BREASTFEEDING AFTER BIRTH
(Tactile Contact)
During labor, adrenaline is secreted, and it remains elevated in the baby for about an hour. The temperature of the brown area of the breast (known as the areola) is half a degree higher than body temperature and emits a pleasant scent. Immediately after birth, the baby, influenced by the adrenaline, follows this scent and finds the breast. The baby begins to breastfeed thanks to its survival reflexes, including the searching, finding, and sucking reflexes. Additionally, tactile contact and breastfeeding trigger the release of the hormone oxytocin, which also helps protect the mother from hemorrhage during this period.
This period after birth lasts approximately one hour. The baby is awake and breastfeeding. Therefore, if there are no health issues with the baby, spending this first hour in the mother's arms, breastfeeding, and bonding is crucial for both maternal and newborn health. This one hour should always be included in the birth plan. Its value is priceless.
Breast milk is the only food that is uniquely produced for your baby, and its composition changes as your baby grows to meet only their needs. During breastfeeding, the mother not only shares her milk but also her love, warmth, and a sense of security.
REMEMBER!!!
A newborn baby has only THREE needs:
The warmth of its mother's arms
The nourishment from its mother's breast
The security of knowing that its mother is there.
BREASTFEEDING MEETS ALL THREE.
BENEFITS OF EARLY BREASTFEEDING
Balancing the baby’s body temperature with the mother’s through skin-to-skin contact
Faster and more effective latch by the baby
Ensuring early nourishment for the baby (the first feeding is with colostrum, which is rich in immunoglobulins)
Increasing oxytocin release in the mother (oxytocin helps with uterine contractions, reducing hemorrhage and preventing anemia)
Regulating the baby's glucose levels
Helping the baby pass its first stool more quickly and reducing the likelihood of physiological jaundice
Supporting early and long-term breastfeeding success
Initiating the mother-baby bonding process
Contributing to the development of the baby’s nervous system
Helping prevent future issues like child neglect, abuse, abandonment, and developmental delays
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT COLOSTRUM (PRE-MILK)
The first milk you produce after birth will not be pure white. Often, due to its yellowish color, this milk is mistakenly thought to be inflammatory by many mothers, but it actually strengthens the baby’s immunity during the first days. It is crucial for the intestines. Remember, this first milk is also your baby’s first vaccination. It creates a shield that protects the baby from diseases and infections. Since your baby's kidneys are not fully developed in the early days, this milk is secreted in small quantities to facilitate easier renal excretion. Considering that a newborn's stomach capacity is about the size of a marble, this small amount of milk is exactly what the baby needs, providing 100% of its nutritional requirements. The baby will suck repeatedly, taking small amounts of colostrum, but it is calorie-dense. It is thick in consistency, in small amounts, and will not flow easily. It cannot be pumped, only hand-expressed. It may seem difficult, but if you encounter issues breastfeeding in the early days, even if you cannot breastfeed directly, you should express the colostrum by hand and feed it to your baby with a spoon or cup. This is the first and most important gift you can give to your baby.
FOR BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS WHO WILL RETURN TO WORK
Breast milk should be expressed 15-20 days before returning to work. It is normal to express only a small amount of milk initially. To increase milk supply, shorter but more frequent pumping sessions can be done rather than long sessions. After each breastfeeding, it’s helpful to pump for about five minutes. The amount of milk your baby will consume while you are at work may vary from baby to baby. Some babies prefer to breastfeed directly from the mother and may not accept bottle feeding very well. For a baby waiting for its mother to return from work, a small amount of expressed milk will suffice. However, some babies will continue to feed normally. The amount of milk to store can be determined through trials before returning to work. Understanding the average milk consumption per feeding may take some time. Therefore, it is a good idea to freeze small amounts of milk. Once thawed and stored in the refrigerator, the milk should be consumed within 24 hours, and any milk warmed in a bottle should be consumed within 1 hour. To relax and stimulate the oxytocin reflex while expressing milk, it can be helpful to smell or look at an item of clothing worn by your baby or a picture of them. To reduce the stress of returning to work after a long break, try to begin on a day other than Monday. Starting on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday will ease the tension of the first week. After a few months, it’s advantageous to continue breastfeeding during the lunch break or afternoon at home, instead of starting a full workday right away.