Initiation of Breastfeeding (English)

Summary

This video emphasizes the importance of initiating breastfeeding within the first hour after birth and maintaining skin-to-skin contact with your newborn. It explains how colostrum, the first milk, provides essential nutrients and antibodies, supporting immunity, brain development, and digestion. The guide highlights feeding patterns based on the baby’s tiny stomach capacity and reassures mothers that even C-section or low birth weight babies can breastfeed early. It also warns against giving prelacteal substances like formula, water, or honey, which can disrupt breastfeeding and pose health risks. The video underscores that a mother’s milk offers optimal nourishment for the baby’s growth and bonding.

Takeaways

• 👶 Placing a newborn in skin-to-skin contact at the breast within the first hour after birth stabilizes temperature, respiratory rate, and blood sugar.
• 🧠 Early skin-to-skin contact stimulates brain development and strengthens the bond between mother and baby.
• 🥛 The first milk, colostrum, is rich in antibodies and nutrients and acts as the baby's first immunization.
• 🛡️ Colostrum helps prevent infections, allergies, and assists in clearing the baby's first stool, reducing jaundice.
• ⏱️ Breastfeeding should ideally begin within the first hour after birth, even after a C-section, once the mother feels comfortable.
• 🍼 Premature or low birth weight babies may require expressed breast milk initially or more frequent feeding sessions.
• 🍇 A newborn's stomach is very small on day one, holding only 5–7 ml, so small, frequent feeds are essential.
• 💧 Signs that a baby is getting enough milk include passing light-colored urine 1–2 times on day one, increasing over the next few days.
• 🚫 Introducing water, sugar water, honey, or formula before breastfeeding can increase risks of allergies, infections, and interfere with milk production.
• 👩‍🍼 The mother's body continues to produce the right amount of breast milk, providing optimal nutrition for the baby after birth.

Q & A

Why is it important to place a newborn in skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth?

Skin-to-skin contact stabilizes the baby's temperature, respiratory rate, and blood sugar, stimulates brain development, and helps build a strong bond between the mother and baby.

What is colostrum, and why is it important for newborns?

Colostrum is the first milk produced after birth, rich in antibodies and nutrients. It helps prevent infections and allergies, aids in clearing the baby's first stool, and reduces jaundice.

Can breastfeeding start immediately after a C-section?

Yes, breastfeeding can begin as soon as the mother feels comfortable holding her baby. Skin-to-skin contact is encouraged even in the operating room in most cases.

How should breastfeeding be managed for babies with low birth weight but not premature?

Breastfeeding can begin immediately, but these babies may require more frequent feedings and may be sleepier during feeds.

What should be done if a baby is born prematurely and cannot breastfeed initially?

Premature babies may start by drinking expressed breast milk until they develop the ability to breastfeed directly.

How much milk does a newborn stomach hold on the first day?

On the first day, a newborn's stomach is about the size of a grape and can hold approximately 5 to 7 ml per feeding.

What signs indicate that a newborn is receiving enough breast milk?

Signs include passing light-colored urine once or twice on the first day, increasing to 6–8 times by the second day as more milk comes in.

Why should substances like water, sugar water, honey, or formula be avoided before initiating breastfeeding?

These substances can pose risks because the baby's digestive system lacks the necessary enzymes, increase the likelihood of allergies or infections, and may reduce interest in suckling at the breast, delaying milk production.

How does the newborn’s stomach capacity change over the first 10 days?

By the third to fourth day, a baby needs 22–27 ml per feeding (stomach size of a lemon), and by the 10th day, 60–80 ml per feeding (stomach size of an egg). The mother's body can naturally produce this amount.

Why is exclusive breastfeeding recommended immediately after birth?

Exclusive breastfeeding provides the baby with optimal nutrition, supports immune development, ensures proper digestion, and establishes healthy feeding patterns without interference from other substances.