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What to expect
In the first hour after birth, hold your baby (without clothes) against your bare chest (between your breasts). This is called skin-to-skin contact and helps your baby get ready to breastfeed.
Breastfeeding in the first hour after birth helps increase your breastmilk and your confidence. It also helps you bond with your baby. Your midwife, child and family health nurse or lactation consultant can help you at this time.
Feeding may take 45 minutes to an hour at first, but it will get quicker as your baby grows.
In the first few weeks your baby will want to be fed every 1-5 hours. This is about 8-12 times over a day and night (24 hours). Every baby is different. Feed your baby when they show you hunger signs.
Most babies will wake up a few times a night to feed. If your baby doesn’t wake up during the night, speak to your family doctor or child and family health nurse.
Breastfeeding your baby takes time to learn. Breastfeeding isn't just about feeding your baby. It also provides comfort and helps you connect with your baby.
How your body gets ready to feed your baby
Even before you give birth your body starts making colostrum. Colostrum is a very special milk full of nutrients that helps develop the babies’ stomach and protects them from getting sick.
Colostrum milk:
- has the perfect amount of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and essential fats for your baby’s growth and to keep them stay healthy
- helps good bacteria in your baby’s stomach and has special growth factors that help their stomach development.
Making milk for your baby
The more your baby sucks at the breast and enjoys skin-to-skin contact, the more milk your body will make.
Did you know a newborn’s stomach is only the size of a cherry? Your breasts will make the right amount of milk that your baby needs, which is only a small amount at this time.
Colostrum is perfect for newborn babies who don’t need much milk in the first 24-48 hours after birth. It is the perfect food and quantity your baby needs until your breasts produce more milk – which is when you will feel that your breasts are heavy. You may notice this around 60-70 hours after birth.
If you are worried, speak to your child and family health nurse, midwife, lactation consultant or family doctor.
Baby led attachment
Baby led attachment is usually used in the first few hours after you have given birth.
When babies are placed skin to skin on their mother's breast and are ready to feed, they usually can find the breast by using their sense of smell and touch (rooting reflex).
The rooting reflex makes your baby search and open their mouth wide when their cheek or chin rubs your breast.
