1. Newborns are sleepy and tend to fall asleep during feedings. Try to undress them and do skin to skin to get them to wake up and nurse. 

2. To get them to latch properly put your nipple by their upper lip under their nose and let them open their mouth wide to latch on. 

3. The latch should be a deep latch, don’t try to force your nipple into their mouth. A shallow latch will hurt and not let them get the milk efficiently. 

4. Some babies may have a tongue tie which prevents them from getting a deep latch. It’s helpful to see an IBCLC to check for tongue ties if you are in pain or they don’t seem to be gaining weight. 

5. Babies lose weight in the beginning, it takes time for your milk to come in. All your baby needs is a little colostrum in the beginning. 

6. The More you put your baby to your breast the more it will send signals to your body to produce milk. Frequency and Duration at the breast is key to a successful nursing experience. 

7. The beginning is hard, but it usually smooths out and becomes easier once you get used to it. So don’t give up right away and ask any questions you have to get the support you need. 

8. There are many different positions you can try for nursing. The football hold is a popular one. Using a breastfeeding pillow can help get your baby in the right position while they are still little.

9. There is also the laid back position for those with a big let down, or to help loosen up breast tissue to get baby to latch better. 

10. You can also make a c shape with your hands on your breast to help your baby latch on to the nipple better.

The way to measure if a baby is getting enough is by their output, if they are peeing and pooping properly then they are doing good and you don’t have to worry.