MemorialCare - Your Guide to Postpartum and Newborn Care

FEEDING VARIATIONS

SWITCHING BREASTS

Health Benefits

• Helps maintain “supply and demand” milk production • Prevents breast engorgement, tenderness, plugged ducts • Stimulates milk flow to help your baby nurse more effectively • Encourages a healthy rate of infant weight gain

While you are getting to know your baby's feeding patterns and milk production patterns, it's best to offer your baby both breasts at every feeding, letting them decide when to switch breasts or stop feeding. If your baby chooses to take only 1 breast during a feeding, make sure you start with the other breast the next time.

SLEEPY BABY

What Can Help

• Undress your baby down to their diaper • Gently rub the bottoms of their feet or their back • Express a few drops of milk to encourage the baby to latch • Massage and compress breast during the feeding to increase milk flow • Talk or sing to your baby while you feed them

Newborns are sleepy for the first couple of weeks because their brains and bodies are still developing rapidly. They also need rest to recover from the process of being born. It may take a few weeks before your new baby can stay awake during feedings, so be patient and keep trying to feed them.

CLUSTER FEEDING

Be Good to Yourself

Cluster feeding may work your body overtime, so be sure to take good care of yourself.

Cluster feeding is when your baby wants to feed frequently over short periods of time, usually at certain times of the day or night. And it’s very common in newborns. Cluster feeding typically happens in the evening, although it’s different for every baby. For example, you may see your baby feed 5 to 10 times over a 2- to 3-hour period, followed by 4 to 5 hours of deep sleep.

• Eat healthy meals and snacks and drink enough water • Create a cozy daytime “nest” and make rest a top priority • Speak with other parents if you need some extra support • Ask family and friends for their help when you need it • Let your baby breastfeed whenever they want

What to Know

GROWTH SPURTS

• Growth spurts typically last from a few days to a week • Happen around: 7 to 10 days, 2 to 3 weeks, 4 to 6 weeks • They are your baby’s way to increase your milk supply so they can grow • Follow your baby’s feeding cues and feed them on demand

Growth spurts are short periods of time when your baby wants to feed much more frequently. In addition to frequent feeding, some babies may become fussy, have trouble settling or sleeping, or become clingier during growth spurts. This is all normal baby behavior.

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Your Guide to Postpartum and Newborn Care