Breastfeeding: the first days after birth

1. Confidence and knowing you can breastfeed

Above all: your confidence and the knowledge that every woman is capable of breastfeeding. We all have milk glands that begin forming in the womb — which is why baby girls are born with slightly swollen nipples. When you trust your own wholeness, lactation does not become a moral or emotional burden.

2. Normal physiology during pregnancy

During pregnancy the breasts prepare for lactation: they grow, nipples may leak a small amount of creamy white or yellow fluid. These are excellent signs that you and your breasts are doing fine.

3. The first 15–40 minutes: breast, not bottle

About 15–40 minutes after birth, the first thing that should enter the baby's mouth is the breast. That is nature — and it rules out bottles and silicone teats at this stage.

The first sucking reflex is not just hunger: it is contact with the mother and a drop in cortisol after birth — a way to «reset» stress. If we give a bottle here, we miss a powerful chance to lay the baby's immunity through colostrum's unique composition. Many of you have heard of the microbiome and how it forms through birth and breastfeeding — a topic for another article.

4. In the postpartum room: the «sandwich» latch

When you are moved to your room or left alone with the baby, offer the breast again. It is not difficult — what matters is a good latch.

Hold the breast with a broad «sandwich» grip: thumb on top, fingers underneath, about 1–2 cm from the edge of the areola. Offer the breast with the hand on the same side you are feeding from — bring the baby to you, do not lean down to them: that protects your back and posture.

5. Frequent feeds and warm drinks

Yes: postpartum tea with anise or simply warm fluid helps — you may even want a kettle so hot water is always nearby. Early on this stimulates milk supply, especially together with frequent feeds.

In the first 24 hours the baby rests — and you rest with them. After the first day hunger usually wakes up: that is when warmth, frequent feeds and good presentation of the breast matter. Remember: the nipple should go in as deeply as possible, with part of the areola in the mouth. Hanging on the nipple alone raises the risk of painful cracks.

6. Colostrum: a few drops are enough

First milk is colostrum — yellowish, thick, a few drops. Perfect. A newborn does not need much: stomach size is like a pea, and it grows day by day.

If they cry strongly — that is normal too: it motivates you to offer the breast and hold them more often. Trust that you read their cues and keep going.

7. Milk «coming in»: what to expect

After 1–2 days colostrum becomes more fluid and white; the breast enlarges — the first milk increase is near. For some women milk «comes in» on days 3–5, and until then colostrum is enough for vitality and growth.

Signs things are on track: meconium and urine; remember that losing up to 10% of birth weight in the first week is normal. After that active gain on breast milk begins.