There’s a lot of excitement and waiting in the last few weeks of the pregnancy. But, as soon as we get home with our bundle of joy, the reality of motherhood starts to sink in! Although it is a very beautiful phase of life, it comes with its own challenges. The pressure to fulfil a baby’s breastfeeding demands leaves very little room to take care of our own health. Thankfully things do settle down slowly with time.
In the initial few days a mother and a baby start getting to know each other. It may be a while before they actually start bonding. While the mother may still be in pain after her delivery, she must be encouraged to begin breastfeeding. The family’s support is very important at this stage. If you do live in a nuclear family, then taking professional support is advisable.
When Should You Begin?
Most mothers begin breastfeeding the baby soon after birth. While some mothers start only after 2 or 3 days after delivery (some hospitals still advise this). This practice delays the secretion of breastmilk and the mother-infant bonding.
Ideally breastfeeding should be started within one hour of the child’s delivery (be it a normal delivery or a C-section). This can be managed with the help of family members or the hospital staff. Early suckling by the baby activates the hormones; and hence gets the mother ready for the next feed. Baby also gets the first immunization in the form of colostrum which is full of antibodies and other anti infective proteins which protect the baby from bacterial infections.
Colostrum also helps to clear the baby’s gut of meconium (dark sticky stools) which helps to prevent jaundice. It is very rich in Vitamin A . It helps the immature intestines to develop and hence prevents the baby from developing allergies and intolerance to foods. Hence it is very important for the newborns to have colostrum for their first few feeds. It is ready in the breasts when the baby is born.
Expert Insight
In my clinical experience I have seen that in most private practice setups, colostrum is generally ignored as it is very little in amount and the mother is in pain after the C-section. The stomach volume of a newborn on the first day is the size of a toy marble i.e. 1-2 teaspoons. So the amount of colostrum is sufficient for the first 1-2 days if the baby is feeding 10-12 times a day.
Do note that babies should not be given any kind of drinks or foods before they start Breastfeeding. Artificial feeds given before a baby has had colostrum could be very dangerous.
Breastfeeding Is Easier Than You Think
We mean it! The last leg of pregnancy is a good time to keep all the recommended practices in mind. For, once the baby arrives it would be difficult to remember all the do’s- especially after the experience in labour. Even if you did not get time to understand the breastfeeding do’s, remember to seek professional help handy. If you are an expectant mother, then you can get in touch with us here for our expert tips and advice.