Did you know that American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all babies be breastfed within the first hour of birth? Breastfeeding so soon after birth is beneficial to Mom and Baby, alike. Unfortunately, between the hustle and bustle of medical care and the euphoria of new parenthood, many doctors don’t encourage early nursing attempts and many parents simply don’t think of it or don’t know that it is an option.
Breastfeeding causes contractions of the uterus which are beneficial to Mom. These contractions help the uterus clamp down and control post-partum bleeding. They can even help expel a placenta. Often, if a mother is having heavier than usual bleeding, she will be encouraged to nurse her baby but nursing preemptively is an even better idea.
Breasts produce colostrum in the late weeks of pregnancy, the perfect food for a newborn, also known as “liquid gold.” Early boosts of colostrum encourage babies to maintain birth weight, steady blood sugar, pass bowel movements and reduce the likelihood or severity of newborn jaundice.
Breastfeeding promotes bonding between Mom and Baby. A healthy newborn enters a period of calm and quiet alertness right after birth that is nature’s way of offering the new pair a great opportunity to share this first experience. Shortly after birth, babies often enter a sleepy period and the opportunity to nurse may be delayed for many hours.
For mothers who have both scheduled or unplanned cesarean sections, breastfeeding right after birth is still important and it is usually a viable option so long as Mother and Baby are both healthy and stable. A nurse, midwife, father or doula can all aide the mother in helping the baby to latch on while her doctors finish her procedure. This early bonding can be particularly beneficial for c-section moms who have a much higher incidence of post-partum depression.
Breastfeeding is a supply-and-demand business. The earlier and more frequently a baby nurses, the faster a Mom’s milk will come in. Breastfeeding early and often promotes future success.