According to traditional customs, newborns should not be fed breast milk until 24 hours after birth, and some even suggest waiting until the breasts become engorged (about 2-3 days) before feeding the newborn. The reason is that the mother needs rest after childbirth, and the newborn has already stored nutrients in the mother's body, so it is not harmful to feed them later.
In fact, feeding newborns too late is not beneficial to their health. Generally speaking, newborns who are fed late have more severe jaundice, and some may even experience hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia can cause sustained damage to the brain, especially in premature newborns with low birth weight. Some newborns may also experience dehydration fever due to late feeding. Therefore, it is now widely recommended to feed newborns as early as possible.
What is the best time to feed newborns? Some suggest giving 5% glucose water to newborns 6 hours after birth, then another dose of glucose water after 6 hours, and starting breastfeeding after 12 hours. Others suggest giving a small amount of glucose water to newborns 3-4 hours after birth, and allowing them to suckle breast milk after 6 hours. However, experts from the World Health Organization believe that newborns should be breastfed immediately after birth or at least within 2 hours. The reason is that colostrum is the most suitable food for newborns, as it contains high concentrations of nutrients and substances that prevent various infectious diseases.
In addition, breastfeeding is regulated by the nervous and endocrine systems. When newborns suckle their mother's nipples, it can stimulate the milk ejection reflex, promote milk secretion and uterine recovery, and reduce postpartum bleeding, which is beneficial for breastfeeding and the recovery of the mother's health.
Many psychologists from China and abroad have found that newborns have the strongest sucking ability within 20-30 minutes after birth. If they do not receive sucking stimulation, it will affect their future sucking ability. Moreover, the first hour after birth is a sensitive period for newborns and the best time to establish mutual dependence and emotional bond between mother and child.
Feeding newborns early can also prevent hypoglycemia and reduce the degree of physiological weight loss. Therefore, as long as the mother's condition is normal, the newborn can be allowed to try sucking the mother's nipple after childbirth, so that the child can learn to breastfeed and get breast milk as early as possible, which is beneficial for both the mother and the child.
