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Being together in the first hour is a special way to feel your baby's love. Home is in your arms, skin-to-skin. Baby wants to be near you more than anything, and will stop crying and become calm when she is with you. It's a bond that will last forever.
“Skin-to-skin” is a special way to hold your baby close right after birth. Your baby’s bare body is against your chest, heart-to-heart. This helps keep baby warm and calms both baby AND mom. In this calm zone, baby will begin to get used to you and his new world. It also helps your baby get off to a good start with breastfeeding. In fact, skin-to-skin helps your baby latch on all by himself!
It’s simple. The nurse will help you hold your baby skin-to-skin right after birth. Just do the following and watch the magic happen.
FOR THE BABY
FOR THE CHAMPIONWhen mom holds baby skin-to-skin, you have an important role, too. In fact, you can both enjoy this special time together!
The first hour is a magical time for you and your champion to fall in love with your baby. You've waited a long time for this special moment! Other family and friends will have plenty of chances to hold the baby later. Be sure to prepare them before you get to the hospital so they know what to expect and can support you.
If you had labor drugs, your baby may be a little sleepy. Be sure your baby can breathe easily. Your nurse can show you what to watch for so your baby stays safe.
Your baby’s weight, length and other procedures will be done after skin-to-skin. Your nurse will monitor both you and your baby very closely. If you or your baby becomes ill, skin-to-skin may not be possible or may be delayed. Ask if it is possible for your support person to hold the baby skin-to-skin if you are not able to. Look forward to holding your baby skin-to-skin as soon as you are both able.
It’s easy to cover your chest when doing skin-to-skin. A towel or light blanket can be placed across the baby’s back to cover you and keep baby warm. Ask for more blankets, if needed.
Right after birth, babies may still have fluid and a white pasty substance called vernix on their skin. They are not dirty! This fluid is actually good for their delicate skin. It also protects the baby from infection. Babies stay warm and calm when we wait to clean them.
Skin-to-skin is important no matter how your baby is born. If you have a C-section, the doctor and nurse will make sure both you and the baby are stable first. Many moms hold their baby skin-to-skin while the doctor closes their incision. If you are not able to hold the baby, ask if your support person can hold the baby skin-to-skin until you can.
Skin-to-skin is good for all babies and mothers, no matter how you feed your baby.
The most important thing after birth is helping baby to calm while skin-to-skin. The baby can be weighed after this special time.
If you and your baby are both doing well, you should be able to hold your baby skin-to-skin for at least an hour after the birth. Babies who are breastfeeding take about that long to look for the breast and latch on by themselves. If you had medications during your labor, your baby might be sleepy and take a little longer.
Skin-to-skin is important even after the first hour. Right after your first time together, the baby nurse will weigh and measure your baby and give needed medication. Once you are together again, you can hold your baby skin-to-skin in your room. In fact, the more baby is skin-to-skin with you, the more he will breastfeed. This helps your milk production get started more quickly. Once you are home, you can do skin-to-skin whenever you wish to help your baby feel calm and relaxed.
Skin-to-skin is awesome. The benefits are incredible, and it’s a magical time you’ll cherish forever. Best of all, you don’t have to do any work at all. You just let nature take its course. Be sure to tell your hospital you want skin-to-skin right after birth. You won’t want to miss it!
The first hour after your baby's birth can be a magical time if you and baby stay close. Baby will stop crying and become calm and content when he is near you. If this peaceful time is not disturbed, you and your baby can build a special bond. Baby will even show you some amazing talents. Best of all, it's a time for all of you to relax and fall in love.
It's simple! Just hold baby skin-to-skin for the first hour and let the magic begin. Your baby will use her instincts to follow nine special steps to meet you and adjust to her new world. It's an awesome journey you won't want to miss.
FOR THE BABY
FOR THE CHAMPIONAs mom's champion, you won't want to miss the magical first hour. Baby's nine steps can be easy to miss if you don't know what to watch for. Learn the steps so you can help mom see each one.
Being together in the first hour is a special way to feel your baby's love.
The first hour is a special time for you and your champion to meet your baby for the first time. You've waited a long time for this! Other family and friends will have plenty of chances to hold the baby later. Be sure to prepare them before you get to the hospital so they will know what to expect and can support you.
Holding your baby skin-to-skin gives you pain relief! If you need stitches or other special care after your baby is born, ask your doctor if you can hold your baby during the care.
Ask the hospital staff to wait until after your first hour together for routine procedures such as weighing and bathing the baby. If your baby needs special care, ask if it can be done while you hold your baby skin-to-skin. This gives pain relief for baby, too!
In some cases moms and babies must be apart right after the birth. Ask your nurse to bring your baby to you and hold him skin-to-skin as soon as possible.
Most babies take around an hour to an hour and a half to latch by themselves for the first time. If you have labor drugs, your baby might be sleepy and take a little longer. Each baby has her own time schedule, so be patient and enjoy each step of the journey. There will never be another first hour!
You and your family may be eager to know how much your baby weighs. You'll know soon enough! What's most important at first is being close so baby can have a warm welcome into the world. Your baby will be weighed right after the magical first hour.
Right after birth, babies may still have fluid and a white pasty substance called vernix on their skin. They are not dirty! This fluid is actually good for their delicate skin. It also protects the baby from infection. Babies keep warm and calm when we wait to clean them.
Time with baby in the first hour is important no matter how your baby is born. If you are awake during your C-section, ask if you can spend time with your baby while the doctor closes your incision. If you are not awake, ask the hospital to bring your baby to you as soon as you are stable. If for any reason you are not able to hold the baby, ask if your champion can hold the baby skin to skin until you can.
Some moms get sleepy after the birth. Ask your champion to stay with you and talk with you so you can watch the baby's nine steps together. Ask your nurse to help you support the baby so you are both comfortable.
Spending time together in the first hour is good for every baby and mother, no matter how the baby is fed.
The magical first hour is easy! Your baby does all the work, so your job is simply to relax and snuggle. It doesn't get any better than that!
The first time you cuddle your baby is a great time for the first feed. When you keep your baby close, skin-to-skin, baby can actually find your breast and latch on by himself. It’s amazing to feel this close to your baby and to see him satisfied and content. There’s no better way to bond!
It’s easy, because baby can do it herself. Here are some quick tips to help make it work.
FOR THE BABY
FOR THE CHAMPIONIt may be hard for mom to see how her baby is latched. As her champion, you can help.
Your happy, satisfied baby at your breast is a great way to feel sure of your role as a new mom.
If baby is not interested right at first, be patient. Labor drugs can sometimes make babies a little sleepy. Gently stroke your baby’s body to help wake her up. Express a little of your first milk and put it on your baby’s lips. Keep your baby close, skin-to-skin. Ask your nurse for help. She may ask the lactation consultant to help, if she is available.
Talk with your doctor about holding your baby as soon as you and baby are stable. If you and baby must be apart for a little while, ask your nurse to bring the baby to you as soon as you are both okay. Your nurse can show you ways to hold your baby so it does not hurt your incision.
If you or your baby needs special care, the first feed might be delayed. If the delay will be more than an hour, express your milk so it will begin flowing more quickly. Ask if you can go to your baby as soon as possible. Babies can still latch by themselves later, too. If baby has trouble latching, ask for help from your nurse. She may ask the lactation consultant to help if she is available.
When the baby is latched well, breastfeeding should not hurt. If it hurts, gently remove the baby from your breast and let him try again. Just slip your finger between his gums to break the suction. If you aren’t sure how things are going, ask your nurse to help you.
You may not feel it, but the milk is there! The amount is small, only about a teaspoon. But it’s just what’s needed to fill your baby’s marble-sized tummy.
Your baby will be content while sucking. You may even hear or see him swallow your milk. After the first feed, baby will relax and may even fall asleep.
Babies need some time to get used to their new world. Going through in the nine steps in the first hour is a magical time that ends with the first feed. If you had labor drugs, baby might be sleepy and need a little extra time.
Babies have to learn how to breastfeed. The first feed may take a little longer as baby figures out how it works! She may even come off and off the breast a few times until she gets it right. Once baby knows how to suck properly, she will latch more quickly for other feedings. The more your baby breastfeeds, the easier it gets!
There’s nothing more natural than the first feed at the end of a magical time with your baby. Your baby knows what to do. Your job? Watch and enjoy!
Right after your baby is born, nothing should stand in the way of your first hello. Once baby is near you, he will stop crying and become calm and content. This is your golden chance to bond and help baby feel safe in this scary new world. Other things, like weighing and bathing the baby, can wait.
Your body is amazing! You have everything you need to keep your baby safe and warm. It works best when we wait until after baby’s first feeding to do certain tests, weigh the baby, and even give the first bath.
FOR THE BABY
FOR THE CHAMPIONAs mom’s champion, you are her biggest support. You can help her talk with her doctor and nurse about her needs.
When you delay routine procedures, you and your baby have time to form a bond of love.
Birth can be a little messy, so it’s natural to wonder if baby should be bathed first. The fluid and white pasty substance (vernix) on the skin are actually GOOD for baby! It helps your baby fight germs. It also protects your baby’s very thin, tender skin. Giving a bath makes baby cold. It’s best to wait at least a few hours before giving baby a bath.
It’s natural to wonder how much your baby weighs. You and your family will all know soon enough! What’s most important is being close so baby can have a warm welcome into the world. Your baby will be weighed right after your magical first hour together.
Your baby’s first test is the APGAR score. This is done 1 minute and 5 minutes after the birth. It can be done while baby is on your chest, if he is stable. The doctor or nurse will observe your baby’s skin color, heart rate, and breathing. Other procedures your baby needs are blood tests, eye drops, and Vitamin K.
Eye drops or ointments help prevent eye infections baby can get during the birth. Ask if this can be delayed until after your magical first hour.
Vitamin K helps your baby’s blood clot. Some babies do not have enough when they are born and need this to help prevent bleeding. Ask if it can be done while your baby is skin-to-skin with you.
Your baby will need blood tests before going home. The blood will be taken by a stick in the heel of their foot. The test will check for many diseases that can be treated. Your hospital will also give baby a hepatitis B vaccine. Because drawing blood and giving shots can be painful, ask if you can hold your baby skin-to-skin while the tests are being done.
It’s not hard to delay routine procedures. All you have to do is ASK! You and your baby will be glad you did!
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