Maternity Blog & News | New Beginnings
Breastfeeding 101: How long should a newborn feed for? | New Beginnings
How long should a newborn feed for? When your new baby arrives, you’re bound to have a million questions. How to swaddle them properly, how to tell whether they’re sleeping enough or too much, or if they’re too hot or cold… and just what are breast pads for anyway? There’s a lot to learn about caring for your newest family member. (Don’t worry, you will get the hang of it!) But questions about breastfeeding are bound to top the list. (Read up on everything they don’t tell you about breastfeeding). From newborn breastfeeding schedules to the right breastfeeding duration for newborn babies and how long you should breastfeed on each side, let us break down some common queries new mums have about new bubs’ feeding habits. How often do newborns feed? For the first two to four weeks after birth, your new arrival will likely be a voracious eater and should be fed on demand – which usually looks like every one-and-a-half to three hours or around eight to 12 times in a 24-hour period. This means you’ll need to feed them throughout the night as well as during the day. And yes, night-nursing is important – it can help your baby gain weight while also building your milk supply if you’re breastfeeding, and it’s important that your newborn doesn’t go without a feed for more than four hours. (Psst: Up late with a nursing babe? Check out our Late Night Breastfeeding Spotify Playlist) or have a listen to one of our 10 Favourite Pregnancy Podcasts. How long should it take to breastfeed a newborn? When it comes to breastfeeding duration for newborn babies, it’s important to remember that there is no set time. After all, every baby (and every mum!) is different. So how long should a breastfeeding session last? Newborn babies can take anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes to 45 minutes or even an hour on one or both breasts. As they get older and get better at breastfeeding (remember, they’re learning too!), they may cut that down to as little as five to 10 minutes per side. Keep in mind that all mothers have different milk storage capacities, too, meaning a baby whose mum has a larger capacity can get more milk in one sitting – and may not need to feed again as quickly. If your bub suddenly seems to be constantly feeding, having lots of short feeds close together or wants to nurse every hour, don’t despair. This doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with your milk supply – it’s far more likely they have entered a phase of cluster feeding, which is a normal and expected part of a baby's growth. How long should I breastfeed my baby each time? Again, there’s no set amount of time for how long each feeding session should take. Your baby will take as long as they need, and that is perfectly normal. When they’ve had enough, there will be some tell-tale signs they’re full – they’ll detach and may seem sleepy and relaxed, or ‘milk drunk’. But can you spend too much time breastfeeding? And how long is too long? Breastfeeding isn’t a race, so please take your time and relax – you’re doing a good job! Always remember that while some babies nurse quickly, others prefer to take their time. Newborn babies are often sleepy while feeding, which can mean things take a little longer, and it could take two or three sittings at the breast before they’re done. But if you’re concerned your baby is taking too long to feed, contact your healthcare professional or a lactation specialist. How long should you breastfeed on each side? Alternating breasts so that each has the same amount of time feeding each day is important, as it can help keep your milk supply up in both breasts and guard against engorgement, which can be painful. However, there’s no time limit as to exactly how long your baby should spend on each side while nursing. Nurse your baby on one side until they stop suckling, then burp them, go to the other breast and feed until your bub stops. Be sure to alternate which side you start the next feed. While most babies will nurse from both breasts during a feed, you may find they’re satisfied after just one, and that’s okay. If that’s the case with your bub, offer the other breast first at the next feeding. When is the best time to breastfeed? After your baby is born, it’s great to nurse them within one hour of their birth if possible. Then, in the days that follow, aim to nurse every one-and-a-half to two hours during the day and no less than every three hours at night. This pattern has been shown to help establish your milk supply and ensure your baby is getting the right amount of nutrients for healthy weight gain and growth. While newborns need to be fed seemingly round-the-clock, most mums have an increased milk supply in the morning, which slowly decreases across the course of the day. This makes mornings a good time to pump if you want to. (Check out everything you need to know about choosing a breast pump or view New Beginnings’ range of electric and handheld pumps.) Of course, following the on-demand/every-couple-of-hours schedule may leave you feeling like you’re constantly nursing, especially if baby is taking their time to feed, meaning there really isn’t a “best time” to breastfeed. Feeding time is really whenever your baby needs milk. However, rather than waiting until your little one is so hungry that they’re crying, it can be a good idea to try to anticipate their needs so they don’t end up distressed (which may stress you out, too). Look out for the earlier signs of a hungry baby, for example, lip licking, sucking their hands or opening their mouth and turning their head (known as rooting). Do I need a newborn breastfeeding schedule? Trying to get a newborn onto a breastfeeding schedule will likely be tricky in the early weeks when you’re feeding on demand – and that is normal. Their tummies are tiny, after all, which is why they need refilling every couple of hours (and remember, feeding on demand also helps establish your milk supply). What you will need to do, though, is wake them for their regular nighttime feeding. While many newborns will wake up when it’s time for a feed, some bubs on the sleepier side need to be coaxed to nurse during the night. If your baby prefers to snooze rather than snack, wake them around every three hours, and don’t leave it more than four hours between feeds in these early days. As your baby grows, they’re likely to fall into a bit of a feeding pattern naturally. By about four weeks, they may sleep up to five hours overnight without a feed, and at anywhere from two to four months old, you may start seeing them fall into a routine. It’s around this time you can start to introduce a sleep/eat schedule that gives you a bit more freedom to eat and sleep, too!Looking for more breastfeeding tips and tricks? Visit our Guide to Breastfeeding Newborns: Breastfeeding Tips for New Mums.
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Breastfeeding 101: What is Newborn Cluster Feeding?
Is your newborn constantly feeding? Learn about cluster feeding, when it happens, its duration, & tips for managing it. Click to read more of New Beginnings' expert guidance!
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Baby Fruit Size By Week: How big is my baby?
Curious about your baby’s size week by week? Explore our fun and informative guide comparing your baby’s growth to fruits and veggies from 1 to 40 weeks. Download your own baby size chart today!
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Afterbirth 101 : 8 things they don’t tell you!
Pregnancy is hard, child-birth is hard, but no one really talks about how hard the recovery after birth can be… Everyone gives you tips on how to manage your pregnancy, and how to look after bub, but what about you? Well we’ve got you mama, we’re here to tell you the top 8 things that you need to know about your body after birth! 1. You will still look pregnant! I know what you’re thinking, “I'll bounce back after I give birth and be ready to go!” Well unfortunately your body needs some time to recover, so your body will feel squishy and doughy for a little while after giving birth. Regardless of your size, every body will take a little while to realise bub isn’t inside anymore. But remember to go easy on yourself, you’ve just had a whole human inside of you!2. Downstairs is a bit of a nightmare…Swelling, stitches, tears, the works! Going to the bathroom and getting comfortable sitting down is a whole endeavour. She’s been through a lot, so take extra care with her! Soaking in a bath, inflatable ring pillows, ice packs and no tight pants! And trust us when we say, don’t get intrigued and get a mirror out, it’s better not knowing at this stage… 3. Time to put on your big girl pantiesWhether you’ve given birth through c-section or vaginal birth, you’re going to need some extra protection down there. It’s extremely common to have heavier periods and discharge after giving birth. This can last for 2-6 weeks, so stock up on your favourite extra long, wide maternity pads (we recommend our Bamboo Maternity Pads) or even some postpartum nappies! Both will definitely be needed, since tampons are a no go during this time! 4. Cramps while breastfeedingYepp, that’s right! Us women can’t escape a cramp or two. During the first few days to weeks postpartum, strong cramps can be experienced during let down. This is actually your uterus contracting back to it’s normal size! Some women find these cramps stronger than labour contractions, so take it easy in our first few weeks. 5. Escape of the breast milkIf you’re breastfeeding for the first time you may notice milk coming from more than one area on your nipple. Don’t worry, you’re not broken, this is completely normal. As there are multiple milk ducts in your breast, milk can come from various different milk ducts at once.6. Hair lossI know, it’s not what you want to hear right? Don’t worry, it’s normal! With your hormones going crazy and bub no longer inside you, you may find increased hair loss around 3 months postpartum. No need to stress though, once your hormones start to balance again you’ll get some beautiful regrowth which may take a while to blend back in… 7. ALL the feels & emotionsYou will never relate more to song lyrics than Hot n Cold by Katy Perry until after childbirth. With your hormones going crazy not only will you experience hot and cold flushes, but your emotions will be all over the place! Yes you’ll start randomly crying because you can’t put your sock on the right way, and if you can’t find the opening for the plastic bag...it’s getting ripped up right away. You’re not going crazy mama, it’s just your hormones trying to keep it together for you. 8. Our body is just constantly leakingEver wondered what it’s like to feel like a dripping tap you can’t turn off? Well lucky you, now you get to find out! Not only will your breasts start leaking when you see any baby smile, laugh, cry, breathe...literally do anything. But your downstairs will also be doing it’s own thing too! Stock up on your maternity pads, nursing pads, wipes, bras, undies, tshirt, basically anything that goes on your body! You might find yourself changing more than bub! For all your first time mums, we’re right here with you. For all your second/third/fourth time mums, girl you’re superwoman! The challenges our body faces when becoming a mum is truly hurdle after hurdle, but you’re strong enough to jump over every single one of them- all while holding bub and brushing your teeth! You should be proud of your body and everything it’s capable of, and for those mama’s who are yet to face it all...good luck! Let us know what was your biggest shock after giving birth, we’d love to hear from you!
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Women's Health Week: Tips to looking after yourself during pregnancy & beyond
This week is Women’s Health Week (WHW). From 6th September to 10th September, WHW aims to bring attention to, and support women’s overall health and general well being. Providing resources and information for those who may be struggling as well as offering a reminder that looking after your health is important. We know that looking after yourself can be difficult at times, with so much going on in our lives. Especially for expecting and new mothers, taking care of you first isn’t always a priority. So we wanted to take this week to remind you that your personal wellbeing is important, and your health both mentally and physically should not be left behind. So what are some ways that you can look after yourself while pregnant or transitioning into motherhood? Pregnancy: Exercise: Not only is exercise beneficial for you physically, but mentally and for your bub’s development. Now we’re not telling you to hit the gym everyday, but incorporating 30-60minutes of light exercise into your daily routine will significantly improve your overall wellbeing. For more information, check out the article here or chat to your doctor about what is best for your situation. Managing Stress: If you’re a first time mum, we understand how stressful the whole pregnancy journey can be. Millions of things running through your brain to learn, remember, buy, plan, the list goes on! But finding a pocket of peace in your daily routine will help you manage this stressful time. Communicating your concerns with those around you, exercising, maintaining your hobbies or even just reading a book are all great ways to manage your stress and take time for you. Rest: Remember to not be so hard on yourself, you’re creating a whole new life and that takes up a lot of energy. Take enough breaks for yourself, even if it's an added 30 minutes to your daily schedule. Getting enough sleep will also help you feel more rested, writing down any tasks or worries before you get to bed will help take the load off your mind so you can focus on a better sleep. Welcome to Motherhood: Motherhood is a whole new ball game. We know how hard it can be to get caught up in the new life, routine and stress but we wanted to remind you that while you’re mum, you’re still YOU. Looking after your own well being as a mum is just as important and looking after your family. So what can you do? Ask for help: You do not have to do it all! They say it takes a village to raise a baby for a reason, motherhood is hard. If you’re struggling with the load, reach out and ask for help. Friends, family and even local community groups are all great resources to get the assistance you need. Whether it be asking a friend to do your grocery shopping, asking a neighbour to put your bins out or a family member to come help watch bub while you sleep, it all adds up! Taking the little things off your plate can make it feel so much lighter, so don’t bear all the weight. Schedule in YOU: Don’t lose your individuality throughout motherhood. Staying in touch with friends, participating in your hobbies and interests, and even having a night off are all great ways to keep balance in your life. Even if it’s once a month, schedule a day in the calendar for something you love to do. Setting these in your calendar not only give you something to look forward to, but create boundaries for yourself and your family. Live in the present: “When she’s older I'll be able to do it again”. “Before I had him, it was easier to do”. If you find yourself wishing for another time, you may find yourself missing the best parts! They grow up so quickly and we often don’t notice until it’s too late. Making sure you’re living in the now and taking in all new experiences and interactions are what make a bond between mum and bub. Not only that, but it helps support your confidence in your own parenting as well as who you are individually. Acknowledging not every parent is perfect and accepting that the challenges along the way are just speed bumps, not stop signs. Take in the messy moments, and you can appreciate the beautiful ones. We know how hard parenting can be and how hard it can be to look after your family and yourself. Throughout your journey of pregnancy to motherhood there are so many challenges and changes that will be thrown at you, but understanding how to manage them will get you through. Remembering that you’re still a human with a unique self worth is the key to finding a balance between mum and me.
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World Breastfeeding Week 2021
World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is held every year to encourage breastfeeding and spread awareness of the benefits for both mothers and babies. The theme for 2021 is Protect breastfeeding - a shared responsibility. Aiming to create an environment that supports breastfeeding in health systems, workplaces and communities of all levels. Breastfeeding & COVID-19 With the impact of COVID -19 worldwide, there has been a significant impact on the number of new mothers breastfeeding. With online media and businesses pushing false information around the spread of the virus, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has seen greater disruptions to the amount of mothers breastfeeding with fears that it will transmit COVID-19. Not only does the WHO support breastfeeding during this time, but so too does UNICEF and the Australian Department of Health. The WHO states that even if a woman is confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19, they can still safely breastfeed.* So we wanted to take this opportunity to remind you about the true benefits of breastfeeding for both mum and bub. Benefits of Breastfeeding You’ve probably heard it time and time again that “breast is best”, but what is the real reason why? There are many reasons why breastfeeding/nursing is beneficial for both mother and baby - physically, mentally and emotionally. For bub: Provides essential nutrients required for growth and development, Lowers risks of infections, diabetes and allergies Safe, clean and protects against common childhood illnesses. Lower infant mortality rate Lowers rates of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Improved brain function Supports digestive health Builds bond and trust between mother and baby Fewer childhood cancers For Mum: Promotes faster weight loss after birth Stimulates the uterus to contract to normal size faster Less postpartum bleeding Boots connection with baby & encourages skin on skin Naturally soothes hormones, reducing stress Increased confidence and self esteem Shared Responsibility Breastfeeding is an experience that connects mum and bub on a level that can not be explained. Not only is it benefits for the growth, development and protection of babies but assists mum with a faster bounce back as well as developing a deeper bond with bub. With the assistance of families, communities and business the aim to increase the number of mothers breastfeeding can be increased. Sharing the responsibility of education and awareness will enable more mothers to feel not only comfortable while breastfeeding but confident to share their experience. Disclaimer: *For more information about Breastfeeding and COVID-19, consult your doctor or healthcare professional. All information provided has been obtained via the World Health Organisation, Australian Government Department of Health and Australian Breastfeeding Association. New Beginnings Maternity understands that breastfeeding is not possible for all mothers. The breastfeeding journey is not an easy one and we understand that it can come easier for others. We aim to respect the choices of all mothers and how they chose to feed. If you have any further concerns or questions about if breastfeeding is right for you, we encourage you to speak to your GP or healthcare professional.
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Maternity Clothing Essentials | New Beginnings
Pregnancy is a whole journey, so being comfortable and prepared for the road ahead will make things a little easier. Finding the right size clothing can be hard enough, let alone when your body is constantly changing, so we’re here to break it down for you. We’re going to have a look at all the basics you need to get you from bump to breastfeeding!Interested in more maternity clothing tips and recommendations? Visit our guide on How to Choose Maternity Leggings.
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Top Baby Names in Australia 2021 | New Beginnings
Welcome to the baby names of Generation Alpha! We’re going to take a look into the most popular baby names Aussie parents are choosing for their new bundles of joy in 2021. With most of the babies being born to Millennial parents, social media as well as family and friends are playing a huge role in how they name their new bubs. The winner is... Well, it looks like Oliver and Charlotte are still reigning champs for the 8th year in a row! With more traditional names such as Amelia and Olivia tracking closely behind along with Noah and William also reflecting a traditional tune. With the influence of the royal family, some of these traditional names look like they’ll be sticking around for a while. Here’s the list of the current top ten girls and boys names for Aussie babies in 2021! Top 10 Girls Charlotte Amelia Olivia Ava Grace Mia Isla Chloe Willow Sophia/Sophie Top 10 Boys Oliver Noah William Jack Henry Lucas Leo Thomas James Charlie The increase in Millennial parents has also led to an increase in unisex names for their babies. Gender neutral names have been used for years, but with the progression of no longer defining personal identity and gender amongst millennials, the desire to choose a gender neutral name is on the rise.Here’s a list of the top 10 unisex names being used by Aussie parents in 2021: Top 10 Unisex Alex Blake Grey/Gray Luca Charlie Parker Riley Dokota Dylan Remi And don’t think we’ve forgotten about all those Covid babies… We have seen trends of parents either avoiding names that sound or look too similar to the words Covid-19, Corona and lockdown or those even choosing their baby’s name to provide some positivity to the world! Top Covid inspired names: Kovyd Corina Ronan Lauchlan Cora Faith Hope Patience Pandemica Asher If you're expecting this year or you've already met your bundle of joy, what name did you chose? Of if you've heard or seen a unique name comment below!
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What are Nursing Pads for & how to use them
Discover everything you need to know about nursing pads! Learn why, when, and which type to choose for comfort and leak protection. Read our Nursing Pads 101 guide now.
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