Postpartum Support: Breastfeeding Awareness Month
By: DelCharco M.D. OB/GYN
August is National Breastfeeding Month: a time to celebrate breastfeeding, support those who are on the journey, and make sure new moms know they don’t have to figure it all out alone. At DelCharco M.D. OB/GYN, we know that the postpartum period is one of the most demanding and often most undersupported seasons in a woman’s life. Breastfeeding is beautiful, but it’s also genuinely hard work, and we want our patients to feel seen, informed, and cared for through every part of it.
Our postpartum care services are designed to support new moms beyond delivery: through recovery, infant feeding, emotional adjustment, and the return to everyday life.
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“I love seeing Courtney, brightens my mood and is very easy to talk to and ask any questions. Would love to see her everytime I go for my pregnancy check up’s even though they do rotate you between doctors. Very very happy with Courtney!! Always happy to know I have her when I’m on her schedule!” — DelCharco M.D. OB/GYN Patient Testimonial |
What Your Body Is Doing After Birth
The postpartum period brings a cascade of hormonal changes that affect everything from your milk supply to your mood. After delivery, progesterone and estrogen drop sharply: a shift that’s necessary for milk production but that can also trigger significant emotional and physical changes. Prolactin, the hormone that drives milk production, surges and stays elevated as long as you’re nursing.
Understanding that these feelings: tearfulness, emotional sensitivity, exhaustion, physical discomfort are rooted in real physiological changes can be genuinely helpful. Your body is doing extraordinary things. Give yourself the grace that deserves.
Breastfeeding: What’s Normal, What’s Not
A lot of what new moms experience in the early days of breastfeeding is normal and a lot is fixable with the right support. Here’s a quick guide:
Normal in the Early Days
- Colostrum before your milk comes in: The thick, golden first milk is rich in antibodies and exactly what your baby needs in the first days of life. Milk typically comes in between days 2 and 5 postpartum.
- Frequent feeding: Newborns feed 8–12 times in 24 hours. This is not a sign of low supply: it’s what drives supply upward. Feed on demand, not on a schedule.
- Nipple tenderness in the first week: Some initial discomfort during latch is common as your nipples adjust. Pain that persists beyond the first minute of a feeding, or that is severe, is a signal to seek support.
- Cluster feeding in the evenings: Many newborns feed very frequently for stretches of several hours, particularly in the late afternoon and evening. This is normal, not a sign that you aren’t producing enough.
- Engorged breasts as milk comes in: Some engorgement is expected. It typically resolves within a few days as supply regulates.
Signs That Warrant Support
- Pain throughout feedings, or nipple damage (cracking, bleeding): Usually indicates a latch issue that a lactation consultant or your provider can help resolve.
- Baby not regaining birth weight by 2 weeks, or fewer than 6 wet diapers per day after day 5: Signs the baby may not be transferring milk efficiently.
- Hard, red, warm areas in the breast, especially with fever: May indicate mastitis: a breast infection that requires prompt medical treatment. Don’t wait to call our office.
- Feelings of dread, anxiety, or sadness around feedings: This can sometimes indicate Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex (D-MER), a real physiological phenomenon, or it may be a sign of postpartum mood concerns worth discussing with your provider.
Breastfeeding and Your Postpartum Body
Breastfeeding affects your body in ways that are worth knowing about:
- Return of periods: Breastfeeding often suppresses ovulation and delays the return of your period, but it’s not a reliable form of contraception. Ovulation can occur before your first postpartum period, meaning you can become pregnant before you even know your cycle has resumed.
- Birth control postpartum: If you don’t want to become pregnant again right away, it’s important to discuss birth control options at your postpartum visit. Many methods are safe during breastfeeding; some estrogen-containing options may affect milk supply. Your provider will help you find the right fit.
- Nutritional needs: Breastfeeding requires roughly 400–500 extra calories per day. Protein, calcium, iron, and DHA remain important. Keep taking your prenatal vitamins while nursing, and stay well-hydrated. A water bottle at your nursing station is a small habit that makes a real difference.
- Vaginal dryness: The low estrogen state of breastfeeding can cause vaginal dryness that makes intercourse uncomfortable. This is normal and usually resolves when breastfeeding ends. In the meantime, vaginal moisturizers and lubricants can help, and your provider can discuss additional options if needed.
Postpartum Mood: The Part We Don’t Talk About Enough
The “baby blues”:tearfulness, emotional sensitivity, and mood swings in the first 1–2 weeks postpartum — are experienced by up to 80% of new mothers and are directly tied to the hormonal shifts after delivery. They typically resolve on their own.
Postpartum depression (PPD) is different. It’s more persistent, more intense, and it doesn’t just go away with time. It can show up as:
- Persistent sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness
- Difficulty bonding with your baby
- Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
- Anxiety or panic attacks
- Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
PPD affects approximately 1 in 7 mothers and it is not a character flaw, a sign of weakness, or a reflection of how much you love your baby. It is a medical condition that responds very well to treatment. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please reach out to our office. You deserve support, and help is available.
Your Postpartum Appointments Matter
The standard 6-week postpartum visit is not just a formality. It’s an opportunity to assess your physical recovery, address breastfeeding concerns, discuss contraception, screen for postpartum mood disorders, and make sure you’re getting the support you need. Our postpartum care team takes time at this visit; it’s not a quick in-and-out.
Some women benefit from an earlier check-in; particularly those who had a cesarean delivery, difficult labor, or significant perineal trauma, or who are struggling with breastfeeding or mood in the early weeks. Don’t wait for your scheduled appointment if something doesn’t feel right. Call us.
And remember: postpartum care is part of a continuum. After you’ve recovered from delivery, we’re here for all of your ongoing women’s health needs; from annual wellness exams to contraception, pelvic health, and beyond.
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
New motherhood is not meant to be solitary. Whether you’re struggling with breastfeeding, adjusting emotionally, or simply trying to figure out when to call the doctor, our team in Ocala is here to help. No question is too small. No concern is too minor.
Happy National Breastfeeding Month from all of us at DelCharco M.D. OB/GYN. You are doing something remarkable and you deserve care that recognizes that.
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“Front desk were helpful and polite. Amy did my ultrasound and she did it for my first born 5 years ago, it was lovely to see her. Courtney was great and listened to all my concerns.” — DelCharco M.D. OB/GYN Patient Testimonial |
Schedule Your Postpartum Visit in Ocala
To learn more or schedule an appointment, Book your postpartum appointment today or call us at (352) 690-6300.
