Don’t limit the baby on the breast: Don’t let people tell you he isn’t getting enough. People say the stupidest things that will make you feel like a loser, just ignore them. Your baby is getting enough if there are wet and dirty diapers, weight gain and if the baby is content after eating. We all know how babies act when they’re hungry, if the baby isn’t acting this way he’s full. Also, always let the baby finish, the hind milk has a higher fat content then the milk in the beginning of the feeding so don’t take the baby off the breast once you start. Babies all nurse differently; there is no right way. Some baby’s nurse from both breasts at every feeding, some alternate, and some babies will only nurse from one breast. The latter is fine for the baby but sucks for you cause then you’ll have one big boob!
All night nursing: Don’t get freaked out if the baby nurses all the time. Newborns nurse 8-12 times a day and sometimes for an hour each time. It’s crazy but it’s normal. Rowan nursed every 20 min the first two weeks, holey crap was I tired! Just try to sleep when the baby sleeps or at least rest. They also nurse more during a growth spurt. So don’t be surprised if he’s waking up 2x a night to feed for like a week then one night he’s up every hour, it’s just his way of increasing your milk for his growth spurt.
Put visitors to work: When people visit they want to be helpful, put them to work with getting you food, cleaning up, doing laundry so that you can rest with the baby. It really helps.
Emotional rollercoaster: Don’t get freaked out if you get really emotional when your milk comes in on day 3 or 4 (I was a train wreck). It is just your hormones changing. It is easier to deal with if you know it’s going to happen. I had no idea and my husband was all, “now tara this can happen when your milk comes in†even though he was telling me that I still felt crazy in my head. Your tired, you feel insane, but know that it will pass. So will the uncomfortable engorged boobs. For that, you can lay on your back and put a cold pack on your chest.
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