Still Small Voice

Hunger Cues and Normal Behavior

Normal Newborn Behavior

The first hour or two, baby is very alert. This is the best time to nurse. Then baby goes into a very sleepy stage. Offer the breast at least every 2-3 hours during the day, but do not get concerned if he does not take it. Unless your doctor tells you to, you do not need to wake baby at night to nurse. Around 18-24 hours old, she will wake up and may nurse frequently until the larger volume of milk comes in around 2-5 days.

Early hunger cues

Watch your baby for early hunger cues and when you see these, offer the breast. Hunger cues include: REM sleep, squirming around, looking around with eyes open, mouthing hands/ hands to face, licking lips.

CRYING IS A LATE HUNGER CUE.

There are two babies that will not breastfeed. A Screaming baby and one that is sound asleep!

Waking techniques

If you need to wake a sleeping baby for a feeding, try unwrapping baby, change his diaper, massage or gently rub. You can try baby “sit ups”. Remember to be soft and gentle.

Calming techniques

To calm a fussing baby in order to feed, you might try wrapping, patting, rocking. You can let baby suck on a clean finger. “Shushing” works well, while swaying or racking your baby. Once baby has calmed some, you can then offer the breast,

Benefits

Preparing to Nurse: breast changes during pregnancy, bras, nursing pads, and more.

Making Milk: the hormones of Lactation

Latch on and Positioning

Possible challenges

How to know baby is getting enough

Breastfeeding Diet

Links

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