Breastfeeding question...

[MrsRV]

First couple of days, all being well, is it advisable just to feed on demand... I know the milk won't properly come in for a few days. I've heard you should change side every 5 mins for first day, 10 mins second day, 15 mins third day... Then on 4th day when milk is likely to come in properly to do single sided feeds until that breast is completely empty... How do people know all this stuff??? I am still doubtful that I'll "just know"!!!!

Well i just put the baby on the boob every time she cried and let her stay there until she finished. No need to change sides unless youre uncomfortable. I vote for doing whatever feels right - no stopwatch required!

yep just feed on demand. offer one side and let baby nurse until they come off, then see if they want the other side too.

Avoid using a clock for anything to do with breastfeeding. The feeling of uncertainty is entirely normal as is the wish that boobs came with full-empty gauges! The best thing you can do with breastfeeding is ask for help/reassurance from midwives/health visitors/ breastfeeding counsellors at the hospital and on home/clinic visits and try to visit breastfeeding clinics or similar before and after the birth. It takes time to gain confidence and early 'wobbles' don't mean you won't be able to, but it is difficult to do it alone!

Also your breasts won't ever 'empty' - they will just keep on producing milk as long as is necessary, they just won't feel 'full' any more.

Don't bother with timing - if baby squeaks, offer the breast and if he/she wants to eat, then they will!

Oh, the one thing i wish i had known is that babies cry a lot a day or so after birth and the only thing that stops them is the breast. Both times i had midwives saying my baby was starving because i disnt have milk yet and that i should give her a bottle. Both times i said no, thinking nature probably wasnt that stupid. It isnt. Babies suck a lot because that brings your milk in and what mine were doing was totally normal. But i wish someone had told me that it was ok at the time!