One week postpartum and there is so much I don’t understand

Advice

It feels like everyone knows what they’re doing but me. I feel like I don’t understand anything. I ask so many questions at all of my appointments and I feel like I get vague answers back. So, if you wouldn’t mind sharing your thoughts or experiences on any of the below, pls do 🙏

  1. Baby is almost back to birth weight and our lactation specialist said we can start feeding on demand. Does that mean we can wait to feed 3-4 hours if she doesn’t seem hungry? What if I start to get engorged? Do I pump? Do I wait for her?

  2. As soon as we heard that we can feed on demand, baby girl started to cluster feed. It seems like the stint of longer feeds hurt her tummy. One night it took her over 2 hours to settle, after spitting up, burping and pooping. So now she’s eating more frequently and only wants to be latched for 5-6 minutes at a time. Is that normal? Does it subside at any point and go back to longer feeds?

  3. When do you start pumping to build a stash? Do you pump while breast feeding? After? How long do you do it? How do you know if it’s too much or too little?

  4. Swaddling… she’s been sleeping in her bedside bassinet like a champ, but we’ve been using a swaddle blanket to swaddle her, not a sleep sack or anything. Our pediatrician recommended it, but it seems like most other use swaddle suits. Is there a reason for that?

Idk guys I’m second guessing everything. I feel like I could be doing everything better. How did you get through these weeks???

Posted Feb 18, 2026, 2:33 AM UTC

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