What matters in the first few days?
As soon as your baby has been delivered, he will be placed to your stomach. It’s a time for both of you to get to know each other and to bond. Baby’s first impression of the world should be the mother's warmth. Its unique moment of life. Later your newborn will be examined by a pediatrician, weighed and measured.
The first few hours after your baby’s birth is a period of adaptation. Watch and care for your newborn. Give him or her time to look to your breast and to find it on their own.
In case of Caesarean section and provided your baby is fine, he or she can be placed on your partner’s stomach. Some psychologists say that it causes closer relationships between father and baby. While you can’t take your newborn immediately, you can also meet him or her in this way. You will receive your newborn as soon as you are ready.
After your baby has taken his or her first feed, you may both take a rest.
What is the first breast milk released called?
The milk that your baby drinks just after birth is called colostrum.It is produced by your breast during final months of pregnancy.
Сolostrum contains more proteins and therefore more antibodies than the milk produced when the baby is a little older. Therefore, the colostrum is particularly important for your baby. At first, your breast produces small amounts of colostrum and the baby can get nervous because of it. Don’t worry. It's a normal situation. The amount of colostrum produced increases every day.
During the first night and the following days, you and your baby will get to know each other better and can practice breastfeeding together. Your breasts also need time to adapt to baby’s needs. Last, but not least: don’t scream, when you breastfeed. Your nipples need time for adaptation, just like fingers when you play the guitar.