Does my newborn always need to breastfeed first?

Although you may be advised to make sure the newborn always breastfeeds first, this advice usually only holds for the first few days until your milk “comes in.” Prior to this point your breasts are making colostrum for the newborn (and it will transition into “mature milk” in the early weeks). This “liquid gold” is high in immune properties and agents that prepare the newborn’s gut for the milk to come. Because colostrum is in limited supply after birth, you will want to be sure that your newborn gets first dibs.

Often tandem nursing mothers find they have such abundant supplies after their milk comes in that little coordination is necessary. By monitoring your newborn’s pattern of nursing and signs of sufficient milk, you will know how best to coordinate your nurslings.