What to expect in the first hours after birth

Now that your baby is here...

It is time to focus on:

Your mood and emotional well-being
Your baby and their feeding needs
Your sleep routine and avoiding fatigue (as much as possible)
Your physical recovery from birth

This is also a time to manage any existing conditions or chronic diseases you may have. Your own health can sometimes be the first thing you ignore when you have just had a baby. It will be important to get the support you need to take care of yourself — for your health as well as your baby’s.

Skin-to-skin

You should hold your baby skin-to-skin for at least 1 hour after they are born. Ask the hospital to do routine newborn procedures while your baby is on your chest rather than taking them away. Babies kept skin-to-skin are more likely to breast or chestfeed well and often. This will be an important part of establishing your milk supply.

Whether you breast or chestfeed or not, holding your baby skin-to-skin will regulate their temperature and heart rate.

For a reminder on how to hold your baby skin-to-skin, as well as its benefits, take a look at this resource.

Your baby's first feed

Feed your baby as soon after delivery as possible. Your baby will be alert and interested in breast or chestfeeding in the first hour or 2 after they are born. If you are unable to nurse your baby right after they are born, ask to breast or chestfeed as soon as possible.

This first feed can happen while skin-to-skin time is taking place. If given the time, your baby may seek out your breast or chest, and feeding on their own. Or, they may need a little help from you. If you had a long and difficult labor, you both may be tired and need help getting feeding started. Do not be afraid to ask your nurse or a lactation consultant for help. Breast or chestfeeding is something new you will both learn together!

Did You Know?

Colostrum is the first milk your breast or chest will produce during pregnancy. Colostrum is a special form of human milk, full of antibodies that protect your baby’s immune system. This will help to keep them safe from illness. The size of your baby's stomach is very tiny. The amount of colostrum you provide is just the amount that your baby needs.

Colostrum will also have a laxative effect that will help your newborn poop for the first time. This poop is called meconium. It will be dark in color and thick, so it often looks like tar (or is very tar-like).

When you feed your baby colostrum, it will be as though you are giving your baby their first vaccination. Colostrum is most often yellow or a deep golden color.

Cramping

After having your baby, you may feel cramping while breast or chestfeeding. Oxytocin, the hormone stimulated when your baby breast or chestfeeds, is what causes the uterus to contract. Cramping will help your uterus return to the size it was before your pregnancy. This cramping may feel like menstrual cramps or a milder version of the cramping you experienced during labor. It will lessen as your body recovers from birth.

Feel free to ask for pain relief options. You can also help ease discomfort from cramps by trying the following tips:

- Gently massage your lower abdomen or uterus.

- Lie face down with a pillow under your stomach.

- Use a heating pad on your abdomen.

- Relax and take deep breaths.

IMPORTANT

Pay attention to how your body feels as you recover from pregnancy and your baby’s birth. If something does not feel right in the first few weeks, tell your healthcare provider. Your healthy recovery will be important for your baby, your family, and YOU. Do not be afraid to ask questions or share your concerns.