Skin-to-skin contact directly after the delivery
As soon as your baby is born, the newborn will be placed on your stomach. Your baby should remain here for as long as possible to encourage skin-to-skin contact.
This first 'cuddle hour’ is the time for you and your partner to get to know your baby intensively and to give your first feeding.
Colostrum or ‘the first milk'
The colostrum, also known as ‘the first milk’, is very important for your baby. This breast milk contains an enormous amount of energy-rich nutrients and prepares your baby's intestinal system for life outside of the womb. Research has proven that babies who are breastfed shortly after being delivered are less prone to developing jaundice and have longer, more successful breastfeeding sessions.
Expressing colostrum milk
If the first feeding proves unsuccessful, the colostrum will be expressed manually and given to your baby via a small spoon.
The first day of breastfeeding
Breastfeed your baby every time the child is awake, but allow the child to rest between the sessions. Take advantage of those opportunities to rest
Frequency
Breastfeed your baby as often and for as long as they want. Breastfeeding promotes milk production and gives your baby the necessary nutrients.
For the first few days after delivery, feed your newborn between 8–12 times daily. Together, you and the midwife will check whether your baby is eating enough.
The growth spurt
At approximately 2 weeks, 6 weeks and then 3 months, you may notice that your baby has a growth spurt. Your baby will be more restless, cry more and want to breastfeed more during these growth spurts. To adjust your milk production to your baby's needs, it is best to rest more and to breastfeed more often. Your child will be content again after a day or two.