Birth

Your milk will appear yellow or golden. The amount will be small, but it gives your baby a healthy dose of protection against diseases.

Your baby will probably be awake and alert in the first hour after birth and this is a good time for him or her to breastfeed.

First 12-24 hours

Your baby will drink about 1 teaspoon of your milk at each feeding. You may not see the milk, but it has what your baby needs and in the right amounts.

It is normal for some babies to sleep heavily. Labor and delivery are hard work for the baby. Some babies may be too sleepy to latch on well at first. Feedings may be short and irregular.As your baby wakes up, he or she will have a strong instinct to suck and feed very often. Your baby will love the taste of your milk. Many babies like to eat or lick, nuzzle, pause, savor, doze, then eat again. Ask the nurses not to give your baby any formula or water unless needed for medical reasons.

Days 2-5

Your mature milk comes in. It will look bluish white, but may still look a little yellow or golden for about 2 weeks.

Your breasts will feel full and may leak. (You may use disposable or cloth pads in your bra to absorb the milk.) If your breasts become swollen and hard, remove a little milk from your breasts before feeding your baby. Between feedings, use ice packs to reduce swelling (sometimes called "engorgement"),which will go away in 1-2 days. Breastfeeding your baby helps reduce the swelling.

Your baby will feed a lot, at least 8-12 times in 24 hours. Your baby’s stomach is little, so lots of feedings are normal. Breastfed babies don’t eat on a schedule. It is okay if your baby eats every 1-2 hours. Feedings will probably take about 15-20 minutes on each side, but all babies are different. Your baby might take only one side at a time or seem to like one side better. After delivery, it is normal for a baby to lose a little weight. Your baby will regain his or her birth weight by about 10 days to 2 weeks of age.

First 4-6 weeks

Your milk gradually starts to look bluish white at the beginning of a feeding and creamy white toward the end of a feeding. The color may vary a little from day to day. Some foods you eat can change the color of your milk, but this won’t harm your baby.

Your baby will be better at breastfeeding and have a larger stomach to hold more milk. Feedings may take less time and be farther apart. Most breastfeeding babies like to nurse often, because it is comforting and it keeps them close to you.