Breastfeeding for Beginners: What Every Mom Should Know

A headshot of Lauren Schrenk, a certified nurse midwife at Haven Birth and Wellness.
Lauren Schrenk
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January 14, 2025
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As a certified nurse-midwife, I have the privilege of helping mothers begin nursing their precious babies for the first time. While this is a beautiful and natural process, it isn’t necessarily intuitive, which is why Haven offers support during the postpartum period.

Whether you’re a first-time mom or a mom who’s struggled with breastfeeding in the past, you may have some anxiety about breastfeeding. To help you feel more confident as you start this journey, I’ll share my insights on breastfeeding for beginners, including foundational principles, helpful tips, and useful resources.

Breastfeeding for Beginners: Why Choose to Nurse?

As I’ve written about previously, breastfeeding provides incredible benefits for both mom and baby.

Breast milk is packed with nutrients and antibodies that support your baby’s growth and immune system, both in the short and long term. For moms, breastfeeding lowers the risk of certain cancers and supports postpartum recovery. And, just as importantly, breastfeeding is a powerful bonding experience that strengthens your connection with your baby.

How to Start Breastfeeding for Beginners: Basic Principles

Understanding some crucial, basic principles can help make breastfeeding a less stressful experience and infuse moms with greater confidence for success.

Breastfeeding on Day 1

When your baby is first born, it’s important to get them to the breast as soon as possible. Initially, you’ll want to nurse at least every two to three hours, which helps establish your milk supply and ensures your baby gets the nutrition they need.

Your baby will lose some weight after birth — this is normal. Frequent nursing helps them regain their birth weight and supports healthy, continued growth.

Understanding Tummy Size

You might be surprised at how tiny a baby’s tummy is just after birth. Knowing the size and growth progression of your baby’s stomach can help you understand why they need to eat so frequently and how much they can handle at one time.

A baby’s tummy size typically follows a progression like this over the first two months:

  • Day 1: Marble size (6 ml)
  • Day 2: Walnut size
  • Week 1: Apricot size
  • Month 2: Egg size
Graphic: Breastfeeding for Beginners

Knowing Your Milk

With such tiny stomachs in their first days, babies can’t take in much milk at once. This is why moms produce a special type of milk — called colostrum — for the first few days postpartum.

Colostrum is a yellowish, rich, concentrated form of milk that provides everything your baby needs in those early days. Every drop is packed with nutrients and antibodies, so your baby doesn’t need more than their little tummies can hold.

After three or four days, your milk will “come in” and remain until you wean. This milk will appear more white than your colostrum, though it may have tints of yellow or blue, which are normal. If you notice red or black, however, contact your healthcare provider right away.

Breastfeeding Schedules

While most babies thrive with feedings every two to three hours even after the first few days, every baby is different. Pay attention to their signals and your instincts to establish a nursing routine that meets their unique needs.

Many babies like to “cluster feed” in the evening, bunching feedings together before bed to help them (and you!) get more rest at night.

Feeding and Pumping

Breastfeeding works on a supply-and-demand basis: The more milk your baby drinks — or, the more milk that leaves your breasts — the more your body produces.

As your milk is regulating in the beginning, it can be tempting to pump the excess. If you don’t want to have to pump indefinitely, however, it’s better to work on reducing demand. Adding pumping sessions early on signals your body to make more milk, leading to oversupply and discomfort.

For the first month, I recommend focusing on nursing directly rather than pumping (unless, of course, you have special circumstances). If your breast feels too full, take a gentle approach of expressing a little milk by hand. This can also help your baby achieve a better latch by softening the breast.

Later, if you need to pump — for work or other reasons — try introducing it gradually after your milk supply has stabilized. Remember, every situation is different. Listen to your body and your baby’s needs.

Practical Tips on Breastfeeding for Beginners

Latching 101

A good latch is key to comfortable and effective breastfeeding. You can help your baby latch deeply with a few simple tips:

  • Sandwich your breast. Use one hand to compress your breast into a hamburger-like shape to make it easier for your baby to latch.
  • Nipple to nose. Start by gently brushing your nipple against your baby’s nose to encourage them to open their mouth wide.
  • Aim for a deep bite. Your baby should take in as much of the areola (the darker area around your nipple) as possible, not just the nipple.
  • Check for flared lips. Both lips should be turned outward, not tucked in.

Let-Down 101

In breastfeeding, “let-down” is when your body tells your breast to release its milk and let it flow. Baby’s latching initiates this reflex, but it functions best when you’re relaxed and calm. One useful trick I recommend is taking a deep breath, in and out, as your baby first latches.

Skin-to-skin contact also makes a real difference in breastfeeding. This closeness allows your baby to smell your milk, encourages their natural feeding instincts, and helps trigger your let-down hormones.

Burping 101

Burping is an important step in the breastfeeding process, and one not to skip. Babies swallow a lot of air while nursing, which is both uncomfortable and an impediment to feeding. With their tiny tummies, excess air can crowd out space needed for nutritious milk.

For this reason, I sometimes recommend burping your baby even before a feeding — especially for generally gassy or reflux-prone babies. Burping midway through, perhaps as you’re switching to the other side, can also be helpful.

Troubleshooting Breastfeeding for Beginners

Leaky Breasts

Though inconvenient, leaking is common in the early weeks as your milk production regulates. Your supply usually stabilizes by six to 12 weeks, but until then, these tips can help:

  • Wear good, absorbent breast pads when you’re out.
  • Avoid constricting clothing and overly tight bras, but ensure your bra provides light support.
  • Hand-express milk when overly full.
  • Try a Haakaa or milk catcher to save excess milk and reduce mess.

Sore Nipples

Mild soreness is normal in the first week of breastfeeding as your body adjusts, but cracked or bleeding nipples are signs of a latch issue. If you experience persistent pain or signs of clogged ducts or mastitis, reach out to your healthcare provider for help. In the meantime, you can:

  • Spread breast milk on your nipples after feeds to promote healing.
  • Use hydrogel pads (we love these by Medela) or chilled Silverettes for soothing relief.
  • Try natural remedies like coconut oil.

Where to Find Breastfeeding Help

Breastfeeding may be natural, but it’s not always easy. If you’re struggling, you’re not alone.

International board certified lactation consultants (IBCLCs) are an incredible resource in our community, and one I encourage many first-time moms and moms who’ve struggled with nursing to take advantage of. Many even offer prenatal visits and will come to your home postpartum, which can make an enormous difference in your confidence and planning.

We recommend these resources in the Nashville area:

All of these accept various insurance plans. Additionally, Tennessee has a free breastfeeding hotline for immediate advice, and La Leche League offers support and resources around the country.

Quote: Breastfeeding for Beginners

Breastfeeding for Beginners: Final Thoughts

When it comes to breastfeeding for beginners, it’s a process of learning and growing together with your baby. With patience, practice, and support, you and your baby will find your rhythm.

Remember, one breastfeeding journey won’t look exactly like any other, so be kind to yourself. You aren’t a failure if you struggle. You and your baby are unique, and together you’ll discover what works best for you both.

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A headshot of Lauren Schrenk, a certified nurse midwife at Haven Birth and Wellness.
Lauren Schrenk, CNM, MSN

Lauren Schrenk is a midwife at Haven Birth & Wellness, dedicated to providing holistic, community-based care. With a deep passion for women’s health and natural birth, Lauren focuses on empowering women through informed choices and personalized care. She is excited to be part of Haven's mission to support families during such pivotal moments in their lives.

Originally from Georgia, Lauren now lives in Nashville with her husband, golden doodle, and their sweet daughter. Outside of midwifery, Lauren enjoys hiking, camping, traveling, and exploring Nashville’s vibrant community.

Disclaimer: The content on the Haven Birth and Wellness website is created and/or reviewed by qualified Certified Nurse Midwives and healthcare professionals. We strive to provide accurate and detailed information for our readers. However, this blog is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. Your own healthcare provider is best equipped to understand your unique situation and medical history. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any decisions that may affect your health.