Breastfeeding a newborn can feel like a full-time job for many new mums, and it’s worth knowing upfront: that’s completely normal. Breastfeeding is a skill that you and your baby learn together, and it takes time, energy, perseverance and more than a few late nights. You can do this — and we’ve pulled together everything you need to know about breastfeeding a newborn to help you get there.
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Like most things in life, breastfeeding is a skill you learn and practise as you go. Here’s what helps most in those early days.
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Breastfeeding a Newborn: Top Tips
Early Feeding Cues
Knowing your baby’s early feeding cues can take the stress out of getting a good latch, especially in the early days. If your baby puts a hand to their mouth, starts rooting, lip-smacking, or cycling their arms and legs, that’s your cue to offer the breast.
Be Prepared
Regardless of what anyone tells you, your nipples will likely become tender and sore in the early days. Be prepared — pick up some nipple cream and breast pads in advance. Some days, the relief from these alone will feel like a small miracle.
A good nursing bra is also worth having. Until your milk settles, go for a couple of inexpensive ones rather than investing in anything fancy — you can treat yourself once things even out.
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Skin to Skin
It’s well documented that babies who are held close cry less and have lower stress hormone levels — but when it comes to breastfeeding, skin-to-skin contact does even more. It helps boost your levels of oxytocin, the hormone that supports milk production.
Try to get as much skin-to-skin time with your baby as you can. It supports feeding, helps you bond in those early days, and is reassuring for your newborn too.
Scrap the Routine
Watch your baby, not the clock. Breastfed babies feed on demand, and if you’ve bottle-fed before, it can take some adjusting to let go of a set routine — but it’s worth it.
Give Yourself Time
Learning to breastfeed is learning a new skill, for both of you. It takes time, patience and energy. Be kind to yourself and accept help wherever it’s offered. You’ve just had a baby — let your body rest and recover, and take all the support that’s going.
Find Your Tribe
Wherever you live, there’s likely a breastfeeding support group within reach, and it’s worth making the effort to go along. Ask your maternity hospital or midwife about local classes, or look for breastfeeding groups in your area on social media.
Try to prioritise a class or group, and bring your partner along for support too. Meeting other parents going through the same stage, with babies of a similar age, can be a real source of comfort and companionship.
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Milk Worries
In the first few days, your body produces colostrum, and it takes a little time for your milk to come in. Try not to stress about it — easier said than done, but trust your body. Breastmilk is designed to give your baby the right balance of nutrients. Some mums find oats, lactation cookies or fennel tea help — these are widely believed to support supply, though results vary from person to person.
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Don’t Forget to Swap
To help prevent blockages, swap your baby from breast to breast so both sides are emptied over the course of a feed. If your baby dozes off on one side, try switching them to the other.
Keep Hydrated
Breastfeeding is thirsty work, so keep water close by. Before your baby arrives, it’s worth batch-cooking a few meals for the freezer and stocking up on snacks you can eat one-handed while feeding — you won’t regret it.
Don’t Waste Your Money
One thing worth knowing early on: you don’t need expensive nursing-specific clothes. Comfortable, well-fitting nursing bras are the main investment. Tops with buttons down the front, or a stretchy vest layered under another top, work just as well.
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Get Comfortable
A nursing pillow can make a real difference to comfort, and it’s worth looking up different feeding positions before your baby arrives, so you have a few options ready to try.
The cradle hold is the most common, followed by the clutch (or rugby) hold and the side-lying position. Try a few and see what suits you and your baby best.
While the video below was originally made to help parents feeding babies in hospital, it has some genuinely useful guidance on positioning and latch for breastfeeding a newborn, and it’s worth a watch:
Nipple Shields Are Not the Enemy
Nipple shields get a lot of side-eye, but plenty of mothers will tell you they wouldn’t still be breastfeeding without one. Some mums experience cracked nipples early on and need extra support while things heal — a shield is worth considering if you’re really struggling.
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Ask for Help
Before your baby arrives, it’s worth researching qualified, accredited lactation consultants in your area. Ask friends, family, your midwife or your GP for recommendations, and keep the details handy — there’s rarely a breastfeeding problem a good lactation consultant can’t help with.
Costs for consultations and home visits vary, but many parents find an hour with a lactation consultant works out cheaper than a couple of months of formula.
Many maternity hospitals also offer lactation support for a period after birth, so it’s worth checking with yours to see what’s available to you.
Don’t Give Up on a Bad Day
Stopping breastfeeding is a valid choice for any mother, at any point — but try not to make that call on your hardest day. If you’re struggling, reach out for help. There’s a solution to almost every problem, and whatever happens on your breastfeeding journey, you should be proud of what you’ve achieved.
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Health benefits aside, one thing breastfeeding has taught many mums is that it fixes an awful lot — bad moods, wobbly days, all of it. If you know someone starting out on their own breastfeeding journey, drop by with a cake and support them however you can.
Queue up something to watch, keep snacks within arm’s reach, and settle in for those long nursing sessions. They feel endless in the moment, but they really don’t last forever.
Useful websites to bookmark: ALC Ireland, Cuidiu, Kelly Mom, La Leche League Ireland, Friends of Breastfeeding, and Breastfeeding.ie.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know my newborn is hungry?
Watch for early cues rather than waiting for crying — a hand to the mouth, rooting, lip-smacking, or cycling their arms and legs are all signs your baby is ready to feed.
Why does breastfeeding hurt in the first few days?
Some tenderness is common while you and your baby are both learning to latch. Nipple cream and breast pads can help with comfort, and a nipple shield may help too if soreness or cracking becomes a real problem.
Is there anything that helps with milk supply?
Skin-to-skin contact supports milk production naturally, and staying hydrated and well-fed helps too. Some mums find oats, lactation cookies or fennel tea helpful, though everyone’s experience is different.
When should I speak to a lactation consultant?
Any time you feel stuck — persistent pain, latch difficulties, or worries about supply are all good reasons to reach out. Many maternity hospitals offer support for a period after birth, so check what’s available to you, and a private consultant is another option if you need more one-to-one help.
More Great Reads for New Parents
If this was useful, you might also like:
- Newborn Breastfeeding: Expert Advice For The First Few Days
- How to Survive the First 6 Weeks With A New Baby
- What Do You Need For a New Baby? Download Your Baby Checklist!
Save This for Later
Breastfeeding a newborn is a journey, not a straight line, and it helps to have this kind of practical advice on hand when you need it. Bookmark this page or save it to your favourites so you can come back to it during those late-night feeds.
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