The first 24 hours of a newborn is crucial for both the mother and the baby! This is the time when bonding between the mother and the baby begins. Whether your delivery is normal or C-section, caring for your baby and your first breastfeeding session is a good start to the parenting and bonding process.
When you hold your baby for the first time:
Nothing can be compared to the feeling of holding your baby in your hands for the first time. The first 2 hours, in particular, are the most alert and awakened hours for the baby. This is the time when you should consider giving the baby a good hug and begin with breastfeeding. When you feel your baby, watch their face for the first time, and hold them in your arms, it creates a lasting bond between both of you. If you have difficulty holding your baby properly, then midwives and delivery nurses can help you hold the baby right and support them with care.
Breastfeeding for the first time:
Babies are sensitive and alert in their first few hours of birth. And, this is a great time to breastfeed your baby. Midwives and nurses are well-trained to help latch the baby and make breastfeeding comfortable. It might not feel as natural as it is at first, but as soon as you are out of the delivery room, you begin to get comfortable with it. Stimulating your breasts early helps get enough breast milk supply for the first feed.
Breastfeeding after C-section:
Mothers who undergo a C-Section, face tough challenges in the first 24 hours. The pain of the surgery can make breastfeeding a difficult task. And, if the baby is too sleepy and isn’t latching well, you can take the help of the nurses to create a comfortable position for feeding. Colostrum, the pre-milk rich in nutrients occurring naturally in breast milk helps build the baby’s immune system and has antibacterial properties. This makes breastfeeding important.
Bottle feeding your baby:
If after C-section the mother isn’t lactating enough or the baby isn’t latching well, the doctors opt for bottle feed. Here a breast pump is used to pump out milk from the mother’s breasts and feed the baby through a bottle. A baby doesn’t need anything more than mother’s milk for the first 6 months. Three days into postpartum, a mother is able to feed the baby well with better lactation.
The initial moments of motherhood might seem challenging, but it also marks the beginning of a wonderful bond!
