Breastfeeding the First Few Hours

by E-NewsCast Team
March 10th, 2010

Your infant has just entered the world a few hours ago. He’sopening his eyes, rooting about, pushing his fists to his mouth,and seeking the comfort of the breast. It’s only natural thatyour baby would have the immediate instinct of wanting to nurse.In the beginning, it may be difficult for Baby to learn to latchon, but his instincts are there. The first few hours after birthare a window of opportunity for Mom to bring Baby close to herskin and give her baby a chance to try nursing. It is within thefirst two hours after birth that an infant is most eager to suck.Why is nursing the first few hours so important? Well, oneimportant reason nursing the first few hours is so important, isMom’s production of colostrum, which is the first foods yourbaby will receive from you (as opposed to mature breastmilk).Colostrum is a clear, yellowish substance that is often termed“liquid gold”, which has many antibiotic and beneficial featuresfor your baby. This colostrum seals your baby’s intestines toprotect him from harmful bacteria. The high protein colostrumdiet stimulates your baby’s first bowel movement (the meconium)as well and decreases the incidence of jaundice.Besides receiving a beneficial high protein, low fat mealstraight from Mom, Baby will also learn to latch onto the breastcorrectly within a few days of giving birth, especially if Momis persistent and available to feed regularly.About supplements No doubt if you give birth in a hospital, yourbaby may very well be offered sugar water or a pacifier. Thehospital staff mean well, but if you plan to nurse your babyregularly, getting your baby off to a good start the first fewdays are crucial. You can ask your nurses not to offer apacifier to your baby, and explain that you will be happy tonurse whenever your baby gets fussy. Pacifiers have beenassociated with problems such as ear infections and earlyweaning. In addition, using pacifiers interferes with Mom’s milksupply. For the first few weeks, especially, it is important tokeep Baby in practice with learning to nurse. Sugar water, onthe other hand, may be given for necessary and medical reasons,such as for a baby who has low sugar levels, or one who hasundergone much stress during labor and delivery. But if thereare no medical reasons for offering sugar water, ask the nursesto bring your baby to you for feedings regularly.Correct Positioning Here are a few steps that may be helpfulwhen beginning a breastfeeding session:1.)Be sure you are comfortable. Relax your body and muscles.Now, bring your baby to you (don’t lean into your baby!) 2.)Withyour opposite hand support your breast with your thumb on topand your fingers below the areola. 3.)Make sure Baby’s mouth isopened wide, and that his lower gum is below the base of theareola. You don’t want Baby to accidentally bite down on the tipof your nipple. That could hurt and send you both in tears!4.)Compress your breasts gently, inserting as much milk intoyour infant’s mouth as possible 5.)When your baby has indicatedthat he’s full, or perhaps has fallen asleep, it’s time to endthe feeding. If baby has not come off the breast by himself, youwill need to break the suction by placing your finger into thecorner of his mouth until you feel the release.BreastcareNo doubt you may find your nipples to be cracked or sore in thebeginning, especially if Baby’s latch wasn’t positionedcorrectly. It is recommended to leave your bra flaps down andallow your nipples to air dry right after a nursing session.There are also ointments and creams made especially for thesepredicaments. You may also find that your breasts are leakingmilk throughout the day. My recommendation would be to nurse asfrequently as your baby requires, especially since breast milkis digested so quickly. Others would rather express their milkmanually or by using a breast pump, in order to store milk forfamily members to help out with feedings. Yet another solution,though temporary, is to wear nursing pads in your bra, to keepthe milk from leaking through your clothing. Remember, though,that your milk is flowing regularly as a normal part of thenursing process, and that your natural let-down reflex issometimes an indication of an upcoming feeding time. Before youbegin pumping, you may want to check the clock to be sure it’snot time to feed Baby again.For more details on breastfeeding and breast care, you cancontact your local local La Leche League. They can help withsecuring equipment, materials, and advice about breastfeeding.– Demetria Zinga is the founder and owner ofwww.faith-media.com, a technology and consulting firm whichspecializes in web design and hosting, graphics and printdesigns, internet marketing, and e-training. She is also thefounder of www.christianladies.net, an interactive ezine, blog,and podcast for Christian women.

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