Babies breastfeed frequently; often every one-and-a-half to three hours. Time feeds from the start of one feed to the start of the next. Expect an average of eight to twelve feeds in 24 hours.

No. In the first 24 hours, healthy babies can have a wide variety of patterns but a common one is to suckle at the breast eagerly in the first hour or two and then have a sleepy phase with very little suckling. This initial sleepy phase is followed by an active phase where they may want to suckle very frequently for 3-5 hours. This cluster feeding often happens after 20 hours, or on the second night of life. It is normal not to get much sleep that second night! Newborn babies generally have nursing sessions at least 8 times in 24 hours starting on the second day. The timing of these sessions is very individual and the spacing between feeds is variable - babies do not feed by the clock.

Colostrum is the 'first milk' produced by your breasts, starting during pregnancy. It is a concentrated form of "mature milk", which is very high in protein, antibodies and other protective components that are important for your newborn. It is thicker than mature milk and often has a yellowish colour to it. It is produced in small amounts (10-100 ml/24 hours), which is perfect for your newborn's tiny tummy. The smaller volumes also give your baby a chance to learn to nurse without being overwhelmed by a large flow of milk in the first few days. These smaller feedings encourage your baby to go back to the breast often in the first few days. This frequent stimulation is what increases your milk production - a lovely and effective feedback loop!

In the early days, when the baby is getting colostrum, many mothers don't hear swallows. This doens't mean that your baby is not getting milk. Often you will be able to see swallows as your baby's jaw drops closer down to his chest for an instant. It is this drop in the chin that tells you that colostrum is going into his mouth; it may look like his suck is deeper and longer. Often babies then rest for a couple of seconds before continuing a pattern of little sucks-dropped jaw-pause. It is important for the baby to be latched on to the breast deeply and effectively so he can get all the colsotrum he needs.

Allowing your baby to suckle often and long enough to remove milk are the best ways to establish a good milk supply. Helping your baby obtain a deep mouthful of breast is also important. For more detailed information, contact a local Leader to get a copy of the information sheet: Establishing Your Milk Supply.

Watch your baby. Look for smacking lips, sucking movements, bringing her hand to her mouth and bobbing around with her face. Crying is a late hunger cue. Your baby will latch and feed better if you get ready to feed her when she begins to give you the first hunger cues.

There are three main ways to tell: look at your baby's weight, output (wet and soiled diapers) and behaviour. If your baby is gaining weight properly, that is the most certain sign.

Initially babies lose weight. This is mainly because they are expelling the black tarry stool (meconium) that has built up inside the colon during pregnancy. After the meconium is flushed out, the baby's weight will stabilize and the baby begins to gain weight. This most often happens after the third or fourth day. Many babies lose about 7-8% before they start gaining. A baby is expected to return to his birth weight by 10-14 days of age.

Even if your baby hasn't been weighed for a few days, his pees and poops will tell you that he is getting enough. During the first day or two after birth expect one or two wet diapers per day. This will increase over the next 2-3 days. After day 4 a baby should have at least five to six really wet diapers per day (more if you use cloth diapers). By the third day, expect the colour of dirty diapers to change to a greenish transitional stool. By the 5th day babies begin having at least three to five bowel movements per day, each at least the size of a Toonie (2.5 cm). These will typically be very loose and bright yellow in colour, often with a "seedy" appearance. This is summarized in a table at the end of the information sheet How to Know Your Breastfed Baby is Getting Enough. Contact a local Leader to get a copy.

Yes. You can tell that your baby is drinking by watching for swallowing. When your baby swallows, you will see his chin drop almost to his chest and you may hear a soft "kah" sound. You will also notice that your baby has many slow deep sucks before taking a short pause. When your baby is done, your breasts will feel softer, and your baby will appear satisfied.

Healthy full term breastfed babies gain 150-200 grams (5-7 ounces) per week. They gain weight steadily and quickly in the first three months. Then their weight gain slows down. Some babies may gain slightly less or slightly more depending on their family body structure. This is summarized in a table at the end of the information sheet How to Know Your Breastfed Baby is Getting Enough. Contact a local Leader to get a copy.

Human milk is designed with all the nutrients in the right proportions for human babies. Mothers all over the world, eating many types of foods, have similar nutrients in their milk. If a mother is very malnourished her milk can have low amounts of some nutrients, but this is extemely rare in Canada.

You do not need to eat any special foods or be concerned if you don't eat a balanced diet every day. Nature ensures that the baby gets the right amount of nutrients automatically by using vitamins stored in your body as needed. It's important for all women to eat healthy food for themselves and for their babies.

No, a breastfed baby does not require anything other than your milk. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months. Your milk will adjust to ensure that your baby gets all the fluids she needs to stay hydrated. You will likely want to drink more fluids to meet your extra fluid needs.

Skin-to-skin, also called Kangaroo Care or Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), is holding a baby bare chest to bare chest. It helps newborns adjust to being outside the womb. It is ideally done immediately after the birth and as much as you can during the first few days of life. Skin-to-skin can be done by both mother and father. It is especially useful for dad to hold his baby this way if mother is unavailable because of medical procedures.

It helps regulate the baby's temperature, breathing, heart rate and sugar levels. It also calms the baby so he doesn't get stressed out or cry a lot. It is easier for many babies to latch on to the breast when held skin-to-skin. It is good for both full term and premature babies.

Skin-to-skin will help you learn your baby's cues. It will also increase the level of prolactin you produce. Prolactin is a hormone responsible for helping your body to make milk. Many mothers find that latching their babies is easier when they are held skin-to-skin. It can also calm a fussy baby. If you are unable to breastfeed because your baby is sick or premature, you will have to express your milk. Holding your baby skin-to-skin helps your body make more milk.

Take off your bra and have your baby in only a diaper. Place your baby's chest against your bare chest between your breasts. Place a cover over her back. You can also try wearing an oversized shirt and use this to cover her. Let your baby stay on your chest for at least an hour. If she starts to bob around and look for your breast, follow your instincts to help her latch on. Babies benefit from remaining skin-to-skin beyond the first breastfeed, so take every opportunity to hold her this way.

Yes. If you are able to hold your baby, you can do skin-to-skin. Tiny babies on breathing machines, IVs, and heart monitors can often be held skin-to-skin. In fact, they often do better in this position: their heart rate, breathing and temperatue are more stable. NICU staff using this type of progressive care will be able to help you hold your baby effectively. Just ask. See Kangaroo Mother Care for more information.

The mother's body is the baby's habitat. During the first few weeks skin-to-skin can be done often or even continuously. There is no age at which skin-to-skin is no longer recommended.

The first bowel movement will be black, tarry, and sticky; this is called meconium and is often difficult to get off a baby's bottom. This is the stool that was built up in his colon during pregnancy. Over the first few days, the appearance of the stool changes. After the meconium has passed, the normal bowel movement for a breastfed baby is usually bright yellow, seedy, loose and abundant.

There are natural laxatives in colostrum which help babies expel the meconium. The more breastfeeding your baby does in the early days the more colostrum he takes in and the faster the meconium clears. As the milk volume increases, he will start to have transitional stools.

Between 48 and 72 hours after birth, the meconium changes to dark green and then lightens in colour to yellow. By Day 6 the breastfed baby will have stools which are yellow, loose, and sometimes described as seedy. Normally stools will be at least the size of a Toonie (2.5 cm). This is summarized in a table at the end of the information sheet How to Know Your Breastfed Baby is Getting Enough. Contact a local Leader to get a copy.

A bowel movement with every feeding is common in the early weeks. However around 6 weeks of age some babies change their stooling pattern from very frequently to once a day, or once every few days, to even once every week or so. Your exclusively breastfed baby is not constipated as long as the stool is still loose (pudding like) and a mustardy yellow colour when he does have a bowel movement. The stools should also be substantial. (Remember: the longer it has been between stools, the bigger it will be.)

Yes. Many mothers breastfeed in the recovery room after a Caearean birth. The sooner you can hold your baby skin-to-skin and breastfeed, the better for both of you. If you are separated from your baby for any reason, the baby's father or another family member can hold her skin-to-skin until you are available. Because you have had major surgery, you will likely need to take pain medication. This should not interfere with breastfeeding. Ask for help to find a position that is comfortable for both you and your baby.

Holding your baby skin-to-skin is an excellent way to wake a baby and get him interested in feeding. Other ways are to undress him, hold him upright, talk with him, move his arms and legs. While he's sleeping, watch for movement. This is a sign of light sleep. He'll wake more easily from a light sleep than from a deep sleep.

Most breastfed babies don't require a soother because they naturally get enough comfort sucking at the breast. Soothers were invented for bottle fed babies because, when full, they may need more time to suckle. During breastfeeding, suckling happens naturally because the milk flows more slowly at the end of a feeding. This gives the baby time to suckle for comfort and not get a lot of milk; her hunger and sucking needs are both met. It's an all-inclusive baby resort!

If you find that you need to used a soother, it is best to wait for at least a month before introducing it. Giving babies soothers or bottles before they have learned how to breastfeed can be confusing for them. Give your baby a chance to learn one thing at a time.

Legally in Canada you can nurse your baby out in public wherever you and your baby are allowed to be. Most mothers find that with a little practice they can comfortably nurse their babies in many different environments. Planning ahead with your wardrobe and stops can make it easier to relax and nurse your baby when he needs it.

You can purchase a membership from your local Leader, or contact Sheila at National Office. A basic LLLC Membership costs $25 and is valid for a period of one year. Click on Join Us or here for more information.