Nursing Question - Norfolk,VA

You have been given some great answers that I will echo in the fact that the sooner you start nursing the better the baby is at it. Most of my 7 children have been really sleepy about an hour after delievery and it is hard to get a sleepy baby to latch on well. If you can get them to know what to do right away then they tend to not have a problem even when they are sleepy. Besides it benefits you to nurse right away too. Your uterus needs to contract down after having the baby and the more you nurse the more it will and the less you will bleed. It will help the placenta to be expelled sooner too. Good luck to you in the new baby.
J.---SAHM of 7

Habits form very quickly, especially in newborn babies. If your infant learns to latch onto you before a binky or something else you will be less likely to have issues nursing later.

I had a c-section and wasn't able to hold my son for several hours after he was born and the nurse asked me if I intended to nurse. When I said yes, she told the nursery-nurse not to give my son a binky b/c he needed to latch to me before anything else!

BTW- you should be cuddling when you are nursing, so they don't just "slap" the baby on the nip... I was with my sister in the delivery room and she held the baby for a few minutes before the nurses suggested that she try to nurse.

Breastfeeding immediately after birth is for getting both you and baby in the zone you need to be in. That initial suckle releases a flood of hormones that helps you and baby right away. Why can't you cuddle, coo and hold the baby during breastfeeding? It's kinda a necessity to hold and cuddle while nursing...

This time around, please do not doubt your body... I'm 98% sure you were producing enough the first time but for whatever reason allowed doubt to sabotage the nursing relationship. Most women produce more than enough, yet still think they aren't. You'd have to have a prolactin inability (which if you had milk the first time, then it's not the issue), or be taking multiple medications that would possibly cause a decrease in supply.

I wish you and baby much luck in your endeavor for a successful nursing relationship!

The act of nursing stimulates the moms body to produce hormones that actually help contract the uterus and will help the bleeding slow a lot faster...Yes, there is a shot that they can give you, but if you can do it without, try!
It may also just have been that nurse... All 4 of mine and they waited until I could at least sit up... which means baby was cleaned up (not bathed, but cleaned up), The dr was done with me and I was able to sit up... 10-15 min... Then they would hand me the muchkins and I'd stare at them a bit THEN hook them up...
I also think that it helps the baby relax... The sucking reflex is natural and soothing for babys... After the trauma of being evicted from the only home they know into the harsh, chilly, bright world I'd want to be comforted also!!! :-)
Also could be that they want to make sure its a go and they also know that theyare going to have to go help with 3 other babies at any minute and want to be able to give YOU the guidance you may need while they can...

I would talk to the nurses and see what they say... we can guess all day, but they may have some good reasons... and the longer it takes for your uterus to contract down, the longer you are in the delivery room for... I would hook the baby up and let it go to town, then do the gazing and cuddling when they are calm and you've gotten over the shock of being able to lay on your back again.

The research on the subject shows babies are more likely to establish a successful latch if offered the breast immediately after delivery. They are more alert in those first few moments after the shock of birth. They soon succumb to the exhaustion of the experience and just want to cuddle and doze. No one is saying you can't breastfeed if you don't do it in those first few moments, it just has a statistical higher likelihood of success if you do.

In other news, I had two C-sections and have breastfed all three of my children (twins the second time around.) With the section, you can't nurse immediately (they have to stitch you up first.) With determination, you can make it happen. Without that, you won't be successful even if you do get an immediate latch.

Good luck to you.

Babies nurse better if they start within the first 30 minutes of life. If you want to succeed, I would try it right away and just enjoy that cuddle time with baby.

If you're stressed about this, or even just agitated, that can impact the nursing. Simply explain that you want to cuddle with the baby, and when it seems you are both ready, in your room, you will start attempting to nurse. I would explain it beforehand and just let them know that this is your birthing plan and you don't want to deal with the stress afterwards. For my kids (2) they didn't attempt to have me nurse at all until we were already in the mother-baby unit, not in the delivery room. I think it helped me to have time before nursing for my head to clear -after all, I did just give birth! But it wasn't a lot of time, maybe a few hours, but definately not even 4 or 5. It happened pretty quickly. Your desire may seem "bad" or "selfish" to others, but it won't harm your baby or you at all, and forcing you to do it immediately may if that causes stress. Cuddling is good both for mother and baby as it promotes bonding, which is also important for nursing. Do what you want, with a clear conscience that it's fine, and if others don't get it, let them not get it, but don't allow yourself to feel pressured to do something you know isn't right for you.

I think it is a blend of a few things.... The assumption that mothers want to hold their baby asap, encouraging the baby to latch on properly, and getting your milk flow going.

I am a mother and breastfeeder of my 3 children, and though I am excited to see my baby, and I have held all three immediately, sometimes you just need a minute. My first I nursed immediately, but my second 2 I gave back over to the nurses and let them do their weights and such, because, well, I just had a baby! I took a minute to get cleaned up and let the hustle and bustle of childbirth settle down. Then when I was a little more comfortable, and the baby was all swaddled, we can 'cuddle' properly. And I mean, I am talking minutes. The babies never left the room, and in those few minutes my bond was not broken, and my babies nursed properly for 16 months or more (one I am still nursing at 16 months).

I am pleased that you are thinking of trying again even though in the past it has been difficult. I encourage you with hugs!

Good Luck!
KATIE

You can't cuddle and hold the baby as you nurse? I don't understand the problem. I've read that newborns are most alert right after birth; perfect time to introduce the breast. When I had my daughter, I put her to the breast immediately in the delivery room. That began a nursing bond that lasted almost two years :)

I had a C-section and my baby was brought to me within 10 minutes after being sewn up. She was too sleepy to nurse and didn't nurse at all the first 24 hours. After that we did fine. The doctor told me not to worry, an infant can go up to 24 hours before needing to eat after delivery. At about 21 hours after delivery (3am) a nurse woke us up and forced my child at my husband and made him cup feed her. We had read a million books and taken all kinds of classes including a breastfeeding class and never heard of cup feeding. She wouldn't explain what it was and I sat there helpless and disoriented while my child had formula instead of my milk. I thought she was going to be ruined for breastfeeding. A few hours later the lactation consultant came by and put everything right. My daughter was great with the breast after that. So, that was really more venting about my experience instead of helping you. Sorry!! I'm still REALLY ticked off about it 2 years later. I can understand where you're coming from but it probably is best for your baby. Even if s/he doesn't nurse immediately at least your little one knows your scent and the smell of that milk might trigger his or her tummy to get ready. Having your baby there may get your milk moving so it's ready for your little one. Good luck! I'm sure with all the info and experience you have now you'll be able to handle those nurses with finesse.

I wasn't able to immediately nurse my second because of a c-section and by the time I got to my room and they brought her to me she was too sleepy to nurse and that's not good. The nurse was very kind, said she would take her to the nursery to monitor her and bring her back in a couple of hours and we could try again because newborns need to nurse/feed within 6 hours of birth maximum. But she had to have a heel stick to check her blood sugar before they brought her back the second time and I hated the idea that she had to have that. So waiting actually *delayed* the cuddling and bonding time that we could have had if I'd been able to nurse her right off the bat.

So like all the other moms have said it's best for both of you right off the bat. And as tiny as she is, she won't be nursing for an hour. Then once she/he is done you can all settle in and rest until the next nursing.

A few things to add from my doula experience and childbirth education and research. Oxytocin is highest in you and your baby in the first hour after birth. So, it's wise to cuddle and do your best to nurse at that time. Skin on skin is the best as well with a warm blanket on top of both of you. Many, not all nurses like to force the baby onto the nipple; which is not helpful to either of you. Baby led nursing is gentler and allows a simpler learning curve. Wait for the baby to tell you when it's ready, guiding toward your nipple. You will see head bobbing and other signs. Babies use their cheek to find the nipple. You might want to seek out a local lactation consultant before the baby is born to give you some advice as well.

Talk to a lactating specialist about all this beforehand-they'll be able to help. You are in the hospital such a short time-that I'm thinking maybe they just want to make sure that you establish breast feeding, the baby gets the very rich, nourishing colostrum, the breastfeeding helps the uterus contract and reduce the possibility of blood clots, and you may not have a private room available right away. Things to consider.Good luck!

It has more to do with the baby's latching instinct. Babies that nurse immediately after birth often do better breastfeeding. No- they aren;t hungry when born...they are still satisfied from their attachment to the umbilical cord for the first few hours after being born.

My first child was a TERRIBLE nurser....always fussy, never satisfied, rarely slept...i breastfed her for 2 looooong months and it was AWFUL. I just had my second daughter in November and she is a FANTASTIC nurser. She has had no trouble at all breastfeeding and she is almost 3 months and we are going strong on the breastfeeding. I think every baby is different...it is worth trying to nurse your 3rd. I DO think it is a good thing to immediately place baby to breast....i think its very natural and a great first moment with your child. My first didnt latch on right away, my second did. Some chalk this up to my experience...but I really feel like each baby is different.

Good luck and congratulations!

Hi! From what I've read the earlier after birth you try, the more successful you're likely to be with nursing. Babies have a natural instinct to nurse right after birth, in fact left on their mommy's belly they will wiggle up to the breast on their own right after birth! Right after giving birth mothers produce a very nutritious pre-milk called colostrum that provides powerful antibodies to keep newborns healthy. It's all they need till your milk comes in a few days later.

babies arent hungry when they are born as they have been getting nutrients 24/7 from the umbilicle cord. nursing right away does benefit you though with helping contract your uterus back down. so unless they give you pitocin to help with that i'd suggest nursing right away. my nurses told me they wanted me to nurse within 30 minutes of birth but never said why. whatever you choose though be prepared for them to look at you like you are crazy...they seem to be good at that.

It is possible they are trying to be breastfeeding supportive but are being too pushy about it? It is also possible since they know it'll help with uterus contraction after birth and that is why?

Just relax and cuddle your precious new life--and firmly tell the nurse you will nurse when you and the baby are ready. Unless the baby is showing signs of hunger or interest there is no rush! I've heard if you lay skin to skin some babies will creep toward the nursing zone:)

I'm hoping to avoid the pit shot after birth since it hurt like hell compared to regular labor so I'd like to latch my baby on for my own selfish reasons.

Good luck on your breastfeeding adventure! Try to relax and find a breastfeeding support group like LLL in your area.