THE FIGHT TO THE BREAST, THE FIRST HOUR AFTER THE BIRTH
Why doesn't my baby feed? Is there anything wrong with the baby? Is my baby ok? Many have experienced the anguish and anxiousness of encouraging a baby to the breast directly after birth. It's a natural instinct a mother has to want to encourage her newborn to her breastfeed after her baby has been born, unfortunately this whole concept has become complicated by many factors.
"In the first hour after birth, Widstrom has found that all babies transition through the same states:
1. Birth Cry - Immediate
2. Relaxation - Usually immediately after first cry lasting anywhere from 1-3 minutes.
3. Awakening - Usually begins approximately 3 minutes after birth
4. Activity - Usually begins around 4-12 minutes after birth
5. Rest - Can be exhibited at any point during the first hour
6. Crawling/Sliding - Occurs approximately 18-54 minutes after birth
7. Familiarization - Occurs approximately 29-62 minutes after birth
8. Suckling - Occurs approximately 49-90 minutes after birth
9. Sleeping - Occurs approximately 1 1/2 - 2 hours after birth" (Healthy Children Project, Inc)
Certain factors can delay or even interrupt the transition and in some cases create an issue with initiating breastfeeding or creating a great latch. Some of those factors include:
1. A barrier to breastfeeding, such as: removing baby from the mother after birth within the first hour, any type of supplementation, or blocking the ability to be skin to skin with baby.
2. Use of any type of suction during the birthing process or directly after. (bulb or delee)
3. Blocking ability of the baby to go to the breast on their own.
4. Being in a rush to encourage baby to latch (this specifically affects the familiarization phase)
To encourage the best opportunity for your baby to have a successful initiation and first latch at the breast consider:
1. Allowing mother and baby to be at the breast, skin to skin (no clothing for either), uninterrupted for the first hour of life.
2. Minimize interaction with mother and baby in the first hour of life. This means no weight of the baby, doing vital signs and all other routine medical exams with the mother and baby skin to skin without moving the baby.
3. Allow the mother to bond, speak with, encourage her baby.
4. Allowing the baby to find the breast on his/her own without help. Mother will have her own instincts that she should follow, but the baby knows exactly what to do.
5. Do not be in a rush. Do not initiate or force baby onto the breast or to suckle. This will hinder the familiarization phase which can cause a poor latch.
The first hour is considered the "golden" or "magical" hour. The time frame is very important and crucial for the breastfeeding success of the infant. The first hour should be a time of bonding, a time to discover the little being that was highly anticipated over the last nine months. Be encouraged mommy, your baby knows exactly what to do and so do you! Be brave and courageous beautiful one!
Cadwell, K., & Turner-Maffei, C., Editors (2012). The Lactation Counselor Certificate Training Program Course Manual, 2012-2013. East Sandwich, MA: Healthy Children Project, Inc.