Motherhood
January 31, 2025
The First Three Days: What No One Tells You
The first three days with your baby can feel like a blur—equal parts amazing, overwhelming, and exhausting. No matter how much you prepared, it’s totally normal to feel like you’ve forgotten everything the moment your baby is in your arms. So let’s take it one day at a time. Here’s what to expect, what’s normal, and how to survive (and maybe even enjoy) these first few days.
You did it. After months of waiting, they’re finally in your arms. You might be running on adrenaline, soaking in every little detail of their face, or just completely wiped out. However you’re feeling—excited, emotional, in shock, or just really hungry—it’s all normal.
Right now, your newborn is figuring out life outside the womb, and you are their safe place. Keeping them close—skin-to-skin, if you can—helps regulate their temperature, breathing, and heart rate. Plus, it makes those early hunger cues easier to spot (rooting, sucking on their hands, or making little mouth movements).
Your body is already hard at work. As soon as the placenta is delivered, estrogen and progesterone levels drop, making way for prolactin and oxytocin—aka the hormones that get milk flowing.
That first milk, colostrum, is thick, golden, and packed with everything your baby needs in tiny, powerful doses. Your baby’s stomach is only about the size of a cherry (5-7ml), so even if it doesn’t seem like much, it’s enough.
Some babies latch right away, while others take their time. If you had a medicated birth or a c-section, your baby might be a little sleepier at first. That’s okay—just keep offering the breast every couple of hours. And if you’re in the hospital, don’t hesitate to ask for a lactation consultant to check the latch or answer questions.
If night one was relatively peaceful, don’t get too comfortable—night two is when things tend to get real.
Your baby suddenly seems fussier, wants to eat nonstop, and might be harder to settle. You might be wondering: Am I not making enough milk? Are they hungry? Is something wrong? Nope. This is completely normal.
Newborns use their hands a lot to help themselves find the breast. If they’re frantically waving tiny fists around, they’re probably hungry. Once their hands start relaxing and opening up, they’re full and content.
Your baby’s stomach has grown to about the size of a walnut, and their appetite is increasing to match. Around 72 hours after birth, your milk volume will start to increase—this is called transitional milk, and it’s your body’s way of shifting from colostrum to mature milk.
As your milk comes in, your breasts might feel full, heavy, or even painful. To relieve the pressure:
✔ Feed often (your baby is the best relief!)
✔ Use a warm compress before feeding to help with letdown
✔ Apply a cold compress after feeding to reduce swelling
✔ If needed, hand express or pump just enough to relieve pressure (but not too much—over-pumping can make it worse)
Sometimes, milk takes a little longer to come in. Common reasons include:
If your milk isn’t increasing as expected, don’t panic. Keep your baby close, nurse frequently, and reach out to a lactation consultant for extra support.
You’re Doing It
These first few days can be intense. Whether you’re feeling over-the-moon, completely drained, or somewhere in between, know that you’re not alone, and you’re doing an incredible job. Take it one feed at a time, rest when you can, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Breastfeeding (and parenting) isn’t always easy, but you’ve got this—and MilkWise is here to help every step of the way.
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