Congratulations you have a new baby! Having a new baby is hard 
enough but when you choose to breastfeed you sometimes feel as 
though you made this experience even harder. Breastfeeding is not 
as difficult as it looks or as you may have heard from others. It 
is actually pretty easy and a very fulfilling way to nourish your 
newborn once you get the hang of it. Remember as with most things 
practice makes perfect! Breastfeeding is new to you and to your 
little one but with a little practice you two will become pros 
in no time! 

During the first week of your baby's life, your breasts will 
produce colostrum for your baby to drink. Colostrum is rich in 
antibodies and aids the baby's immune system. It also helps him 
pass his first bowel movement, which is called meconium. Meconium 
is black and tarry looking and is in the first few diapers after 
birth. Then he begins to transition to a brown substance and 
after your milk comes in, it becomes a yellow, mustardy stool 
that is loose and watery. Bottle-fed babies pass firmer, tannish 
stools than breastfed babies. 

After 24-48 hours after birth, your baby will start having wet 
diapers that will increase to two or three a day. 

Your technique and positioning is a very important factor in 
ensuring that your breastfeeding experience is a great one. 
There are a few different positions that can be used to make 
the experience more comfortable for you and baby. Some of these 
positions include: 

 * Laying down - Lay down on you side with pillows behind you 
   to support your back. Lay baby facing you with her head on 
   a pillow your breast should be level with baby's mouth. 
   Bend your legs with a pillow between your knees and then 
   have baby latch on. 

 * Sitting Up - Sit up either in bed or a comfortable chair 
   or couch with pillows supporting your back and head. Place 
   a pillow on your lap and put baby on top of the pillow in 
   your arms, you can rest your arms on the pillow to make it 
   easier to bring baby up to your breast. Bend your knees to 
   make this even easier have baby latch on. 

 * The Clutch Hold - This is also known as the football hold. 
   This position is also good when nursing twins as it allows 
   mom to have a baby on each side. Sit down and tuck your 
   baby under your arm almost like a handbag. Rest baby's 
   head on a firm pillow on your lap. Ensure that baby's feet 
   are behind your back. Your hand is at the back of baby's 
   neck, not on baby's head. Your arm will extend down baby's 
   back, guide baby to latch on.
    

These are just a few of the positions that you can use there is 
also the cradle hold, clutch hold, and the transition position. 
Do some research to learn these other positions to nurse your 
baby if you find the above positions uncomfortable. 

While your baby drinks colostrum and then milk, you should listen 
for a pattern of "suck, suck, suck, swallow." This pattern will 
be rhythmic and there should be no "clicking" noises. The 
"clicking" sound can indicate that your baby is not properly 
latched on and may not be getting enough milk from you. If you 
start to hear this, you need to unlatch him and then reattach 
him. If you continue to hear this sound after reattaching him 
several times, then you may want to consult a lactation 
consultant or your pediatrician. 

After the first week of life, you should see 6-8 wet diapers each 
day and at least 3 bowel movements a day. His urine should be 
clear and he should become more alert with each passing day. Your 
baby should also be gaining weight and growing, as this is the 
surest way to tell that they are getting enough nutrition. If you 
have two days in a row that deviates from the above indicators, 
then you should call your pediatrician immediately. 

Breastfeeding problems, such as milk production difficulties, 
are not as common when using the PDF feeding method, but they do 
occur. Even if you are well rested, eating healthy, have a pretty 
routine life, and your baby is growing and getting enough food, 
you still may experience a milk production issue. Many things can 
cause production problems. Here are just a few. 

Some things that can affect your milk supply are: 

 * What mom eats 
 * How much mom rests and sleeps 
 * Her state of mind 
 * The age of the mom 
 * How many children you have 
 * Your desire to breastfeed 
 * Your nursing capabilities 
 * Your nursing techniques 
 * Baby's latch on abilities 
 

If you choose to breastfeed, it is very important that you take 
your baby for their check-ups as needed. If you don't, how will 
you know if he is getting enough milk and growing at the correct 
rate? There is no way for you to tell that your child is getting 
enough nutrition for sure without your child being weighed. 

Melida Cohen is the author of "Baby's First Year: Everything You 
Should Know but probably don't".  She is a wife and mother to 
3 children ages 1, 7, and 8.  Her goal is to empower new mothers 
and mothers to be.  Visit http://www.CareForMyBaby.com to get 
a free copy of her baby care newsletter or visit her blog at 
http://www.CareForMyBabyBlog.blogspot.com to chat with her and 
other new moms.