Breastfeeding: What's Normal, What Isn't, and When To Seek Help

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​As a new mom, it's important to know when things are going well with breastfeeding because when you know what is healthy and normal, you're able to better understand when it's time to seek help .

If you're pregnant, the best way to prepare and gain knowledge of what is normal about breastfeeding is to attend a good breastfeeding class in order to learn the basics. In addition to taking a breastfeeding class, reading as much as you can on recommended website and books will be helpful. If you're on Facebook, one of the best ways to seek recommendations on helpful breastfeeding resources is by asking in reputable "mommy-groups" where breastfeeding is embraced.

Whether you're expecting, are just just getting started with breastfeeding or have been nursing for a while, yet aren't sure what is normal and what isn't, the lists below will help you understand what is normal for your breasts, and for your baby, and when to know it's time to ask for help.

What IS normal for breasts:

• It's normal for breasts to feel "empty" the first few days after birth
• It's normal to feel some discomfort (not full-on pain) when you first start latching your baby
• It's normal for nipple discomfort not to get worse and to be gone within a week
• It's normal for only a glisten of colostrum to be seen by you
• It is normal for your breast to feel full-ish or heavier by day 3-5
• It is normal for your breast to feel very, very, very full by 2-9
• It's normal for some breast to feel so full they hurt
• It's normal for moms to feel a painless pull and tug when baby is nursing
• It's normal to feel tingling after a few days/weeks/months when your milk is letting down
• It's normal not to ever feel tingling after a few days/weeks/months when your milk is letting down
• It's normal for your breasts to leak, especially during the first few weeks
• It's normal for your breast to feel less full after a few weeks even if you are exclusively breastfeeding .

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What ISN'T normal for breasts:
If you have doubts about your milk supply, your baby's weight or baby's pees/poops, consult your baby's doctor, your midwife or your lactation consultant immediately.

• It's not normal for nipples to be overly sore, bruised, cracked, or scabbing, during any season of breastfeeding
• It's not normal for even mildly sore nipples to feel worse not feel better by a week after delivery
• It's not normal for breasts to feel full meanwhile no milk is being removed by your baby or your pump
• It's not normal for breasts to appear red, feel hot or for you to run a fever while you feel these symptoms
• It's not normal for you not to feel or see a difference in your breasts from pre-pregnancy to after 7 days after after you baby is born
• It's not normal for your nipples to burn, itch or hurt between feedings or pumping sessions.

What IS normal for your baby:

• It's normal for a baby to feed every 1-3 hours the first few days and week
• It's normal for a baby to tug your breast while nursing
• It's normal for you to see and hear your baby swallowing
• It's normal for babies to be happier being held the first weeks and months of life
• It's normal for your baby to only want to soothe on your breast
• It's normal for your babies poop to be yellow and watery after day 4
• It's normal for your baby to poop several times per day during the first few weeks
• It's normal for your baby to pee 5 or more times per day after their 4th day of life
• It's normal for a baby to lose a few ounces after birth
• It's normal for your baby to start gaining weight again after a week
• It's normal for your baby to spit up every now and then

What ISN'T normal for your baby:
​If you have doubts about your milk supply, your baby's weight or baby's pees/poops, consult your baby's doctor, your midwife or your lactation consultant immediately.

• It isn't normal for a baby to chew, clamp or pull on your nipple without an easily explainable reason (teething, loud noise scared baby, etc.)
• It isn't normal for a baby not to meet their pee and poop goals
• It isn't normal for your baby's poop to still be black or dark after 4 days
• It isn't normal for your baby to appear progressively yellow after the first days home from the hospital
• It isn't normal for your baby to not start gaining back their birthweight by day 7, or not be fully back to birthweight by day 14
• It isn't normal for your baby to cry for long stretches of time
• It isn't normal for your baby's face or neck to seem asymmetrical (twisted, or misaligned) for more than a few days
• It isn't normal for a breastfed baby to sleep more than 4 hours consistently during the first few weeks
• It isn't normal for baby's to have dry lips, tongues, eyes or sunken soft-spots on the top of their head
• It isn't normal for baby to have thick white anything that you can't wipe off on their tongue or cheeks
• It isn't normal for your baby to seem uncomfortable during all or most of his feeds
• It isn't normal for a baby to projectile-vomit after all of their feeds, even if they're happy after spitting up
• It isn't normal for babies to appear in pain after all feeds
• It isn't normal for your baby to not wake up to feed at least every 2-4 hours during their first weeks of life.

And, if you are pregnant, you might want to see a lactation consultant prenatally if any of these sound familiar to your situation:

• If you have very flat or inverted nipples to which baby will not latch
• If you have history of breast surgery or scarring (reductions, augmentations, nipple piercings, etc.)
• Markedly asymmetrical breasts; when one breast is significantly larger or differently shaped than the other (almost every woman has differences in her breast size; this refers to very obvious differences)
• If a mom has a history of hormonal imbalance/endocrine issues
• If mom is or plans on taking a medication whose compatibility with breastfeeding is unknown

Imperfect breastfeeding IS more common than it's made to seem by many. "Bumpy" breastfeeding can be smoothed out by reaching out for support as soon as you know you're having issues.

If you are in San Antonio, Texas, Laura Gruber, IBCLC is happy to help!