The First Feeding

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

13 Jul 2009 05:45 AM

Establishing breastfeeding right away, even minutes after your baby is born can go a long way to making breastfeeding easier. Early breastfeeding can also reduce the amount of stress that your baby has right after birth, soothing her from all of the tension that has built up over the time of labor and delivery.

When my oldest child was born after a very long labor, family immediately burst into the room. As a result, I didn't get to feed my son right away, and in fact, my sister-in-law got to hold him before I did! When I finally got a chance to try breastfeeding, it was hours later, and by that time, my poor little guy was worn out and very sleepy from his ordeal of being born, examined, given a bath, etc. It was an uphill battle to establish a good nursing relationship.

By the birth of my second child, I learned to be much more assertive about the whole thing. Studies show that if you can get your baby introduced to the breast within the first 20 minutes after she is born, then you will have an easier time establishing good breastfeeding. This was certainly true in my experience.

The first feeding should occur immediately after birth. This period of quiet alertness is just the right mood from breastfeeding. This isn't an attempt to have a full meal, but rather just an introduction to the breast, to get things started. Your baby may nuzzle, suck a bit, break off to look up at you, suck a little more, etc. Frequent bursts and then pausing is exactly normal for this first introduction.

As long as your baby is healthy and in no respiratory or other distress, don't let anyone rush your through this first feeding. Your baby needs you at the moment, not nurses, doctors and equipment. Apgar tests can usually be done with your baby in your arms.

After this first feeding, room in with your baby as much as possible, so you will learn her cues for when she is hungry. Opening her eyes, looking around, moving her head back and forth and placing her fist in her mouth are all possible cues that she would like to nurse.

Related Articles:

Nursing with Switch Feeding

How to Increase Your Milk Supply

Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger