Stand Up for Yourself – But Be Well-Informed First!

This week, I came across a post in a Hungarian moms’ group on Facebook that really caught my attention. Diana wrote:

"Hi everyone! We just got home from the hospital, and I just want to tell you all—yes, you have to stand up for yourselves! My baby boy was born at 4200 grams, cried a lot, and no matter how much I said I thought he was really hungry, the lactation consultant kept insisting I should just keep breastfeeding. Oh, thanks! Every hour? Seriously? Then in the evening, a more reasonable nurse came and finally gave him formula. And after that, he slept for five hours straight! That was definitely the problem—my milk just wasn’t enough. No one can tell me that breastfeeding alone is sufficient. For a bigger baby, it might simply not be enough, and you should stand up for yourselves too and ask for formula if that’s what your baby needs!"

In this post, we’re going to break down why Diana’s conclusion isn’t correct and why you should really (REALLY!!!) think twice before introducing formula. We’ll also discuss what normal newborn behavior looks like in the first few days.

Was Dia’s Baby Really Just Hungry?

Diana believes that her baby was crying because he was hungry, and the fact that he slept for five hours after having formula seemed to confirm this for her. From what she wrote, it seems like supplementing worked for her—but is she still breastfeeding now? Because introducing formula is the first major step toward undermining breastfeeding success—a huge step, in fact! Was formula really the best solution in this situation? And is it actually realistic to expect a newborn to sleep for four to five hours straight after feeding?

What Is “Normal” for a Newborn?

After birth, due to the surge of adrenaline during labor, newborns are usually very alert for the first 1–2 hours. Their suckling instinct is strong, they actively seek the breast, and once they latch, they nurse eagerly. After that, between hours 2 and 20, babies typically rest and recover from the effort of birth, sleeping most of the time. However, by hours 22–24, they become more wakeful, and in the second 24 hours, they nurse at least eight times.

Now, you might be thinking, “That’s every three hours, right? Since 8 times in 24 hours equals 3-hour intervals…” But NO! Absolutely not!

"At least eight times" does not mean evenly spaced, clockwork-like feedings! Many newborns cluster-feed in 2–3 hour blocks, meaning that during those periods, they may want to nurse 5–10 times in quick succession—followed by a longer 4–5 hour break.

At birth, a baby’s stomach is the size of a cherry. By day 3, it’s the size of a walnut, with a volume of about 20–25 ml. Naturally, this means they will eat often in very small amounts! If you try to pour 50–60 ml of liquid into a walnut-sized space, it won’t fit—but a newborn’s stomach is elastic, so they can gulp down 50 ml of formula from a bottle… only to be completely "knocked out" afterward because their digestion isn't yet equipped to handle that volume efficiently.

The Formula Trap

After such a "knockout episode," it’s easy to believe that formula has magically solved the problem. So when the next cluster-feeding phase arrives—exhausting as it may be—it’s tempting to offer formula again instead of the breast. But what’s the issue with that?

The problem is that how you breastfeed in the first few days determines your milk supply later! If formula supplementation isn’t medically necessary, giving it is the first step away from successful breastfeeding.

Not only is your baby not receiving the most appropriate food for them, but your breasts are missing the crucial stimulation they need to produce more milk! Breastfeeding (or pumping) triggers the production of prolactin, the hormone that increases milk supply both in the short and long term.

Additionally, after chugging 50–60 ml of formula, a newborn may start to reject the breast because milk from the breast flows much more slowly than from a bottle. At the breast, they need to trigger the let-down reflex and work for every sip—this can lead to frustration and another step toward breastfeeding failure.

How Often Should You Breastfeed?

The simplest answer is: as often as your baby signals they want to!

Ideally, a newborn should latch within the first hour after birth. But even if that doesn’t happen, it’s crucial that they nurse at least once within their first eight hours of life. In the second eight-hour period, they should nurse at least twice, and the same goes for the third eight-hour period. After that, the general rule is at least eight times in 24 hours, but always based on the baby’s needs, not by the clock!

In the first days, each nursing session will provide just a few milliliters of colostrum—a teaspoon-sized amount—which is incredibly important for:
✔️ Helping the baby pass their first stool (meconium)
✔️ Stabilizing their blood sugar levels
✔️ Providing essential immune factors
✔️ And so much more!

And breastfeeding frequently benefits you too—it helps your body transition gradually into full milk production, making the process smoother and reducing the likelihood of painful engorgement.

The Key to Success: Keep Your Baby Close!

All of this is only possible if your baby stays with you at all times. In fact, I’d go even further—your baby should be on you in skin-to-skin contact as much as possible!

I won’t deny that this can be a tough period. You’re sleep-deprived, recovering from birth, and your entire day revolves around breastfeeding. Try to think of this as a postpartum retreat, where your only job is to care for your baby!

Now, put yourself in your newborn’s shoes: It’s cold, the lights are bright, and everything smells unfamiliar. It’s no wonder that they feel safest on your chest, where:
✔️ The temperature is perfect
✔️ They recognize your scent
✔️ They hear the familiar rhythm of your heartbeat
✔️ They have constant access to food

Can a hospital nursery or crib offer the same? Of course not.

Back to Diana’s Post...

Diana surely meant well and wanted to help other mothers, but unfortunately, her recommendation—introducing formula—is the worst approach for breastfeeding success.

If you want to avoid the "first formula trap" and other common breastfeeding pitfalls caused by misinformation and poor hospital practices, I warmly invite you to join my Breastfeeding 101 course.

In this fun and informative class, you’ll gain the knowledge and confidence to start your breastfeeding journey successfully, ensuring that you can nurse for as long as it feels right for you and your baby.

💜 Wishing you a joyful and fulfilling breastfeeding experience! 💜