Breastfeeding begins from the very first moments of a baby’s life. Establishing breastfeeding is an essential step, both natural and sometimes full of discoveries. Understanding how this period unfolds helps new parents to better support their newborn and enjoy these unique first moments with peace of mind.
The importance of contact at birth
Birth is a long-awaited moment. Parents prepare for it extensively, sometimes for months. But beyond the delivery itself, it is important to consider how to establish breastfeeding.
When your baby is born, if they are healthy, they will be placed against you, whether after a vaginal delivery or a caesarean section, so that you can meet for the first time.
The first hours of life: the welcome feed
In these first moments, the newborn cries a little, then is reassured by contact with its mother. This is usually followed by an hour of calm wakefulness: the baby discovers the new world it has just arrived in. These are magical moments to be savoured to the full.
After this first hour, the baby begins to search: it makes little sucking noises, brings its hand to its mouth, and some even move towards their mother’s breast.
This is called the welcome feed or first feed. It lasts on average between half an hour and an hour, sometimes a little longer, and allows the baby to coat its digestive system with colostrum, the first milk rich in antibodies produced by the mother.
The first two days after birth
Once satisfied, the baby falls asleep and then follows a relatively calm 48 hours. It wakes up every 3, 4, 5, sometimes 6 hours to feed. During this period, the mother’s breasts are still soft, and the rhythm is fairly gentle. These first two days are mainly about getting to know each other, cuddling and mutual discovery.
The second night: a key stage in breastfeeding
Then comes what is known as the “second night”. After a very calm start, the baby wakes up, cries more and demands to be fed very frequently. This moment corresponds to a major hormonal change in the mother: pregnancy hormones are no longer produced after the placenta is expelled, and breastfeeding hormones take over to initiate lactation.
For this milk to be produced properly, the baby must feed often. This is why, during this famous second night, they wake up very frequently, sometimes feeding from one breast to the other almost without pause, and intensely stimulating milk production.
Milk production and the establishment of lactation
After this night of stimulation, the rhythm changes again. The baby feeds more regularly; there is no rule, but it can sometimes be every half hour or every hour. The mother then enters what is known as the milk coming in: the breasts become larger, sometimes tense, a sign that lactation is starting.
This is an important stage. To support this process, it is essential that the baby feeds often and effectively in order to drain the breasts and avoid engorgement. This is how breastfeeding gradually takes hold and the milk-feeding relationship between mother and child becomes established for the long term.
