Breastfeed as soon as possible after birth
It is recommended that your baby be brought to your breast as soon as possible after birth as he/she experiences a quiet period of alertness. During the first 2 hours, the baby’s sucking reflex is strong, thereby making it much easier to obtain an adequate latch.
Please be aware that medications given to you during your labour process may decrease your baby’s alertness and ability to effectively suckle at the breast. However, this is only temporary (usually a few hours) and resolves as the medication wears off.
Also, bringing your baby to the breast soon after delivery is recommended because it promotes milk production. Breastfeeding is based on supply and demand – the more you nurse your baby the more milk you will make. Skin to skin stimulation is the best you can get to obtain the most natural latch and milk production.
When the baby is brought to the breast it stimulates your brain to produce prolactin as well as oxytocin. Prolactin in the hormone primarily responsible for milk production and oxytocin is responsible for smooth muscle contraction that allows the breast to squeeze the milk out.
Fraser is placed onto Mum Errin minutes after birth in water. He is covered by a towel to keep him warm, but he is totally naked underneath to provide skin to skin with mum.
During the early weeks, it is recommended that bottles or soothers not be introduced to your baby as it can interfere with his/her ability to breastfeed.
The suckling needed for breastfeeding is very different than the suckling needed for an artificial nipple. Milk flows more freely from an artificial nipple, with little effort exerted on the part of the baby. This in turn may lead to nipple confusion, as your baby may have difficulty latching onto your breast.
Therefore, it is not recommended that a bottle or soother be used until breastfeeding is well established. Generally, this is around 4 to 6 weeks.
Do not limit the length and frequency of breastfeeding.
Feed your baby on demand and allow your baby to determine when he/she is finished feeding. Every baby is unique in his/her feeding pattern, and therefore there are no set times to feed your baby.
In the first month, your baby will want to feed every 11/2 to 3 hours, or at least 8 to 12 times daily. The amount of time they spend breastfeeding will also vary. Feed your baby according to hunger cues.
Breastmilk is all that your baby needs
Breastmilk is nutritionally complete. It contains all the vitamins and minerals that your baby needs for optimal growth and development for the first 6 months of life.
There is no need to introduce or supplement with any other food (unless medically indicated by your health care provider). By giving your baby only breastmilk, it will help to keep your supply of milk plentiful.
Tess' first feed shortly after delivery by emergency caesarian section