What it is
The first day with a newborn is often calm. The first night, and even more the second night, is often not. Nurses call it second night syndrome: a baby who wants to be held and fed all night. It catches almost everyone off guard.
What's typical
After a first alert hour or two, most babies sleep deeply for 6 hours or more. They may feed only a few times on day one. That is normal. Colostrum comes in teaspoons, because the baby's stomach is the size of a cherry. Expect one wet diaper and one black, tarry poop in the first 24 hours. By night two the baby wakes up to the world. She wants the breast, or a bottle, or just your chest, every hour. This is not low milk.
What's known
La Leche League and the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine describe night two as expected newborn behavior. The AAP asks for 8 to 12 feeds a day from here on, by breast or bottle.
What helps
- Skin-to-skin, as much as you can. It settles both of you.
- Hand the baby to your partner or nurse for an hour of sleep.
- Keep a tally of wet and dirty diapers on the whiteboard.
When to call someone
- Nowthe baby is blue, limp, not breathing right, or has a fever. Press the call button or call 911 at home.
- Todayno wet diaper by 24 hours, a baby too sleepy to feed at all, or your own heavy bleeding.
- At your next visitfeeding hurts, or you are not sure the baby is getting enough.
Who helps
Tools: Feeding Prep
Related
- Skin-to-skin and the golden hourGetting Ready for Birth
- Colostrum and the first days before milk comes inFeeding Your Baby
- Diaper counts and what newborn poop looks likeBaby Basics
- Cluster feedingFeeding Your Baby
What mothers here say
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Sources
- La Leche League International — The first few days
- Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine — Clinical protocol on breastfeeding the healthy term infant
- American Academy of Pediatrics — Your baby's first hours of life
Sources are named, not yet linked. The steward verifies each one and adds the link.
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