Getting breastfeeding going: what's normal in the first week?
11-09-2026 — Kraamplein
The first days: colostrum and many short feeds
In the first days after birth, your body produces colostrum — a thick, nutrient-rich precursor to 'regular' breast milk, in small amounts. Around the third day, milk production usually really gets going and the composition changes. It's normal for your baby to want to feed often during this time, sometimes eight to twelve times in 24 hours — that's not a sign there isn't enough milk, but rather how production is stimulated.
Recognising feeding cues
Many babies show they want to feed even before crying: moving more restlessly, sucking on their hands, turning and searching with their head (so-called rooting). Responding to these early cues often makes latching easier than waiting until the baby is upset from hunger.
Painful engorgement
Around day three to five, your breasts can feel tense and painful as milk production gets going — this is called engorgement. Feeding regularly (or, if that isn't working yet, expressing) helps this reduce within a few days. A warm compress before feeding and a cold one after, along with gently massaging the breast, are often experienced as soothing.
The role of your maternity carer
Guidance with breastfeeding is a standard part of maternity care (see A day in the maternity week) — your maternity carer helps with latching, positioning and rhythm, and flags it if something needs extra attention. You already indicate your preference for breast or bottle feeding during the intake interview, so this can be taken into account from day one.
When do you seek extra help?
Getting breastfeeding going almost always takes practice, both for you and the baby — that's not failure. If you're in doubt or have ongoing issues (sore nipples that don't improve, a baby not gaining weight well, persistent, severe engorgement), discuss it with your maternity carer, midwife or a lactation consultant. A lactation consultant specialises in exactly these kinds of questions and can often help concretely and quickly.
In short
- The first days: colostrum, many short feeds — that's normal, not a sign of too little milk.
- Around day 3: milk production gets going, often accompanied by engorgement.
- Respond to early feeding cues (restlessness, sucking on hands, rooting) instead of waiting until the baby cries.
- Your maternity carer guides you through this; for ongoing issues, a lactation consultant can help further.
Also read Visitors after the birth: how much, when and for how long?
This article is general and informational and may be out of date or incomplete. It is not medical or personal advice; for your situation, what your midwife, GP or maternity care provider says applies. You cannot derive any rights from the content, and Kraamplein accepts no liability for damage arising from its use.
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