Getting Started
Breastfeeding your baby within the first hour after birth will provide many benefits for both mother and baby:
- Baby's sucking reflexes are strongest during this time and the skin-to-skin contact will help the baby to get a good latch.
- Baby is more alert during this time to learn to breastfeed effectively.
- It boosts the baby's immune system.
- It helps your milk come in sooner and change from colostrum to mature breastmilk.
Colostrum
At first your breasts produce small amounts of milk called colostrum. It is an easily digested yellowish fluid which is rich in nutrients and helps to protect your baby from infections. Between the second and the fourth day, the colostrum begins to change into mature breastmilk. This milk may look thin and bluish, but is full of nutrients and is the perfect food for your baby.
Remember, breastfeeding is a skill and may take time to learn.
Breastfeeding in the first hours
Breastfeeding your baby after a caesarean birth
Skin-to-skin
Your bare chest is the best place for your baby to adjust to life outside the womb. Your baby smells you, hears you, feels you and gets to know you. Skin-to-skin contact means holding your bare baby against your bare chest or tummy.
The first hours of snuggling skin-to-skin help you and your baby bond and get to know each other. Hold your baby belly-down on your chest or tummy soon after birth. Keep cuddling skin-to-skin as often as possible in the months after birth. The benefits for bonding and breastfeeding continue long after that. Skin-to-skin is also better for babies born prematurely or by caesarean birth.
Skin-to-skin benefits for babies:
- Breastfeed sooner and longer
- Breastfeed better
- Cry less and are calmer
- Stay warmer
- Enjoy more comfort from you
- Have better blood sugar levels
- Are protected by some of your good bacteria
Skin-to-skin benefits for mothers:
- Breastfeed more easily
- Make more breastmilk
- Learn when your baby is getting hungry
- Bond more with your baby
- Gain confidence and satisfaction caring for your baby
Family and skin-to-skin
Your family members can also spend skin-to-skin time with your baby. If you have a partner, plan skin-to-skin time together with your baby. It's a great way for you and your partner to spend time together and bond with your baby.
Skin-to-skin is easy. Here's how:
- Take off your baby's blankets and clothing. Leave a diaper on your baby.
- Move clothing away from your chest and tummy.
- Hold your baby, facing you, against your chest or tummy.
- You can put a blanket over you and your baby.
- Enjoy the closeness and bonding with your baby.
If you haven't held your baby skin-to-skin yet, start now! It's not too late.
Cue-based feeding
Breastfeed your baby at least 8 times in 24 hours. Watch for your baby's cues that they are ready to feed.
Hunger cues:
- Hand to mouth movements and rooting
- Wiggling and moving arms and legs
- Sucking sounds and movements
- Soft cooing or sighing sounds
- Rapid eye movements during light sleep
It is best to feed your baby before he is too upset. Crying is a late feeding cue. It is better to try to comfort a crying baby before putting him to the breast. Undress baby to the diaper and hold baby between your breasts. Most babies will calm down, if not try again.