I've watched a million birth videos and hubby and I just went to a birthing class. I'm just realizing that I'm still unclear about when you can actually start breastfeeding. Is it right after the baby is born or do you have to wait for a couple of hours for the milk (colostrum) to come in or is it ready and waiting?
2006-08-30 01:28:20 · 16 answers · asked by Skypride 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
you can start breastfeeding as soon as you have the baby. there should be a class on breastfeeding offered where you take your childbirth classes. also there should be a lactation consultant at the hospital who can help you learn the technique that works best for you and the baby. ask your doctor to refer you to someone like this if you can't find it on your own. good luck with everything and just remember it may take a little while for you and the baby to get it down, so don't get frustrated just stay relaxed.
2006-08-30 02:19:32 · answer #1 · answered by Syri S 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Colostrum is ready and waiting. The baby can actually latch on right after birth. The sucking instinct is strongest then. A newborn only needs a teaspoon- tablespoon amount of this. Lots of women freak out because not much comes out, but trust me, its all they need. The milk comes in a couple of days later.
Check with the hospital where you'll be having the baby and see if they have a lactation consultant. They can really help to establish a breastfeeding routine and show you how to get a proper latch.
One of my favorite books on the topic was Breastfeeding for Dummies. It made everything simpler. Good luck!
2006-08-30 08:36:36 · answer #2 · answered by ncladams 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You will most likely already have colostrum during your third trimester. You can put the baby to the breast as soon as you know his airway is clear.....minutes old. My youngest nursed when she was only a couple of minutes old with the cord still attached and pulsating! My older two nursed within the first 30 minutes.
The delivery of the placenta is what tells your body to begin the process of changing over from producing colostrum to producing mature milk. You will have colostrum for the first 3-5 days after the birth and then it will change over to milk.
You might want to contact your local La Leche League Leader for one-on-one in person support http://www.lalecheleague.org and be sure to see the Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) at your hospital.
All your baby needs in those early days is the colostrum. It comes in tiny amounts, but baby's tummy is tiny! Just the size of his fist or of a walnut! Don't worry about him getting enough in the first couple of days.....the colostrum will be perfect for him as long as you are nursing about every 2 hours around the clock.
2006-08-30 08:38:27 · answer #3 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Having the baby latch on right away will help the colostrum come in if it hasn't already. Lots of women start getting it in the last few months of pregnancy. I never did but as SOON as the baby was out the colostrum was there. Also nursing the baby right away will help your uterus contract down to lessen bleeding from the site where the placenta was attached.
It is good for mom and good for baby. Funny how nature works.
2006-08-30 11:09:50 · answer #4 · answered by Candice B 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can start in the delivery room, not that the baby will be hungry but just to get used to the idea of breastfeeding.
It usually takes a few days for your milk to come in and if this is your first time breastfeeding give it 3-4 weeks. Some women give up when their nipples get sore and the thought of the baby latching on is unbearable but believe me it will get better.
In the hospital the best thing you can do is get a consult with the lactation nurse, it is usually covered by insurance. They can answer all your questions and help with positioning, etc.
2006-08-30 08:37:22 · answer #5 · answered by Susan 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You can start breastfeeding right away, your colostrum is ready and waiting, and it will take a couple days of nursing to get your milk in. The sooner you start the better. My fourth son was handed to me 10 mins after he was born and cleaned up and we started nursing immediately(his stomach was growling!!!) as long as there are no complications with the delivery or with the baby you should be able to start as soon as you want to! Good luck and congrats!!!!
2006-08-30 09:40:54 · answer #6 · answered by casey_sar 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You want to nurse your baby right away. If you wait, the baby will be too sleepy to nurse and they may not nurse for hours (the birth process is exhausting for the baby too!) Your colostrum will be ready and waiting right away (you will probably have it ready before your baby is born!) Your milk will probably take 3 days to come in, but your baby can feed on colostrum until then. Good luck!
2006-08-30 08:40:18 · answer #7 · answered by dixiechic 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You can offer the breast right away. Sometimes the baby's a bit groggy - no wonder- and will only suck after a few minutes or hours. There's no hurry, but usually the sooner the better. The milk will be there no worry. It's nice to know you can have breastfeeding support from the hospital or the midwife in case of need.
'La leche league ' is really good and answer all questions.
2006-08-30 08:36:00 · answer #8 · answered by nikita 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I've always had baby at the breast immediately after they came out. I deliver my own, but if you're in hospital, once they've gone over the baby for Apgar and the like, they'll hand you the little one and you can start nursing right away.
Colostrum is there and waiting already. If you stimulate your nipple and squeeze, you'll get some out. It's usually really thick and yellow/white
2006-08-30 08:34:14 · answer #9 · answered by auld mom 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I've been told that most women can not breastfeed "on demand" right after the baby is born as you have to wait for your milk (colostrum initially) to come it. I, however, was able to breastfeed all three of my children immediately after they were born!! It probably has to do with the difference in everyone's body.
mb
2006-08-30 08:36:20 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋