This blog is an extract from my book “Your Baby Doesn’t come with a Book” – I’m humbled and proud to say it’s now Australia’s No. 1 Selling Baby book!
The first 24 hours (really the first few weeks with a newborn baby) are a magical, adrenaline-filled roller-coaster.
The great news is that newborns are pretty docile, so if you can stay calm and relaxed in the first days of your baby’s life, your baby most likely will too.
This is a recurring theme through my books and online sleep programs – the key here is to protect the breastfeeding mother. If she’s rested, fed, hydrated and feeding well during this period, this will set you all up for a lovely, positive cycle.
Skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth should be prioritised for both caesarean and vaginal birth
For both vaginal and caesarean births, as long as your baby is well after birth, skin-to-skin contact should be started straight away, and is exceptionally important.
The benefits of skin-to-skin are incredible, calming and relaxing for both mother and baby.
According to Unicef’s Baby-Friendly Initiative, skin-to-skin contact also:
- regulates the baby’s breathing and heart rate
- helps them to transition more successfully to life outside the womb
- stimulates digestion and an interest in feeding
- helps regulate temperature
- allows transfer of the mother’s good bacteria to the baby’s skin, providing protection against infection
- stimulates the release of hormones to support breastfeeding and mothering, one of which is oxytocin (our love hormone).
Newborns who have prolonged skin-to- skin contact with their mother after birth, regardless of the mode of delivery, are more likely to breastfeed successfully. In 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) published a study in the British Medical Journal which found that 90 minutes of uninterrupted skin-to- skin contact, where a baby is dried and laid directly on their mother’s bare chest after birth, maximises the chance for the baby to be physically ready to breastfeed.
Only break this contact for the resuscitation of the baby after birth, or if the mother is unwell. Even if your choice is not to breastfeed, skin- to-skin offers wonderful benefits, and should be encouraged wherever possible. Dads and other non-breastfeeding caregivers can have skin-to-skin contact too.
It’s really important to keep both mother and baby warm.
Often, the hospital staff will provide a little beanie for the baby’s head, and warm blankets. This is not a fashion item; it’s to ensure warmth is maintained.
Sometimes after a caesarean section, skin-to-skin contact might be briefly interrupted while your baby is weighed, measured and attended to. However, many hospitals now prioritise skin-to-skin contact as long as it’s safe, so it’s a good idea to ask your midwife or obstetrician if this is possible.
Breastfeeding and feeding after birth
There’s a full section of my book, newborn and little baby sleep programs dedicated to establishing breastfeeding co-authored by Lactation Consultant and Midwife Jillian Edie, it’s incredibly content that I’m really proud of.
What you do need to be prepared for in the first 24 hours (and first few weeks) is that you will be feeding every three to four hours around the clock.
This can seem really daunting – particularly for the breastfeeding mother, who is recovering from birth. You’ll be amazed at what you can do, and empowered with all the knowledge of what to expect, you will not just survive, you will thrive during this time.
Immediately after birth as your baby is cuddling on your chest you can try breastfeeding within a few minutes of birth, you can also wait a little while. The midwife can help you and your baby with attachment.
Baby care after birth
In the first few hours after birth, your baby’s health will be a focus, your midwife or pediatrician will thoroughly examine your baby from head to toe. Your baby will also have their all-important weight, length and head circumference measured and documented for you. You’ll then start your journey of feeding, cuddling and nappy changes – it’s important to keep the umbilical cord clean and dry so it can dry out and fall off.
Post-birth care for mothers
Regardless of how your baby was born, even if it was an uncomplicated vaginal birth, there will most likely be some pain and discomfort post-birth.
Sometimes your doctor may need to repair a tear or surgical cut (episiotomy) between the vagina and the anus with stitching under local anaesthetic. If you have had a caesarean section, you will need stitches. If you have already had an epidural, it can be topped up. If you haven’t, you should be offered a local anaesthetic to numb the area.
Pain relief if required is essential as it’s important that the mother can move around enough to help recover from the birth, but also look after her baby.
As I always say, a mother must look after herself before she can look after her baby.
Any pain relief offered to a postnatal mother in hospital, (or provided for her to take home) will be safe to take when breastfeeding. While minuscule amounts do transfer through to breastmilk, the benefits of taking regular pain relief (when needed) far outweigh the cons. Perineal ice packs are really effective (if you are the non birth partner it’s your job to get these and keep them fresh). These ice packs will sit on top of the maternity pad and help with both pain and inflammation.
Common postpartum complications or discomforts birthing mothers’ will need to manage will be:
- Bleeding and clotting: The blood loss and discharge (containing mucus and uterine tissue) after birth is called lochia. For the first few days after birth it is bright red, like a heavy period, the amount of blood will reduce over time.
- Cramps and after birth pains: Regardless of how you give birth, you can experience after-birth pains, caused by your uterus contracting to return to its normal size. Generally, these feel like mild or moderate period cramps. They’re likely to be stronger for second, third (or more) pregnancies.
- Swelling
- Sore breast
- Urinating and bowel movement
- Emotional changes (these are most likely to occur on day 3 to 4)
This list is not exhaustive; there are lots of other common health concerns, always talk to your midwife or obstetrician about anything you’re worried about.
Competing advice in hospital
You’ll have different midwives on different shifts during your hospital stay, and more often than not, depending on when they were trained and their own personal experiences, they’ll have different advice about feeding/settling/bathing/everything.
This can be incredibly confusing for new parents, who can’t yet know what will work best for them or their baby.
You’re still learning!
Don’t get flustered by this – trust your instincts about what feels right for your family. Remember, there is no single right way to look after a baby – every family and every baby is different.
Enjoy your hospital stay, and make the most of the midwives looking after you and your baby. Take in all their advice, and use what works best for you and your family.
Managing visitors at the hospital
In many countries and across different cultures, visitors are not permitted to enter maternity wards. This is intended to protect postpartum mothers. Interestingly, visitor restrictions on maternity wards during the COVID-19 pandemic unequivocally improved early outcomes for mothers and babies, who were allowed more time and space to bond and recover from childbirth!
For couples, it might not be possible, or even desirable, to impose a complete ban on postpartum visitors – but remember: like any good nightclub bouncer, it’s the non-breastfeeding parent’s job to manage who gets to spend time with their VIPs as they learn to breastfeed and recover together.
In my book and Preparation for newborn online program you’ll find information on:
- hormonal changes,
- establishing breastfeeding,
- first poos,
- baths,
- swaddling,
- safe sleep environments
- rashes … and the fact that your baby will basically look like an alien.
Up to six weeks you and your baby are just getting to know each other and for many families establishing breastfeeding and breastmilk supply. From around 6 weeks and roughly 5-6kg babies can start my sleep routines, as you work your way up to this there’s so much you can do to prepare your baby.
You can buy Your Baby Doesn’t Come with a Book online and instore at all good book retailers and my online sleep programs directly.