Immediately after the birth, a midwife will place your baby on your chest. This is called skin-to-skin contact. It lets your baby feel and smell you, and hear your voice and heartbeat.
Skin-to-skin contact can help you both feel calm.
Skin-to-skin contact with newborns
Expect to feed just after birth
Most babies want to feed right away. But some are sleepy and slow to feed.
This can happen for reasons including, your baby:
- was affected during labour by pain medicine
- was born by forceps, ventuose (vacuum) or caesarean
- was born early (premature)
- grew slowly in the womb
Feeding your baby for the first time
During the first skin-to-skin contact, your baby may start showing signs of wanting to feed. They may move towards your breast and try to latch or attach to your breast.
If you have decided to bottle feed, your midwife will help you with your baby’s first feed. They will show you how to hold your baby while feeding during skin-to-skin contact.
The hospital will give you formula feeds for your baby. You do not need to bring these to hospital.
Support with feeding your newborn
Deciding to bottle feed your baby from birth
Feeding and comforting in the first few days
It is normal for newborns to feed little and often, even up to 12 times a day. Your midwife will help you recognise the signs your baby is hungry.
If your baby is unsettled, it does not always mean they are hungry. They can often be soothed by closeness and warmth, and the comfort of skin-to-skin contact.
Attachment and bonding with your baby
Rooming in
Your baby will usually be with you in the hospital in a cot beside your bed. This is called ‘rooming in’.
Rooming in helps you get to know your baby and learn how to care for them. You will start to notice early signs when your baby is hungry or wanting to be held.
Signs your baby is hungry
Responding to signs of hunger (cues) will help your baby feel secure.
Your baby could be ready to feed if they:
- flutter their eyes
- moving their hands to their mouth
- move their mouth
- move towards your breast
- turn their head when you touch their cheek
Crying is a late sign of hunger.
Try to feed your baby when you notice them giving you early signs that they are ready to feed. It is usually easier as you'll both be calmer and more relaxed.
Responding to your baby's cues
Support with feeding
Your midwife or nurse is there to support you. Ask for help as often as you need.
They can guide you on things such as:
Getting help and support with feeding your baby
When you leave the hospital
You will get information about feeding before you leave hospital.
You may get additional support if you need it. For example, for feeding challenges such as latching difficulties. Or you may need extra help if your baby was born prematurely.
Your public health nurse will visit you during your first 3 days at home with your baby. They will check how well your baby is feeding and weigh them.
Babies may lose up to 10% of their birthweight in the first few days. They are often back to their birth weight by 10 to 15 days old.
Feeding in the first few weeks
In the first few weeks, you and your baby are likely to get into a feeding routine.
It's normal for babies to feed more at certain times of the day, often in the evening.
Every baby’s pattern is different and it can change with growth spurts. For example, you may notice your baby wants to feed often at certain times (cluster feeding), followed by long gaps without feeding.
Take naps when you can and add healthy snacks to your diet for energy. For example, a sandwich on wholegrain bread or fruit.
Night feeds
It is normal for babies to wake up for night feeds. These provide an important part of their calorie intake.
Night feeds are essential to produce more prolactin, which helps you build up your milk supply to meet your baby's growing needs.
Do not force larger volumes of bottle feeds before bedtime, to try to get them to sleep for longer periods. Evidence shows this is not the case. It can cause the baby discomfort and overfeeding.
As your baby grows, they may sleep for longer periods at night.
Vitamin D3 supplements
Give your baby 5 micrograms of vitamin D3 every day for the first 12 months if they're:
- breastfed
- taking less than 300mls of infant formula a day
Vitamin D supplements for babies
Help at home
Looking after a newborn baby is demanding, especially if you're having challenges with feeding.
Your partner, support person, family and friends can help with things such as:
- managing visitors
- preparing healthy meals and snacks
- doing housework, shopping and other chores
- taking care of older children
- helping with feeding and positioning your baby if breastfeeding
- providing emotional support and listening to your needs
- changing and bathing your newborn
Related topics
Responding to your baby’s cues
Adjusting to life with a new baby
