Newborn Day 2 Feeding Frenzy

Feeding Frenzy. Around Day 2-3, baby often wants to feed more frequently, maybe 1-2 hourly. Baby has passed lots of meconium poos, emptying out his gastro-intestinal tract, and his stomach capacity is gradually increasing in size in preparation for milk feeds. He’s hungry!!! 2 day old baby. Can't keep up with cluster feedings. Don't know what to do!: Just got out of the hospital today. Baby must be cluster feeding and I can't keep up to her demand.

Newborn Day 2 Feeding Frenzy Video
Newborn Day 2 Feeding Frenzy 2
Newborn Day 2 Feeding Frenzy 2
Newborn Day 2 Feeding Frenzy 2017

You’ve made it through your first 24 hours as a new mom. Maybe you have other children, but you are a new mom all over again… and now it’s your baby’s second night.

All of a sudden, your little one discovers that he’s no longer back in the warmth and comfort – though a bit crowded – womb where he has spent the last 9 months – and it is SCARY out here! He isn’t hearing your familiar heartbeat, the swooshing of the placental arteries, the soothing sound of your lungs or the comforting gurgling of your intestines. Instead, he’s in a crib, swaddled, in a diaper, a tee-shirt, a hat and a blanket. All sorts of people have been handling him, and he’s not yet become accustomed to the new noises, lights, sounds and smells. He has found one thing though, and that’s his voice… and you find that each time you take him off the breast where he comfortably drifted off to sleep, and put him in the bassinet – he protests, loudly!

In fact, each time you put him back on the breast he nurses for a little bit and then goes to sleep. As you take him off and put him back to bed – he cries again… and starts rooting around, looking for you. This goes on – seemingly for hours. A lot of moms are convinced it is because their milk isn’t “in” yet, and the baby is starving. However, it isn’t that, but the baby’s sudden awakening to the fact that the most comforting and comfortable place for him to be is at the breast. It’s the closest to “home” he can get. It seems that this is pretty universal among babies – lactation consultants all over the world have noticed the same thing.

So, what do you do? When he drifts off to sleep at the breast after a good feed, break the suction and take your nipple gently out of his mouth. Don’t move him except to gently slide him into an upright neutral position with his head to the side. Don’t try and burp him – just snuggle with him until he falls into a deep sleep where he won’t be disturbed by being moved. Babies go into a light sleep state (REM) first, and then cycle in and out of REM and deep sleep about every ½ hour or so. If he starts to root and act as though he wants to go back to breast, that’s fine… this is his way of settling and comforting. During deep sleep, the baby’s breathing is very quiet and regular, and there is no movement beneath his eyelids.

Another helpful hint… his hands were his best friends in utero… he could suck on his thumb or his fingers anytime he was the slightest bit disturbed or uncomfortable. And all of a sudden he’s had them taken away from him and someone has put mittens on him! He has no way of soothing himself with those mittens on. Babies need to touch – to feel – and even his touch on your breast will increase your oxytocin levels which will help boost your milk supply! So take the mittens off and loosen his blanket so he can get to his hands. He might scratch himself, but it will heal very rapidly – after all, he had fingernails when he was inside you, and no one put mittens on him then!

By the way – this might happen every once in a while at home too, particularly if you’ve changed his environment such as going to the doctor’s, to church, to the mall, or to the grandparents! Don’t let it throw you – sometimes babies just need some extra snuggling at the breast, because for the baby, the breast is “home.”

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Our timeline for breastfeeding really begins when we are young. Our exposure to breastfeeding within our family, our community and in the media influences what we think and feel about breastfeeding.

Newborn Day 2 Feeding Frenzy Video

But for many women, it's not until you are pregnant that you really start to think about breastfeeding.

Here's an idea of what a pregnant mum, and her partner, can do and expect during pregnancy, through to the arrival of baby and beyond.

Before the birth of your baby

Newborn Day 2 Feeding Frenzy 2

Prepare your own personal Breastfeeding Plan
Find an ABA Breastfeeding Education Class. If there isn't one happening in your area, or when you need it, contact your local hospital or your health professional.
Join the Australian Breastfeeding Association. Your 12-month membership includes a copy of the Association's book called Breastfeeding … naturally (valued at $34.95) as well as a quarterly magazine called Essence. More information about membership can be found here
Go to your local ABA get-together to meet local mums and mums-to-be.
Watch and talk to other breastfeeding mums.
Talk to your partner about how important breastfeeding is. Ask him or her to attend a Breastfeeding Education Class with you.
Speak to your employer about a return to work policy that supports breastfeeding employees. The Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace site has lots of useful information.

After the birth

Request skin-to-skin contact with your baby as soon as possible after birth. If separation is needed, ask that your baby has skin-to-skin contact with your partner.
Nipple sensitivity is common early on. Pain is NOT. Seek skilled help early to prevent damage to your nipples. Lactation consultants and Australian Breastfeeding Association counsellors have those skills.
Day 1: baby will have a small amount of colostrum (the early, yellow/gold milk) each feed, at least 1 wet nappy and sticky black poo.
Day 2: baby will continue to get small amounts of colostrum at each feed, at least 2 wet nappies and less sticky green-black poo.
Day 3: breastmilk is starting to increase, at least 3 wet nappies and poos are becoming greenish-brown and softer.
Day 4: at least 4 wet nappies and poos becoming a lighter green-brown or may have changed to a mustard-yellow and can be 'seedy' or watery.
Day 5 onward: breastmilk supply increasing, at least 6 heavy wet cloth nappies (or 5 heavy wet disposable nappies) with pale urine, and poo mostly mustard-yellow, soft or liquid at least 3 times every 24 hours. Babies older than 6 weeks may have fewer poos.

At home

Expect to spend lots of time sitting down, feeding your baby!! It is common for young babies to feed 8-12 times or more in 24 hours. You and your baby are working hard to get the right amount of milk happening!
It can take 6-8 weeks for the breastfeeding 'dance' between mum and baby to find its rhythm. Each baby/mother pair is unique with different patterns, so try not to compare yourself or your baby to others.
There are usually lots of questions, from both parents, so your breastfeeding support network is very important at this time. ABA is recognised internationally as a source of breastfeeding information and support, so call us on our national toll-free Breastfeeding Helpline number on 1800 686 268 any time. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Further breastfeeding information, forums and are also easily accessed on our website. We also offer email counselling to our members. See the full range of benefits you get with ABA membership.
Accept all offers of help from friends and family - you deserve it!
Go to your local Australian Breastfeeding Association get-togethers where you will meet mums with babies of the same age, with similar questions and experiences.
Going out with your breastfed baby is easy. You have baby's food ready to go, at the right temperature, in sustainable and attractive packaging (!) any time.
Have your nappy bag packed ready at the door - nappies, wipes, perhaps a baby sling and a change of clothes are really all you need.
If bub is hungry while you are out, feel free to breastfed him/her anywhere you and your baby are legally able to be. Be proud of what you and your baby can do.
Don't hesitate to contact an ABA breastfeeding counsellor by phone or email if you have any questions.
Consult Breastfeeding … naturallyor the articles on the Breastfeeding Information section of the ABA website.

As time goes on

Newborn Day 2 Feeding Frenzy 2

From around 6 weeks, many mums find they have lost that 'full' feeling in their breasts and start to question whether they have enough milk. What is actually happening is that your milk supply is starting to match the needs of your baby - clever you!
If you are concerned about your baby's weight gain, check this information on how to tell if your baby is getting enough milk. If you have any questions, large or small, don't hesitate to contact our trained volunteer counsellors on the Breastfeeding Helpline, or your health professional.
Family foods can be introduced at around 6 months. The World Health Organization recommends that babies continue to receive breastmilk for 2 years, or more, as long as mother and child wish.
Returning to work - explore childcare options that are going to be compatible with your family needs and supportive of caring for a breastfed baby. There are some excellent resources available about returning to work on this part of our website and on the Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace website.
Celebrate your baby's many milestones, small and large. Above all, love your baby and enjoy your time with them!!

Newborn Day 2 Feeding Frenzy 2017

Breastfeeding: an introduction booklet

Breastfeeding: an Introduction provides a basic outline of the key aspects of breastfeeding.