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Baby's first feed
All mothers (including those who have given birth by caesarean section) should be given the opportunity of skin-to-skin contact with their baby immediately after the birth, unless medical complications prevent this. Skin-to-skin contact will help a baby to regulate his body temperature and breathing, and will stimulate the mother’s breastmilk.
If both mother and baby are well, it is a good idea for breastfeeding to begin as soon as possible, as the baby’s sucking reflex is strongest soon after birth. Ideally, a mother should aim to initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of the baby’s life. This will help to establish and sustain successful breastfeeding, and will also help the mother’s uterus to contract and speed up delivery of the placenta. Studies have shown that the more a woman breastfeeds her baby on the first day, the fewer problems she is likely to have later with problems such as engorgement and jaundice in her baby.
Colostrum – the perfect food for the newborn
A mother’s body will begin to make colostrum midway during pregnancy. This first milk, ranging in colour from pale lemon to light brown, contains around three times more protein than mature human milk, as well as antibodies, vitamins and minerals. Most of a baby’s immunities to illness are received in the womb, but colostrum also provides a considerable proportion. Colostrum is made up of over 60 components, 30 of which are exclusive to human milk. Some mothers may want to express a little colostrum into syringes during the last trimester of pregnancy, to freeze, in case either they or their baby face feeding difficulties at birth.
Colostrum helps a baby to produce his first stool to excrete meconium, and lines his stomach and intestines to better defend against bacteria and viruses. This concentrated form of nutrition comes in very small quantities at first, gradually increasing as the baby suckles more, as newborn babies have tummies the size of a marble. An average feed during the first day is only around a teaspoon full.
A baby will typically produce meconium (dark, thick, tar-like stools) for the first two or three days after birth, when stools will change to a green colour, before finally becoming yellow on around the fifth day.
When does mature milk come in ?
The delivery of the placenta triggers the second stage of lactation, and a mother’s milk will ‘come in’ between days three and five. Thereafter, her body will start to produce mature milk, a transition that will take around two weeks to complete. The baby’s tummy will grow to accommodate the greater amounts, and he will need to feed often at first: about 8 to 12 times in a 24 hour period. However, it is important to remember that some babies feed more often, and others less often, so this should not be a problem so long as the baby is gaining well.
How often should a baby feed ?
In general, newborns are more sleepy during the day than at night. Many babies want to feed often, and for long periods, during the first days. Sometimes a feed may last for an hour or more, until the milk supply becomes more plentiful. Other babies may feed for ten minutes or so every half an hour, both day and night. Some babies are very sleepy for the first few days and need to be encouraged to feed at least three-hourly, by being woken during a light sleep cycle (rather than when in deep sleep).
Weight loss during the first week of life
It is perfectly normal for a newborn baby (whether breast or bottle fed) to lose a little weight after he is born. This weight loss is due to the passing of meconium, substances ingested while in the womb and excess fluids. On average a baby will lose 7% of his weight during the first week of life and will, in general, be back up to birth weight at or before two weeks of age.
Routine supplements during the early days are unnecessary
Water supplements fill a baby up, and if he is not so interested in breastfeeding he may not receive sufficient calories. In addition, water supplements do not stimulate bowel movements. This can lead to a build-up of bilirubin in the baby’s body, and bilirubin being reabsorbed it the system, contributing to newborn jaundice.
Formula milk supplements, when given with a teat, can lead to problems with sucking technique and ‘nipple confusion’. Studies have suggested that newborns who are given infant formula are more likely to develop an intolerance of or an allergy to cow’s milk.
A mother whose baby is given supplements is more likely to suffer engorgement due to decreased time spent breastfeeding, and may have difficulty in establishing her milk supply.
