Breastfeeding Your Newborn: What to Expect from Week 1 to 6

By Angelica Flores 

Gold Mamas co-founder

Welcoming a newborn is a life-changing experience. As a new mom, you might find yourself overwhelmed by the well-meaning advice pouring in from every direction.Breastfeeding is beautiful and bonding, no doubts about that, but it can also be challenging and uncertain, especially during the first few weeks. Let’s walk through what you can expect, keeping things practical and real.

The First Week: Laying the Foundation

How often should I nurse my baby?

Frequent nursing is key in the early days. It helps establish a strong milk supply and prevents uncomfortable engorgement. Aim to nurse at least 10-12 times per day in a 24-hour period. Don’t stress—you cannot nurse too often, but you can nurse too little.

Respond to your baby’s early hunger cues—stirring, rooting, or hands in the mouth—rather than waiting for crying, which is a late signal. Allow your baby unlimited time on the breast when actively sucking before switching sides. If your little one is extra sleepy (common in the first few days), wake them to nurse every 2 hours during the day and every 4 hours at night.

Is my baby getting enough milk?

Worried about whether your baby is getting enough? Here are reliable signs:

1. Weight gain:

It’s normal for newborns to lose up to 7% of their birth weight in the first few days. Once your milk comes in, expect an average gain of 6 ounces per week.

Schedule a weight check with your pediatrician or lactation consultant at the end of the first week.

 

1. Diaper output:

Dirty diapers: By day 4, your baby should be producing 3-4 yellow stools daily, roughly the size of a US quarter or larger. Some babies may poop more often, even during or after every feed—totally normal!

Wet diapers: Expect 5-6+ wet diapers per day once your milk is in. A sufficiently wet diaper should feel like it contains about 3 tablespoons of water.

 

Changes in Your Breasts

By days 2 to 5, your milk transitions from colostrum to mature milk. You may experience engorgement (when your breasts feel overly full or hard). To minimize this discomfort:

1. Nurse frequently.
2. Don’t skip feedings, even at night.
3. Ensure a good latch.
4. Use cold compresses or cabbage leaves between feedings to ease swelling.

If your baby struggles to latch due to engorgement, try reverse pressure softening or hand-expressing a small amount of milk before attempting to latch again.

Call your healthcare provider if:

1. Baby has fewer wet/dirty diapers than expected.
2. Baby’s stools remain dark after day 4.
3. You develop symptoms of mastitis (such as breast pain, redness, fever, or flu-like symptoms).

Weeks Two Through Six: Building Confidence

How often should I nurse my baby?

Frequent nursing remains important to ensure a healthy milk supply. Most newborns need to nurse 8-12+ times per day. Continue nursing on demand, offering both breasts during each session.

Common nursing patterns during this period include:

Cluster feeding: Your baby may want to nurse constantly during certain hours (often in the evening). This can coincide with a fussy period and is entirely normal.

Growth spurts: Expect increased nursing during growth spurts, typically around 7-10 days, 2-3 weeks, and 4-6 weeks.

Is my baby getting enough milk?

As long as your baby is gaining weight steadily and producing an adequate number of wet and dirty diapers, your milk supply is likely sufficient.

Weight gain: Continue to expect an average gain of 6 ounces per week.

Dirty diapers: Look for 3-4 yellow stools daily until about 6 weeks. After this, some babies may stool less frequently (even once every 7-10 days). As long as your baby is gaining weight well, infrequent stools are normal.

Wet diapers: Expect 5-6+ wet diapers per day. After 6 weeks, this may decrease to 4-5 wet diapers daily, but with larger amounts of urine.

Overcoming Common Worries: Milk Supply

It’s natural to worry about milk supply, but if your baby is gaining weight and has adequate diaper output, you’re likely producing enough milk. Remember, nursing is a supply-and-demand system—the more your baby nurses, the more milk your body makes.

Quick Key Points:

• Nurse 10-12 times daily during the first week.
• Watch for hunger cues: stirring, rooting, or hands in the mouth.
• Expect 3-4 yellow stools and 5-6 wet diapers daily by day 4.
• Ensure a good latch to prevent discomfort.
• Cluster feeding and growth spurts are normal.

Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This, Mama!

Breastfeeding is a journey, and like all journeys, it has its ups and downs. Trust your body, trust your baby, and don’t hesitate to seek support from a lactation consultant or your breastfeeding community if you need it. You are not alone. Every latch, every cuddle, every moment spent nursing is a testament to your strength and love.

Your breastfeeding journey is worth every minute!