Short answer: In the first week, most breastfed babies feed very often — every one to three hours, at least 8 to 12 times in 24 hours — and that's how your milk supply builds. Most nipple pain comes from how your baby is positioned and attached, so ask for help early rather than gritting your teeth. Wet and dirty nappies and steady weight gain after the first couple of weeks tell you your baby is getting enough. And if breastfeeding doesn't work out, formula feeding is a safe alternative.
“It's the most natural thing in the world.” Then it's 4am, your baby is crying, your nipple is burning, and you feel like you're failing at something that's supposed to come naturally. Natural doesn't mean automatic. Breastfeeding is a skill you and your baby learn together.
The first few days: colostrum
The first milk, colostrum, is thick and often golden yellow. It's very concentrated, so your baby only needs about a teaspoon at each feed. Expect your baby to feed often — perhaps every hour at first. Skin-to-skin contact straight after birth, and as often as you like afterwards, helps keep your baby warm and calm and supports feeding.
Around two to four days after birth, your breasts usually become fuller as your milk “comes in”. Feeds tend to become a little less frequent but longer.
How often to feed
Feed your baby whenever they show they're hungry and for as long as they want. This is called responsive feeding. Early hunger cues include stirring, sucking fists or fingers, murmuring and turning their head with an open mouth (rooting). Crying is a late sign, and a crying baby is harder to feed.
Night feeds matter: your body makes more of the hormone that drives milk production at night. In the early weeks, topping up with formula or offering a dummy before breastfeeding is established can lower your supply.
Breast milk works on supply and demand. The more often your baby feeds, the more milk you make.
What a good latch looks like
Your baby needs a big mouthful of breast, not just the nipple. When they're well attached, your nipple sits back near the soft palate, where it isn't pinched.
- Your baby's mouth opens wide before latching on.
- Their chin touches your breast and their nose is clear.
- Their bottom lip is turned outwards.
- You can see more of the darker skin around the nipple above the top lip than below the bottom lip.
- Quick sucks change to slow, deep sucks and swallows, with pauses.
- Your nipple doesn't look flattened, wedged or white after the feed.
If it still hurts after the first few seconds, gently slide a clean little finger into the corner of your baby's mouth to break the suction and try again.
Sore or cracked nipples
Some tenderness in the first days is common. But if feeds hurt every time, or your nipples crack or bleed, get help from your midwife, health visitor or a breastfeeding supporter as soon as you can — they can watch a feed and help with positioning. Cracked nipples also raise the risk of infection.
- Keep feeding if you can, or express by hand while you get help.
- Dab a little expressed breast milk on your nipples after feeds.
- Change breast pads at each feed, and wear a comfortable bra without underwire.
- Avoid nipple shields if you can; they can affect how your baby attaches.
Sometimes a tongue-tie makes attachment difficult. Signs include clicking noises during feeds, trouble staying latched and painful feeding. If it's causing problems, a health professional can assess it and discuss treatment.
Engorgement: when your breasts feel hard and full
When your milk comes in, or if a feed is missed, your breasts can feel hard, tight and painful.
- Feed often, and check your baby's attachment.
- Hand express just enough to feel comfortable or to soften the breast so your baby can latch — expressing more makes you produce more.
- A warm cloth briefly before feeding or expressing can help milk flow; a cold compress between feeds can ease pain and swelling.
- Paracetamol or ibuprofen at the recommended dose are considered safe while breastfeeding.
If part of your breast becomes red, hot and painful, or you feel feverish and flu-like, see engorgement, blocked ducts and mastitis.
Is my baby getting enough?
You can't see how much milk your baby takes, but you can check:
- Wet nappies: 2–3 in the first 48 hours, then at least 6 every 24 hours from about day five.
- Poo: black and sticky (meconium) at first; from about day five or six, at least 2 soft yellow poos a day.
- Weight: it's normal to lose some weight in the first days; your baby should then gain steadily after the first two weeks.
- Behaviour: calm during feeds, coming off the breast by themselves, and content after most feeds.
When to get help
- Fewer wet or dirty nappies than above, or a baby who is very sleepy and hard to wake for feeds — contact your midwife, health visitor or GP the same day.
- Yellow skin or eyes in a baby less than 24 hours old, or jaundice with dark yellow or brown pee or pale, chalky poo — get urgent advice from your midwife, GP or NHS 111 (or your local equivalent).
- Painful feeds that don't improve, or cracked, bleeding nipples.
- Emergency: if your baby is floppy, struggling to breathe or has blue or grey lips or skin, call 999 (UK), 911 (US) or 112 (EU).
In the UK, the National Breastfeeding Helpline is open 24 hours a day on 0300 100 0212. La Leche League has volunteer breastfeeding support in many countries.
If it doesn't work out
Sometimes breastfeeding doesn't work, for medical reasons, because of medication, exhaustion, or simply because it isn't happening. First infant formula is the only suitable alternative to breast milk in the first year, and your baby will grow and thrive on it. You can also combine both — see expressing and combination feeding.
The best way to feed is the way that keeps you both well. That isn't a consolation prize.
Related reading
- The fourth trimester: the first six weeks
- Growth spurts and leaps
- Safe sleep: the rules that matter most
Step by step: Breastfeeding with Confidence (PDF, English) takes you through the breastfeeding journey, from panic to confidence.
Sources
- NHS — Breastfeeding: the first few days.
- NHS — Sore or cracked nipples when breastfeeding and Breast pain and breastfeeding.
- NHS Best Start in Life — Milk supply.
- NHS — Tongue-tie and Jaundice in babies.
- World Health Organization — Breastfeeding.
Written by the Bloom Guides editorial team. Last updated: 19 October 2026. General information only — not a substitute for advice from your midwife, health visitor or doctor.