain: While newborns lose a little weight initially, they should be back to their birth weight by 10-14 days old and then continue to gain steadily.
• Baby's Behavior: A well-fed baby will appear content and sleepy after a feed and will wake up on their own to signal hunger.

Your Breastfeeding Essentials Checklist

While you don't need a lot of fancy gear, a few key items can make your experience much more comfortable:

• Several comfortable nursing bras or tank tops.
• Nursing pads (disposable or reusable) for leaks.
• A tube of medical-grade lanolin or other nipple cream.
• A comfortable chair with good back support and a nursing pillow.
• A large, reusable water bottle and a basket of one-handed snacks for your nursing station.
• Contact information for a local lactation consultant (IBCLC).

Important Medical Notes

Breastfeeding is natural, but it doesn't always come naturally. It is completely normal to need help. If you are experiencing significant pain, cracked or bleeding nipples, or have any concerns about your baby's weight gain or diaper output, please reach out for professional help immediately. An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is the gold standard for breastfeeding support.