If you’re standing at the starting line of your breastfeeding journey thinking, I have no idea what I’m doing, but I really want to try, welcome — you’re exactly where you need to be.

One of the biggest gaps I see as a perinatal nurse is this: people prepare extensively for pregnancy and birth, but once the baby arrives and the placenta is delivered, it can feel like everyone just says, “Okay, good luck!” Breastfeeding often becomes an afterthought — until you’re in it.

So let’s talk about the basics. Not everything. Just the things that actually matter when you’re getting started.

This read is best combined with our Boob Better: Breastfeeding 101 course

Preparation Matters (and You’re Already Doing It)

First things first: preparation is key — and by reading this, you’re already doing it.

Breastfeeding prep doesn’t mean memorizing textbooks or becoming an expert overnight. It means understanding the fundamentals:

How a latch works
How often babies feed
What’s normal in the early days
And, importantly, where to go for help when bumps show up

Because yes — there will be bumps. That’s normal.

If you’re pregnant, learning these basics before baby arrives can make the early days feel far less overwhelming.

How Often Should You Breastfeed?

Short answer: it varies.
More important answer: feed your baby on demand, not on a rigid schedule.

Newborns give early hunger cues long before they cry. These might include:

Rooting or turning their head side to side
Bringing hands to their mouth
Making small sucking motions

If you latch your baby during these early cues, feeding usually goes much more smoothly than if you wait until they’re frantic and screaming like a tiny pterodactyl.

Most newborns will feed:

About every 2–3 hours
At least 8–12 times in a 24-hour period

Even when feeding on demand, it’s very common to worry about whether your baby is getting enough — so let’s talk about how to tell.

The “Fabulous Five”: How to Know Your Baby Is Getting Enough Milk

If you’re unsure, these five signs are your best guide.

1. Weight Gain

It’s normal for babies to lose about 5–7% of their birth weight in the first few days. After day 3–4, they should begin gaining weight and typically return to birth weight by 10–14 days.

Expected gain:

About 4–8 ounces per week
Roughly 1.5–2 pounds per month for the first four month

2. Wet Diapers

A simple rule:

Day 1: 1 wet diaper
Day 2: 2 wet diapers
Day 3: 3 wet diapers

After day 6, you’re looking for 5–6 wet diapers per day consistently.

3. Dirty Diapers (Amount and Color)

Stool changes over the first few days:

Day 1: Meconium (black, tar-like)
Days 2–3: Dark green or green-brown
By days 4–5: Yellow-brown, often seedy

By day 5, expect at least 3 poops per day, roughly the size of a coin.

4. Baby’s Behavior

After feeding, your baby should look relaxed:

Hands unclenched
Body calm
Alert and curious when awake

5. Feeding Frequency

Feeding 8–12 times per day is both normal and necessary for milk production.

And one important reminder: if everything looks “right” but you still feel concerned, always trust your gut and check in with your baby’s provider. You will never be wrong for asking.

What’s Happening With Your Breasts Early On

In the first few days after birth, your body produces colostrum — a thick, yellowish, nutrient-dense milk in small amounts. This is exactly what your newborn needs.

Around 3–5 days postpartum, colostrum transitions into mature milk, which is usually whiter and produced in larger volumes.

As this happens, you’ll start to hear your baby suck, swallow, and breathe in a rhythmic pattern.

Milk Letdown: What It Feels Like

When your baby (or a pump) stimulates your breast, you’ll experience a letdown — the release of milk.

Before letdown:

Baby sucks quickly and shallowly to get milk flowing

Once letdown happens:

Swallowing becomes more noticeable
Breasts may feel fuller or heavier
You may leak from the opposite breast

Letdown sensations vary. Some people feel tingling, pressure, or even sharp “zaps.” All can be normal. If you leak from the opposite breast, a collection cup in your bra can save milk for later use.

Latch Basics: The Coles Notes Version

A good latch matters — a lot.

Here’s a simple breakdown:

Position baby comfortably (head, shoulders, and hips in a straight line)
Stimulate the rooting reflex by brushing nipple along baby’s lips
When baby opens wide, bring baby to the breast (not breast to baby)
Aim nipple toward baby’s nose, with chin contacting breast first
Bring baby up and over the nipple
Check that lips are flanged outward
Look for a wide mouth angle (about 140°, like the Special K logo)
Listen for suck–swallow–breathe without clicking sounds

Breastfeeding Positions to Try

When you’re learning, positions that give you control are your best friend.

Cross-cradle: Great control of baby’s head and breast tissue
Football hold: Excellent for larger breasts and C-section recovery
Cradle hold: Cozy but offers less control
Laid-back: Very comfortable, especially postpartum
Side-lying: Restful, but takes practice

There is no “best” position — only what works for you and your baby.

Should Breastfeeding Hurt?

The answer is loud and clear: no.

Breastfeeding may feel intense or unfamiliar at first, but it should not:

Be sharply painful
Get worse as a feed continues
Cause cracked or damaged nipples

Pain usually signals a shallow or ineffective latch and should be addressed early.

Do You Need a Breast Pump?

The honest answer: maybe — but not always right away.

In places with longer parental leave (like Canada), you often have time to see how breastfeeding goes before buying a pump.

In places where parents return to work sooner (like the US), pumping is often necessary earlier.

The type of pump you need depends on:

How often you’ll be away from baby
How long your workdays are
Whether pumping will be occasional or frequent

You don’t have to decide everything before your baby arrives.

One Final Tip Before You Begin

Get your baby to the breast as soon as possible and as often as they’re interested.

Early, frequent stimulation:

Encourages milk to transition from colostrum
Builds supply
Signals your brain that your baby is here and needs milk

Babies are far more efficient than pumps. If supplementing, always allow baby to stimulate and remove milk from the breast first whenever possible.

Breastfeeding is a learned skill — for both you and your baby. It doesn’t have to be perfect to be successful, and support matters more than perfection.

You don’t have to do this alone.

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