What is the best time to start breastfeeding after childbirth? When is the best time to start breastfeeding after childbirth?

Many mothers agree that breast milk is the most nutritious food for babies. So, what are the tips for breastfeeding after childbirth? Let's introduce the best time to breastfeed after childbirth. At what stage will mothers breastfeed the most beneficial to the growth of their babies?

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

Moms say:

The sucking reflex of a newborn is strongest within 30 minutes after birth. Therefore, the new view of breastfeeding recommends that new mothers start breastfeeding within 1 hour after birth, and no later than 6 hours.

There is no clear rule on how long after delivery it will take for milk to come. I started to have milk the next day after I gave birth. At that time, my milk was swollen and needed to be sucked out. My baby was still small, so I had to ask my husband for help. It would be fine after the milk was sucked out. After the milk was sucked out, you can choose to eat more bone soup, poached eggs, crucian carp soup, and pig's trotter soup according to your personal situation. They are good for milk production. Avoid eating greasy and spicy food. Just keep a good mood and your baby will have endless milk.

There is no time limit for this. Everyone's situation is different. Generally, milk will come in three days. I had milk on the second day. If you don't have milk, apply a hot towel and the milk will come soon. It is best for mothers to eat liquid or semi-liquid food within three days after giving birth. It is recommended to eat fish porridge, and for laxative purposes, you can add a plate of refreshing and delicious stir-fried vegetables.

The sooner you start breastfeeding, the better. Generally, you can start breastfeeding within half an hour.

Best time to start breastfeeding after childbirth

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 opening". According to clinical data, the sooner a mother lets her newborn suck milk after giving birth, the better her breast milk secretion will be. For new mothers, the newborn's strong sucking is the best stimulation for the breasts. The more and earlier the stimulation, the more milk secretion will gradually increase. For babies, early milk opening can also allow newborns to obtain a large amount of immune substances in colostrum, enhancing the baby's ability to resist diseases.

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

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.

If the new mother chooses a caesarean section, the newborn may not be interested in breastfeeding immediately. At this time, the new mother should seize the moment when the newborn is slightly awake and put the nipple into the baby's mouth, so that he can suck milk instinctively and wake up the newborn quickly.

What you need to know about breastfeeding

There are many misunderstandings about breastfeeding. Only by staying away from these misunderstandings can you do it scientifically and let your baby eat the most nutritious colostrum.

1. If your breasts don’t swell, you don’t have milk

There is a folk saying that you can't hold your baby if your breasts are not swollen. In fact, a lack of breast swelling does not equate to having no milk. Let the baby suck first, and the facts will speak for themselves. When the baby sucks the nipple, if you can hear the baby swallowing, it means there is milk. If the breasts are not swollen, it is assumed that there is no milk. Moreover, anxiety and irritability are not conducive to milk production. Therefore, mastering the correct method of milk production, regardless of whether the breasts are swollen or not, have close contact with the baby and let the baby suck the nipple. This is the performance of an optimistic and confident mother.

2. Don’t let your baby work hard if there is no milk

It is unscientific to judge that you have no milk before having close contact with your baby and letting your baby suck. Because research and clinical evidence show that close contact and baby sucking can promote the secretion of prolactin after childbirth, and prolactin promotes milk secretion, which is the best way to produce milk. Frequent contact and sucking can strengthen the conditioned reflex of lactation and is conducive to the secretion of large amounts of milk. Mother's colostrum is a food that cannot be compared with any other food, including formula milk. Therefore, in order to let the baby eat nutritious breast milk, you must let the baby suck.

3. If your milk supply is insufficient, add formula milk

Baby nutrition is the most important. Many mothers are confused about whether their milk is sufficient and whether they need to add formula milk. In fact, unless the mammary glands are congenitally underdeveloped, there are very few mothers who truly lack or have insufficient milk.