Did you just deliver? These Q&A will help you!

When should I feed my baby for the first time?

Every new mother will have this question - "When should we feed the baby for the first time?". Every mother is excited to know and hold her little one in her arms, to cuddle the little one.

The right answer is - Soon after the delivery, and in the delivery room itself!


As soon as you deliver the baby, try to hold the baby close to you, have skin contact with the baby. You can do this even before the nurses take the baby for cleaning. This is the first bonding and very essential for mother and child.

You can start breastfeeding as soon as your baby is ready to suck. How to know that? When the nurses clean the baby and give to you, you can try by putting your nipple in baby's mouth.

During the first hours of delivery, the babies are very alert and they tend to suckle very easily.

First milk of the mother, which is yellowish and little thick is very essential for the baby and helps in building up his immunity.

You should not give glucose/jaggery/sugar/water/honey etc before the baby has been breast-fed for the first time. Giving these things before the first breast feed may become the cause of infection in the digestive system of the baby. If the baby's stomach becomes full from these things, the baby might not such at the mother's breast.

How long should I feed my baby?

A mother should feed the baby one breast at a time, till it becomes empty. The initial milk that comes out from the breast is also called as fore-milk, it is watery in nature. It contains sugars and proteins and it helps to quench the thirst of the baby. The milk which is secreted after the fore-milk, is called the hind-milk. The hind-milk is rich in fats, and it helps in satisfying the baby's hunger.

How to tell if the baby is done? You can find that out when the baby's sucking slows down and your breast becomes soft. If the baby is interested, you can shift to the second breast. Or, you should use the second breast in the next feed, and keep alternating.

When should be the subsequent feeds for the baby?

The second feed for the baby should be usually within 4-6 hours. There is no restriction of time, yo can breastfeed your baby whenever the baby is hungry. You can feed  your baby even during the night.

Thereafter, babies can have sufficient milk by feeding every 2-2.5 hours. Waiting for more than 2-2.5 hours can lead to swollen breasts.

How do I know that my baby is getting sufficient milk ?

In the first couple of week, if your baby is having 3-4 motions per day and passing urine 6 or more times per day, the baby is receiving a good supply of breast milk.