I've been waiting for this day for months: Finally I get to meet my baby. But like many new parents, you might not have a clear
idea of what that meeting will be like. Right after birth, a newborn's eyes are open quite a bit and babies
spend a lot of time studying faces — especially their parents'. Baby may turn or react to the sound of your voices. Your baby is using
all of the senses, including smell and touch, to further identify and
become attached to you.
Baby will cry, sleep, and at times will look directly into
your eyes. Although the vision is blurry, baby can best see
something (such as your face) that is about 8 to 15 inches away. Baby will grab onto your finger if you place it in her palm. And
of course, your baby will want to eat.
After initially being very awake, most babies get sleepy for about
the next 24 hours. It's important to wake them to feed every 2 to 3
hours so they get used to the process and start to get something to eat.
If a mother is breastfeeding, this is also the best way to encourage
milk to come in.
If a mother has decided to breastfeed,
she can begin as soon as her newborn is placed in her arms. Although
your milk probably won't fully come in for another day or two,
especially with first-time mothers, the baby does receive nourishment
from your colostrum, a precursor to actual breast milk. For some women
colostrum is thin and watery; for others it is thick and yellowish. As
your baby sucks on your breast, this action triggers hormones to tell
your body that it's time to produce milk. These first feedings are great
practice runs for both mom and baby.
Some babies (especially premature and smaller babies) have a hard
time latching on or getting enough suction to nurse from your breast. A
nurse, breastfeeding counselor, or lactation consultant can help you and
your baby overcome any hurdles. Even if breastfeeding is going smoothly
from the start, it's still helpful to learn as much about it as you can
from a breastfeeding specialist.
Initially, you will probably be feeding your baby about every 2 to 3 hours around the clock. If you will be bottle-feeding your baby, you can usually begin within the first few hours of life.
That is all for now.. Time to catch up with my Baby - Lyn-Min
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