08/06/2025
💛 The first two days after birth are sacred. It’s a time of bonding, recovery, and laying the foundation for your breastfeeding journey.
Here are key ways from lactation consultant, Amber Thomas, to nurture both your baby and your milk supply in the first 48 hours:
🌿 Golden Hour: Begin with uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth. This supports baby’s reflexes to latch and nurse.
👩🏽⚕️ Ask for Help: Request a lactation consultant, nurse, or birth worker to guide the first latch. Support in these early moments makes all the difference.
🤲🏽 Hand Express: After latching, hand express a few drops of colostrum to stimulate milk production. This golden milk can be offered in a syringe or spoon.
🚿 Delay the Bath: Wait at least 24 hours before baby’s first bath to preserve their natural scent and support bonding.
😴 Day 1 = Sleepy Baby: Baby (and you) are recovering from birth. They may be hard to wake. Use skin-to-skin, a head-to-toe rubdown, and diaper changes to rouse baby for feedings.
🍼 Avoid Artificial Ni***es: Skip pacifiers, bottles, and ni**le shields unless medically needed—this protects baby from ni**le confusion and preference.
📈 Day 2 = Cluster Feeding: Baby becomes more alert and may nurse more frequently. This is normal! Cluster feeding boosts milk production to prepare for the milk transition between Days 3–5.
🧊 Feeling Full? Use ice packs for comfort if breasts feel heavy or leaky.
🕒 If baby isn’t latching well: Hand express or pump every 3 hours for 20 minutes to protect your milk supply.
🤍 Reminder: Baby’s tummy is marble-sized on Day 1 and only needs a teaspoon or two of milk. It’s okay if feeding feels slow—you’re doing beautifully.
