How often to feed, sore nipples and engorgement, storing milk, plus what a breastfeeding mother should eat and drink, including iodine.
Supply follows demand
- Supply: your body makes as much milk as your baby takes. More feeds, more milk.
- How often: after the newborn phase, most babies feed about 6–12 times in 24 hours. Shorter, frequent feeds are usually easier.
- How long: a feed takes about 5 to 30 minutes.
- Milk changes: first thinner and thirst-quenching, later richer in fat and filling (Gesund ins Leben).
Latch and position matter most
- Learned together: a good latch and a comfortable position prevent most problems.
- Sore nipples: usually a sign of a shallow latch, not of feeding too long.
- Ask your Hebamme: she can watch a feed and help you adjust (Gesund ins Leben).
Sore nipples and engorgement
- Positions: change regularly; start on the less painful side.
- Air and skin: let a little milk dry on the nipple; avoid synthetic underwear; change breast pads often.
- Milk comes in: feed often. A warm, moist cloth 1–2 minutes before helps flow; cool compresses about 20 minutes after ease swelling (wrap frozen packs in a cloth).
- Too full to latch: express a little by hand or pump first.
- Blocked duct: rest, offer that side first, baby's chin towards the hard area.
- Strong pain: ibuprofen can be taken while breastfeeding.
Storing breast milk
Pumped milk for a healthy baby can be kept in a clean, closed container in the fridge for up to 72 hours, or frozen at -18°C for 3 to 6 months (kindergesundheit-info).
Extra water, tea or formula?
A healthy baby fed on demand does not need water, tea or extra formula. Growth spurts, when your baby wants to feed much more for 2–3 days, are normal and boost your supply on their own. If you are unsure, talk to your Hebamme or Kinderarzt before adding formula. If topping up is needed, there are methods that support breastfeeding, such as a cup, spoon or a feeding tube at the breast.
Take care of yourself
Rest whenever you can, sleep when your baby sleeps and accept help. Invite visitors who bring food or take care of laundry, not those who expect to be hosted.
Eating and drinking while breastfeeding
- Energy: about 400–600 extra kcal a day. Trust your appetite; varied, simple meals rather than sweets (Gesund ins Leben).
- No diets for now: strict dieting can reduce milk and release stored substances; wait until you stop breastfeeding.
- Drinks: at least 2 litres a day, e.g. a glass of water at every feed. Milk-boosting teas have no proven effect.
- Coffee: 2–3 cups of coffee or black tea a day are fine.
- Alcohol: passes into milk; best avoided. On a special occasion, a small glass right after a feed. Alcohol-free beer is fine (Gesund ins Leben).
- Eat everything: no proof that onions, cabbage, beans or citrus cause colic. Avoiding allergens does not prevent allergies.
- Fats and fish: plant oils; oily sea fish about twice a week for DHA (about 200 mg a day). No fish? Ask about supplements.
- Iodine: iodised salt plus 100 µg iodine a day; with a thyroid condition, ask your doctor first (Gesund ins Leben).
Sources
Official German sources, most of them in German.