I feel that this is a beginners question and hope you will indulge me -- but I
can't fine a clear answer in my brown bible (though I bet it's in there and I
can't find it).

A 5 day old baby wants to nurse almost all the time he is awake.  I have not
yet seen him in a quiet awake state that when he did not want to suck -- I
have seen him quiet when sucking on his father's finger for a little bit while
his tired mom grabbed a little supper.   Starting around the end of day 3 or
beginning of day 4 mother, G2P2, but first bf, began to feel the breast
"fuller and softer" before and after nursings, and was excited to see a few
drops of milk leaking around the baby's mouth when she eventually popped him
off yesterday -- he never lets go himself.

Mother also said she sometimes has pain that lasts longer htan a moment at
latch; I made some suggestions about positioning -- I think she could support
the breast more, and fix other positioning details, and I hope that will fix
those things.

But do I need to be more worried about milk supply / transfer based on the
baby's behavior?   How young do we need to see quiet, alert time before we
worry?   I am tending to overcaution b/c this mother's previous child had a
very traumatic birth -- baby needed to be rescusitated in the delivery room,
later diagnosed with a tracheo-esophageal fistula which was surgically
repaired at 4 days, but meanwhile mom's milk never came in at all -- she
pumped for a week, got nothing, and gave up in exhaustion before her baby was
discharged.    So with this second baby I am kind of on the lookout for supply
issues.    Mom asked me where to buy nursing bras but said she didn't think
she needs pads -- she never leaks.

The kicker is that so far the mom assumes she will bf this baby, and assumes
that it can't be all that hard -- despite her previous troubles and only
moderate support from her family.   So I am loathe to cry trouble and
undermine that confidence if I don't need to.

Anyone who can help me with diagnostic questions that will help me be
appropriately concerned without inappropriately undermining this mother's
confidence, will be greatly appreciated.

Please reply to me privately as well as to the list since overwork has made me
temporarily nomail.

Thanks -- Elisheva Urbas in NYC
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