Immediately after delivery, the baby should be placed on the mother’s abdomen to enhance bonding and promote lactation. Breastfeeding should be initiated preferably within 1 hour. No prelacteal feeds should be given; start only with colostrum. Prelacteal feeds expose the infant to infections and may disrupt successful lactation. Colostrum, rich in anti-infective factors and vitamin A, serves as the first immunization and helps clean the newborn’s intestines, preventing jaundice.
Practice “rooming in” to allow mothers and infants to remain together 24 hours a day. Keep the mother and baby in the same bed (“bedding-in”) or on the mother’s abdomen (“mothering-in”) to ensure bonding. Breastfeeding is an active process; the baby enjoys maternal warmth and contact. The mother should actively interact with the child, avoiding distractions like television or gadgets. During the first few days, most babies fall asleep after a few sucks and should be gently aroused by tickling behind the ears or on the soles during feeds. Babies typically take 15–20 minutes per feed and should be allowed to completely empty one breast before offering the other. Alternate breast should be offered first at the next feed.
