The milk mothers make in those early days is called colostrum or “liquid gold.” This milk is packed with all the nutrients your baby needs. It is small in volume but enough to keep your newborn’s tiny tummy full. Nursing every time your baby is hungry will help to ensure your baby is getting enough and will also build your milk supply. Replacing a feeding at the breast with formula can impact your milk supply and may be a little harder on your baby’s tummy. For the first 4 to 6 weeks, feedings should primarily be at the breast to build and protect your milk supply. If you need to skip a breastfeeding session, be sure you replace it with a pumping session. Many new moms, up to 80 percent of them in fact, actually feel sad, stressed and overwhelmed in the days after birth — this is called “the baby blues.” A mom with the baby blues may also have decreased appetite, irritability and anxiety. These symptoms tend to get better on their own before the end of the second week.
Formula may cause your baby to sleep for longer periods of time, but this is because formula is harder to digest than breastmilk. Babies digest breastmilk much more easily and, because of this, they are ready to eat more often.