Breastfeeding when you're back in your own house can feel very different from the hospital, where you may have been surrounded by helpers or had an uncomfortable sense of performance anxiety. If you had a stressful experience in the hospital because of unsupportive nurses or that feeling of being in a fishbowl, you can relax: you're on your own turf now, and you and your baby can work this out even if you got off to a rough start. If you're feeling a little anxious about going this alone without the guidance of trained medical staff, remember that women have been nursing babies since the beginning of time.

Your Nursing Nook

First, make sure you set yourself up for relaxing and successful nursing sessions at home. Have you eaten and used the bathroom recently? You may be here a while. Be sure your hands are clean — you'll probably have to get them in or near your baby's mouth again and again. Find a place in your home that will become your nursing nook: a comfortable chair, your bed, or a corner of the sofa. Stock the area with your breastfeeding supplies: a pillow, rolled-up blanket, or other support for your arms, elbows, and baby; water (breastfeeding will make you very thirsty!); magazines or a book; the phone; a stool, stack of books, or something else to rest your feet on; a cloth diaper or towel to catch spraying or leaking milk or spit-up; and anything else you might need. The first few weeks postpartum may begin to feel like one long nursing session — use it as a time to relax, nibble a nutritious snack, sip water or herbal tea, and read a good book.

When Your Milk Comes In

You'll notice that your baby follows a pattern when she nurses. She'll suck faster and more aggressively at first to stimulate the milk-ejection reflex. When your milk comes in, usually sometime between day two and five postpartum, your milk will “let down” or begin flowing after a few minutes of this rapid sucking. When the milk comes out, your baby will switch to a slower sucking pattern, punctuated by swallows, which you can usually hear. Some women don't feel their milk letting down at all, while others feel a tingling or pins-and-needles sensation. Either is normal.

Two Kinds of Milk

The milk your baby is swallowing at first is your foremilk, which is usually thin and looks bluish or watery. It can come out very quickly, especially at first, and your baby may leak quite a bit of it while she's getting the hang of swallowing. After a few minutes, your breast will begin to produce hindmilk, a thick, creamy milk that's higher in fat and nutrients and helps your baby feel full longer. If you switch breasts too soon, your baby may not get enough of the hindmilk, which can lead to gassiness and an overabundant milk supply. Be sure your baby “finishes” the first breast by nursing until she's done. The “rule” of nursing for only ten minutes on one side, then switching, is outdated. New research shows that your baby needs to get her fill of the fatty, nutrient-rich hindmilk that comes later in the feeding. Watch your baby, not the clock. Let her finish one side, burp her, and then switch to the other breast. If she's fallen asleep or isn't interested, be sure to start with the “unused” breast next time. For help with troubleshooting common breastfeeding problems and more information about caring for your breasts over the coming weeks and months, see Chapter 8.