Getting breastfeeding off to a good start.
What to know before your baby arrives
Breastfeeding is natural, but that doesn't mean it always comes easily. It's a skill you and your baby learn together, and the early days can feel overwhelming. Knowing what to expect beforehand can make those first weeks much calmer.
The first hour
If you and your baby are well, the ideal is skin-to-skin contact in the first hour after birth. According to the HSE, this helps get the first feed off to a good start, and most babies are alert and keen to breastfeed soon after birth. If skin to skin isn't possible straight away, start when you can. Your birth partner can hold your baby in the meantime.
If your baby doesn't feed right away, that's okay. Some babies need a little longer, and your midwife can help you.
How often will my baby feed?
More often than most people expect. Babies should have at least 10 to 12 feeds a day in the first week, and at least 8 to 10 a day in weeks two and three. Feeds shouldn't be timed or restricted, and night feeds matter for building your supply.
There is a reason for all this feeding. The HSE describes a newborn's tummy as about the size of a cherry on days one to two, a walnut by days three to five, an apricot by the end of the first week and an egg by weeks two to three. These comparisons are a rough guide, but they show why small, frequent feeds are exactly what a new baby needs. Research also estimates that the amount of milk your body makes in the first 24 hours is only about 2 to 10 mL per feed. That is normal, and it is enough.
Feeding often also helps to build your milk supply. Your baby will feed even more during growth spurts, which often occurs at 2 to 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months and 5 to 6 months. Each can last a few days.
How will I know my baby is getting enough?
Nappies are one of the best guides in the early days. This is a guide to what to expect:
Baby's age Wet nappies Poos
Day 1 1 1 (black)
Day 2 2 2 (black)
Day 3 3 (black or green)
Day 4 4 3 to 4 (green or yellow)
Day 5 5 3 to 4 (turning yellow)
6 days to 6 weeks 6 or more 3 to 8 (yellow, seedy, loose)
Your baby's mood or sleep is not a reliable sign of how much milk they are getting. Crying, fussiness and posseting after feeds are common, and they don't necessarily mean your baby is hungry.
Is my baby gaining enough weight?
Most babies lose a little weight in the first few days, then start to gain. The HSE says it is normal to lose up to 10% of birth weight, that gain usually begins by day 5, and that most babies are back to their birth weight by 2 weeks.
Once feeding is established, the WHO growth charts, which are based on healthy breastfed babies, show that gains of around 30 to 40 grams a day are typical in the first three months when a baby is growing well. That is roughly 210 to 280 grams a week. Between 3 and 6 months, growth slows to an average of around 20 grams a day.
Please treat these as a guide and not a pass mark. Babies don't gain evenly from day to day, and healthy babies vary. What matters most is the pattern over time. If your baby's weight is drifting downwards across the centile lines on their growth chart, or you're worried about feeding, it's worth a feeding check. Your public health nurse, GP or midwife can arrange this, or you can contact me. Please don't wait to see if it improves on its own.
After the first 2 weeks, the HSE advises weighing babies no more than once a month up to 6 months, unless there is a concern. If you're worried, you can ask for an extra weigh-in.
Does preparing before the birth make a difference?
Many parents wonder whether it is worth preparing for breastfeeding, and whether the classes on offer make any difference. The research is more nuanced than you might expect.
Confidence matters. Studies of antenatal education built around helping mothers believe in their own ability to breastfeed have found that mothers taking part feel more confident in the early weeks after birth. Some analyses also found more mothers breastfeeding exclusively at six months.
That doesn't mean every class helps. A large Cochrane review of antenatal education found no clear effect on how many women started breastfeeding or how long they continued. The approaches that seem to work best are practical and tailored to you, and they are followed up with support after your baby is born.
That second point matters too. A separate Cochrane review of over 70 trials found that when women are offered extra breastfeeding support, they breastfeed for longer and are more likely to breastfeed exclusively. Face-to-face support and several planned contacts seemed to work best.
This is why I offer antenatal consultations and follow-up support together. Learning the basics in pregnancy, then having someone to turn to when the reality of a newborn sets in, gives you the best foundation.
Should I express colostrum before my baby is born?
You might have heard about expressing colostrum (your first milk) in late pregnancy. The evidence for this is more limited than you might think.
The main study is the DAME trial, which followed 635 women with diabetes in pregnancy at low risk of complications. Women were advised to start expressing from 36 weeks. The researchers found no harm from doing so, and there was no difference in NICU admissions or in how early babies were born.
For women without diabetes, the picture is less clear. Reviews disagree on how helpful it is. One 2025 review said current evidence does not support routine use for all women, while a 2026 review of trials was more positive about its safety and benefit. Some mothers also find it stressful or discouraging when they only get a few drops.
So this isn't something everyone needs to do. It may be useful in certain situations, such as when your baby is likely to need extra milk after birth. Please talk to your midwife or to me before you start.
Things that can help
Ask for help early. The sooner a feeding problem is looked at, the easier it usually is to fix.
Keep your baby close and offer the breast whenever they show feeding cues.
Avoid dummies in the early weeks as they can mask hunger cues and reduce time at the breast.
When in doubt, ask a lactation consultant
You don't need to wait until there is a problem, and you don't need to have "tried harder" first. If something doesn't feel right, or you just aren't sure, it is always okay to ask.
A lactation consultant can watch a feed, look at latch and positioning, check how well your baby is transferring milk, and help you make a plan that works for your family. Whether you're breastfeeding, bottle feeding or doing a bit of both, asking early usually makes things easier to fix.
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal for my newborn to feed all the time?
Yes. Frequent feeding in the early days is normal and helps build your supply.
How do I know if I have enough milk?
Look at your baby's nappies and weight, and how content they are after feeds.
How much weight should my baby gain?
In the first three months, around 30 to 40 grams a day is typical for a baby who is growing well. It slows after that. If you're worried, ask for a feeding check.
Is a breastfeeding class worth it?
Preparation can build your confidence, and the best results come from advice tailored to you plus support after the birth. A Breastfeeding-preparation-intensive consultation can cover both.
When should I see a lactation consultant?
Whenever you're unsure. You don't have to wait for a problem.
When should I get help with feeding?
As soon as you have a concern. Ongoing pain, very few dirty nappies, jaundice that is getting worse or weight worries are all good reasons to ask.
Support in Listowel and North Kerry
I offer antenatal breastfeeding consultations at my clinic in Listowel, Co. Kerry, home visits across North Kerry, and online consultations for families nationwide. If you'd like a longer session to prepare in more depth, you might also like my Breastfeeding Preparation Intensive. You can also contact me at info@bobbidaly.ie with any questions.
