Breastfeeding in the First Three Days - Common Challenges and How to Avoid Them

Breastfeeding in the First 3 Days:

Reassurance, Colostrum, Cluster Feeding, and Latch Basics

This episode is for new mothers and I talk about breastfeeding in the first three days by explaining normal newborn behavior and how to tell your baby is getting enough.

I discuss how your birth experience (long labor, analgesia/anesthesia, C-section) can affect your baby’s alertness and early feeding.

I emphasise skin-to-skin and following feeding cues rather than timing feeds, especially for the first feed.

I explain newborn stomach capacity (about 6 ml), the role and benefits of colostrum, expected weight loss up to 10%, and the purpose of brown fat for early energy needs.

You will learn about cluster feeding patterns, signs milk has come in (full, tender, leaking breasts), basic latch and positioning tips (tummy-to-mummy, nose-to-nipple, cross-cradle and football holds), and using wet/dirty nappy output changes from meconium to yellow seedy stools as a key indicator of intake.

00:00 Breastfeeding First Days

00:47 Birth Effects On Baby

01:28 Golden Hour Skin To Skin

04:08 Tiny Tummy Colostrum

05:38 Immunity Weight Loss

08:47 Cluster Feeding Normal

10:02 Milk Coming In Signs

12:59 Avoid Painful Latch

15:06 Football Hold Option

16:16 Wet Diapers And Poop

18:10 Recap And Next Steps

The first six weeks can feel intense and unpredictable.

My book Baby Steps to Six Weeks guides you day by day so you can recognise patterns, understand your baby, and feel more confident as you go.

Order your copy if you're 36+ weeks pregnant and you want to BE PREPARED.

https://askthevirtualmidwife.com/get-baby-steps-to-six-weeks