Guidelines For Breastfeeding Women
(POSTPARTUM PERIOD)
| Milk Supply | Baby’s Activity | Feeding Routine | Breastfeeding | Baby’s Urine & Stool Output | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First 8 Hours | Colostrum should be present. | Baby can be very alert or sleepy in the first hours of life. Allow baby to sleep. | Baby may go into a deep sleep 4 hours or more after birth. Give baby water in dropper. | Put breast in baby’s mouth. After many tries, if refuse, allow baby to sleep. | |
| 8-24 Hours | Same as above | Babies may still sleep and not awaken on their own. Do not awake baby to feed. | Same as above. Or, allow baby to latch on breast. Feedings may be short. | Same as above. | Baby should have at least 1 wet diaper during the first 24 hours. Baby should have a black-green (meconium) stools. |
| Day 2 | Same as above. Mature milk should come in between the 2nd and 3rd day. | Baby should be more cooperative and less sleepy. | Allow baby to latch on breast. Feedings may be short or long and baby may fall asleep on breast. | Same as above. | Should have wet diapers. Baby may have more meconium stools. |
| Day 3 | Mature milk should be in. The breast may be firm and/or leaking. Breasts should feel softer after nursing. | Baby may sleep or awake. Look for feeding cues: lip smacking, hands to face. | Allow 3 to 4 hrs. between feedings. Give baby water between feedings. | Nurse at least 10-15 minutes on each breast. Burp baby after each breast or at end of feeding. Baby swallows regularly while nursing | Should have wet diapers. Baby’s stools should be changing from black-green to mustard color. |
| Day 4 | Same as above. | Baby may or may not sleep long hours; Or, wake up for feedings Do not awake. | Same as above. | Same as above. | Should have wet diapers. Stools should be mustard (yellow) color. |
| Day 5 | Same as above. | Baby should appear satisfied after feeding. | Same as above. | Same as above. | Several clear/wet diapers. Should have several seedy stools daily — more than a “stain” in the diaper. |
| Day 6 | Same as above. | Same as above. | Same as above. | Same as above. Mother’s nipples should not feel tender. | Several clear/wet diapers. Several stool diapers. |