Early days of feeding

  • If your breastfeeding journey ended sooner than you had hoped
  • If you began breastfeeding but are now bottle feeding
  • Or if you feel unsure about your feeding options and choices

For feeding support, get in touch with the team: Infant Feeding Team Worcestershire | Children, Young People and Families

What breastfeeding should look like

  • Your baby has 8 or more feeds in 24 hours
  • Is feeding between 5 and 40 minutes at each feed
  • Has normal skin colour
  • Generally calm and relaxed whilst feeding and is content after most feeds
  • Your baby has wet and dirty nappies - See below
  • Breastfeeding is comfortable
  • When your baby is 3-4 days old and beyond, you should be able to hear your baby swallow frequently during the feed.

When you might need support with breastfeeding

Here are some instances when seeking assistance with breastfeeding may be necessary:

  • Your baby is sleepy and has less than 6 feeds in 24 hours.
  • Consistently feeds for 5 minutes or less at each feed or longer than 40 minutes at each feed.
  • Falls asleep on the breast or never finishes the feed themselves.
  • Appears jaundice.
  • Comes on and off the breast or refuses to feed.
  • Not having the required number of wet and dirty nappies (see below)
  • Pain in your breasts or nipples that doesn't disappear after the first few sucks.
  • If your nipple looks pinches or misshaped after a feed.
  • You cannot tell if your baby is swallowing.
  • You think your baby needs a dummy/formula milk.

Breastfeeding nappies

The contents of your baby’s nappies will change during the first week. These changes will help you know if feeding is going well. Speak to your midwife if you have any concerns.

 
Baby's age Wet nappies Dirty nappies
1 — 2 days old 1 - 2 or more per day urates may be present* 1 or more dark green/black ‘tar-like’ called meconium
3 — 4 days old 3 or more per day, nappies may feel heavier At least 2 changing in colour and consistency -brown/green/yellow, becoming looser (‘changing stool’)
5 — 56 days old 5 or more, heavy wet nappies** At least 2, yellow; may be quite watery
7 — 28 days old 6 or more, heavy wet nappies At least 2, at least he size of a £2 coin yellow and watery, seedy
appearance

*Urates are a dark pink/red substance that many babies pass in the first couple of days. At this age, they are not a problem; however, if they go beyond the first couple of days you should tell your midwife as they may be a sign that your baby is not getting enough milk.

**With new disposable nappies, it is often hard to tell if they are wet, so to get an idea if there is enough urine, take a nappy and add 2 – 4 tablespoons of water. This will give you an idea of what to look/feel for.

Bottle feeding advice 

  • By day five, your baby should have six wet nappies and one soft stool daily.
  • Appropriate weight gain.
  • Your baby should appear calm and relaxed during feeding, and calm and content after most feeds.
  • Look for a normal skin colour and waking for feeds.
  • All feeding equipment must be washed and sterilised properly. Learn how to prepare feeds correctly: Bottle feeding leaflet
  • Practice responsively paced bottle feeding: Responsive Paced Bottle Feeding
  • Use first-stage formula, and remember to discard any leftover milk after feeding.