The moments immediately following childbirth are essential for establishing feeding practices. Newborns are born with innate reflexes such as the rooting and sucking reflex, which enable them to find and latch onto the breast or bottle for nourishment. Early feeding is critical for several reasons: it provides the newborn with essential nutrients, helps regulate blood sugar levels, supports immune protection, and fosters maternal-infant bonding.

Within the first hour of life, it’s highly recommended that babies are given skin-to-skin contact with their mother. This not only calms the newborn and stabilizes temperature and heart rate but also stimulates early feeding cues such as lip-smacking, hand-to-mouth movements, and nuzzling against the breast. During this time, feeding should ideally commence with colostrum, the thick, yellowish fluid produced by the breasts before mature milk comes in.

Colostrum is packed with immunoglobulins, particularly IgA, which lines the newborn’s intestines and acts as a first defense against pathogens. It’s also high in proteins, minerals, and growth factors that promote gut development and protect against infections. Even though colostrum is produced in small amounts, it perfectly matches a newborn’s tiny stomach capacity, which is about the size of a cherry on the first day.

Early feeding also helps stimulate uterine contractions through the release of oxytocin, reducing postpartum bleeding for the mother. Initiating breastfeeding or early formula feeding supports the mother’s milk production cycle, triggered by demand and supply. In cases where immediate breastfeeding isn’t possible—such as after a cesarean or with a preterm baby—colostrum can be hand-expressed and given to the infant with a syringe or spoon.

In summary, the first feeds following birth are a foundational moment for both nourishment and bonding, directly impacting the baby’s short- and long-term health outcomes.