How long after giving birth is it best to start breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding is the first time a newborn is breastfed. Many new mothers do not know how long after delivery it is appropriate to start breastfeeding. In fact, the timing of breastfeeding is also important. The first hour after a baby is born is the most sensitive period, so it is most appropriate to feed the baby for the first time during this period.

1. Grasp the timing of breastfeeding: How long after giving birth is it best to start breastfeeding

After the baby is born, the first time a new mother feeds her newborn is called "milk start". According to clinical data, the sooner a mother lets her newborn suckle breast milk after giving birth, the better her breast milk secretion will be. For new mothers, the strong sucking of a newborn is the best stimulation for the breasts. The more and earlier the stimulation, the more milk secretion will gradually increase. For babies, starting breastfeeding as early as possible can also allow newborns to obtain a large amount of immune substances in colostrum, thereby enhancing the baby's ability to resist disease.

Since the first hour after birth is a sensitive period for newborns, the newborn's sucking reflex is strongest within 30 minutes after birth. Therefore, the new view of breastfeeding advocates that new mothers start breastfeeding within 1 hour after delivery, and no later than 6 hours. Although the amount of milk in the breast is very small at this time, the sensory signals of the nipple are transmitted to the hypothalamus through the sucking of the newborn, prompting the pituitary gland to release prolactin.

2. After breastfeeding

After the milk is started, it is recommended that new mothers breastfeed for no more than 15 minutes each time, alternating between the two sides. If the left side is fed first this time, the right side should be fed first next time. If the baby does not finish sucking, use a breast pump to completely empty the milk.

3. Caesarean section to increase breast milk production

If the new mother chooses to have a cesarean section, the newborn may not be interested in breastfeeding right away. At this time, the new mother should seize the moment when the newborn is slightly awake, put the nipple into the baby's mouth, let him suck milk instinctively, and help the newborn wake up quickly.