Breastfeeding FAQ

Breastfeeding looks different during various phases of your journey. Here are some tips to help you prepare for breastfeeding and advice on what to expect during the different stages.

While Pregnant

• Stay as healthy as possible by eating well, exercising, resting, and drinking enough water.
• Talk with your family, friends, and health care provider about your plan to breastfeed.
• Ask your WIC counselor how to prepare for breastfeeding. You can reach us at 1-800-500-6411 or via our contact page.
• Find a breastfeeding support group near you.

In the Hospital

• Hold your baby against your chest as soon as possible.
• Cuddle your baby as much as you can.
• Ask for help with breastfeeding if you are feeling unsure or think you need extra support.

The First Few Days Back Home

• Nurse your baby at least 10 times in a 24-hours period
• Expect your milk to increase by the third day after birth. If you are concerned, call WIC at 1-800-500-6411 or reach out via our contact page.
• See your baby’s doctor for a weight check within 48 hours after leaving the hospital.
• If you have to temporarily give your baby some formula, call WIC at 1-800-500-6411 or reach out via our contact page. We can help you get back to fully breastfeeding.

The First Six Weeks

• Expect your baby to nurse more often on some days than others. Call WIC at 1-800-500-6411 to ask if it could be a growth spurt. You can also reach out via our contact page.
• If you are tired and tempted to switch to formula, call WIC at 1-800-500-6411 for tips on getting more rest.
• Take things one day at a time. It will get easier soon. Call WIC at 1-800-500-6411 or a supportive friend for encouragement.

Six Weeks to Three Months

• Expect your baby to continue to nurse often, but with fewer growth spurts when they suddenly need more milk.
• If you’re back at work or school, pump for each missed feeding.
• If your milk supply starts to decrease, breastfeed more often when you are with your baby.

Four to Six Months, and Beyond

• Breastfeeding will feel like second nature now. Keep going and enjoy the rewards!
• Call WIC at 1-800-500-6411 if you have any questions or reach out via our contact page.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends to continue breastfeeding for at least 12 months. You can keep breastfeeding longer, as long as mom and baby want to.

There are several things you can do to get yourself ready for breastfeeding while you are still pregnant. Here are a few tips:

• Stay as healthy as possible by eating well, exercising, resting, and drinking enough water.
• Talk with your family, friends, and health care provider about your plan to breastfeed.
• Ask your WIC counselor how to prepare for breastfeeding.
• Find a breastfeeding support group near you.
• If you can, stock up on basic groceries and household goods.
• Prepare some meals ahead of time. Make double portions and freeze the extra batch.
• Arrange carpools and playdates for older children for after the baby is born.
• If you have a toddler, create a child-proof room where you can breastfeed while your toddler plays.

Yes. Although your breasts may feel soft, you are already making colostrum, your first milk. This special first milk is thick and yellow. It helps your baby learn to suck and swallow and is all they need for now. Even though you may only have small amounts of this first milk, colostrum has protein, vitamins, and lots of antibodies that protect your baby from getting sick.

The key to making plenty of milk is to breastfeed regularly in the early days and weeks after the baby is born. Aim for at least 10 feedings in 24 hours, starting the day your baby is born.

These are some ways of knowing if your baby is getting enough milk:

• Your baby is waking up to breastfeed at least 10 times in 24 hours.
• Your breasts feel softer and your baby seems content after a feeding.
• Your baby has at least 6 wet diapers and 4-5 dirty diapers in 24 hours.
• Your baby gains four to seven ounces each week. This is the most important sign!

If you are concerned that you are not making enough milk to feed your baby, call WIC at 1-800-500-6411 or reach out to us via our contact page.

The key to making plenty of milk is to breastfeed regularly in the early days and weeks after the baby is born. Below are some tips to help you with breastfeeding and producing enough milk. If you are still worried you are not making enough milk, call WIC at 1-800-500-6411 or reach out via our contact page.

Basic Tips

• Expect to nurse at least 10 times in 24 hours.
• Avoid pacifiers and bottles for the first 4-6 weeks, so that your baby does all their sucking at the breast.
• Your baby is getting enough milk if they have at least 6-8 wet diapers and 4-5 five dirty diapers each day.

In the Hospital
In the hospital, babies need to spend a lot of time on your chest, cuddled skin-to-skin. You may feel more comfortable and relaxed, if you:

• Ask unwanted visitors to wait outside while you’re learning to breastfeed.
• Drape a baby blanket over your baby’s back for warmth and privacy.
• Ask your WIC counselor for The Hospital Experience booklet, so you can get more tips on getting breastfeeding off to a good start.

Back at Home
Once you’re home, newborn babies need to be held a lot, especially by mom. Ask a helper to take care of other responsibilities so you have time to rest and hold your baby.

Breastfeed your baby whenever you notice them making early hunger signs. That way, your baby won’t get too hungry and upset before trying to latch on. Examples of early hunger signs are:

• Sucking and licking movements
• Bringing their fists to mouth
• Bobbing their head side to side

Expect nursing patterns to change from one day to the next during the early weeks. Sometimes your baby will want to nurse more often than usual. This may be due to a growth spurt, an illness, a change in routine, or some other reason.

Just keep on nursing. Your breasts are constantly making milk, even when they feel “empty”. After a few days of frequent nursing, your baby will settle back into nursing less often.

Things to Stay Away From

• Not breastfeeding often enough. Don’t try to skip feedings or to space feedings further apart.
• Taking the baby off the breast before they are finished. Let your baby keep nursing if they are still swallowing or still trying to latch on.
• Breastfeeding when your baby is not on the breast properly. If latching hurts, call WIC at 1-800-500-6411 or reach out via our contact page.
• Giving the baby formula or water. It’s best to avoid this, unless recommended by your doctor.

• Feed your baby when they are hungry. Check “How will I know if my baby is hungry” to know which signs to look for.
• Breastfeed your newborn baby 10 or more times in a 24-hour period.
• If your baby is sleeping a lot, you may need to wake her up for some feedings.
• Let your baby decide when she is ready to eat and when to end the feeding.

Look for these early signs of hunger before your baby starts to cry:

• Keeps their hands near their mouth
• Bends their arms and leg
• Makes sucking noises
• Puckers their lips

Don’t wait until your baby starts to cry. A crying baby is hard to feed.

Let your baby decide when they are full. Look for these signs:

• Sucking slows down or stops
• Arms and hands relax
• Baby lets go of the breast
• Baby falls asleep

Before Your Baby is Born

• If you can, stock up on basic groceries and household goods.
• Prepare some meals ahead of time. Make double portions and freeze the extra batch.
• Arrange carpools and playdates for older children for after the baby is born.
• If you have a toddler, create a child-proof room where you can breastfeed while your toddler plays.

After the Baby is Born – Help from Others

You might have people around you who are willing to help, but are not sure how. Here are some suggestions to give them:

• Make meals or bring you healthy snacks.
• Help with household chores like grocery shopping, running an errand, doing laundry, and/or washing the dishes.
• Hold, bathe, or rock your baby while you have a rest.
• Encourage you to take things one day at a time.
• Remind you to call WIC whenever you have questions. You can reach us at at 1-800-500-6411 or via our contact page.

Returning to Work or School
If you are returning to work or school after the birth of your baby and you plan on continuing to breastfeed, there are a few things you can do to make sure you are well prepared.

• For the first three to four weeks after your baby is born, focus on establishing your milk supply by breastfeeding frequently.
• Once you have a good milk supply, pump once or twice a day, and save the extra milk in the freezer.
• Once your baby is breastfeeding well, you can offer a small amount of expressed milk a few times a week to practice paced bottle-feeding.
• Once you return to work, your milk supply may dip during the week. Breastfeed frequently when you are with your baby to build up your milk supply again.

If your baby is fussy after breastfeeding, you might wonder if this is normal or if they are upset about something. 

Possible Reasons for Fussiness

• Your baby is still hungry.
  • Let your baby decide when they are full.
  • See “How will I know when my baby is full?” to know which signs to look for.
• They are going through a growth spurt.
• There is a change in routine.
  • Hold or carry your baby and pay attention to cues, including signs that they are hungry.

How to Know if There is an Issue

• Keep track of your baby’s wet and dirty diapers. Your baby should have 6-8 wet diapers and 4-5 dirty diapers in 24 hours.
• Bring your baby into WIC to see if they are gaining the right amount of weight.
• Learn more about your baby’s cues, growth spurts and cluster feeding.
• Check the baby behavior booklet for tips on soothing a fussy baby.

If you are concerned, call WIC at 1-800-500-6411 or reach out to us via our contact page.

Many medications are safe to take when breastfeeding. However, it is important to always check with a professional before you start using medication. You or your doctor can talk directly to the experts at Mother to Baby. This is a free service. You can reach them by phone or online.

It takes a while before breastfeeding starts to feel normal and natural. Try some positive thinking:

• This isn’t easy right now, but I can do this!
• I am a good mother and I am doing my best!
• I am doing this for me and my baby. It’s hard, but it’s worth it!

Pumping Your Breastmilk

• Before you pump, wash your hands with soap and water
• Make sure the area where you are pumping, and your pump parts and bottles are clean.

Starting the Milk Flow
If you need help to get your milk to start flowing without your baby there, you can:

• Think about the things you love about your baby.
• Bring a photo, a blanket or item of clothing that has your baby’s scent on it.
• Apply a warm, moist cloth to your breasts.
• Gently massage your breasts.
• Gently rub your nipples.
• Visualize the milk flowing down.
• Sit quietly and think of a relaxing setting.

Storing Your Breastmilk
After each pumping, it is important to safely store your breastmilk. You can keep it at room temperature, refrigerate it, freeze it or use cooler packs. How you store it affects how long it will stay good.

• Room temperature: Breastmilk is OK for up to 4 hours after pumping at room temperature (up to 77°F).
• Refrigerator: Breastmilk is OK in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: If you’re not going to use refrigerated breastmilk within 4 days of pumping, put it in the freezer right away. Try to use it within the first six months.
• Cooler packs: You can put breastmilk in a cooler or insulated cooler pack with frozen ice packs for up to 24 hours after pumping. After 24 hours in a cooler, the breastmilk should be refrigerated or frozen.

Tips for Freezing Milk

• Clearly label milk containers with the date the milk was expressed. Include your child’s name if you are giving the milk to a childcare provider.
• Freeze in small amounts (2 to 4 ounces, or 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 cups) for later feedings.
• Leave an inch or so between the milk and the top of the container. It will get bigger when freezing.
• Wait to tighten bottle caps or lids until the milk is completely frozen.
• Store milk in the back of the freezer, not on the shelf of the freezer door, so that it doesn’t start to thaw out.

Thawing Milk

• Thaw the oldest breastmilk first.
• Breastmilk does not need to be warmed. Some moms prefer to serve it at room temperature. Some moms serve it cold.
• Thaw the bottle or bag of frozen milk by putting it in the refrigerator overnight.
• Swirl the milk to mix the fat, which may have separated. Do not shake the milk.
• Use breastmilk within 24 hours of thawing it in the refrigerator. This means 24 hours from when the breastmilk is no longer frozen, not from when you take it out of the freezer.
• Once breastmilk is thawed to room temperature or warmed after being in the refrigerator or freezer, use it within 2 hours. If you have any leftover milk when the baby is finished feeding, throw it out within 2 hours.
• Do not refreeze breastmilk after it has been thawed.

Heating Up Milk
If you decide to warm the breastmilk:

• Keep the container sealed while warming.
• Hold it under warm, not hot, running water, or set it in a container of water that is warm, not hot.
• Never put a bottle or bag of breastmilk in the microwave. Microwaving creates hot spots that could burn your baby and damage the milk.
• Test the temperature before feeding it to your baby by dropping some on your wrist. The milk should feel warm, not hot.

Tips for Breastfeeding in Public

• Wear clothes that allow easy access to your breasts, such as tops that pull up from the waist or button down.
• Use a blanket around your shoulders to cover anything you don’t want to expose in public.
• Breastfeed your baby in a sling. Slings or other soft infant carriers are especially helpful for traveling. They make it easier to keep your baby comforted and close to you. But be aware that infant slings can be a suffocation danger for babies. Check with the Consumer Product Safety Commission for warnings before buying a sling.
• Use a women’s lounge or dressing room in stores if you prefer to breastfeed in a private or quiet space.
• Practice breastfeeding at home with the blanket or other covering techniques if you plan to use them. This helps you and your baby become comfortable with breastfeeding that way.
  
  

Tips for handling criticism

• Remember that the law protects your right to feed your baby any place you need to. You do not need to respond to anyone who criticizes you for breastfeeding.
• Remember that you are meeting your baby’s needs.
• Talk to other breastfeeding moms about how they have handled criticism in public. While no one should ever criticize you for feeding your baby, it might help to know ahead of time what other moms have done in a similar situation.

Take a minute to think about what is important to you as a parent. It might be something like:

• Having a close bond with my baby
• Doing my best to meet my baby’s needs
• Bringing up my children to know that they can trust me
• Helping my family make it through the hard times
  
  

When things don’t go as hoped or planned, we are here to listen so you can figure out a new way to be true to your values and become the parent you want to be.

It’s best to go slowly so your baby does not feel rejected, and you do not get engorged.

• If you want to wean gradually, don’t offer the breast, but don’t refuse it when your baby wants it.
• If you want to wean more quickly, replace one feeding every few days with formula or a snack.
• Bedtime is a difficult time for babies to give up nursing, so don’t start weaning with this feeding.
• Another family member can distract or feed the baby a snack, cup, or bottle to replace nursing.
• Give your baby lots of extra cuddling to make up for the loss of the comfort of nursing

• You will get your period back, if you haven’t already.
• Your breasts will take a few months to return to their pre-pregnancy size.
• Your baby may still wake at night for various reasons (teething, colds, loneliness, etc.).
• Your baby will still need to be held a lot and need a lot of your attention.
• If weaning is happening too fast for the baby to adjust, they may become clingy or fussy.
• It’s OK to wait until they are a little older and then try again.