Early skin-to-skin contact, without interruptions, immediately after birth, favors the initiation and subsequent support of breastfeeding.
During the first hour after birth, babies have the ability to initiate suckling at the breast on their own. This is possible if, at their reception, after gently drying their skin and evaluating their breathing, they are placed in prone position directly on the skin of the mother's abdomen and chest, without interfering with contact. To achieve this, newborns require time, around 45 minutes to 2 hours after birth.
It is very important to allow them to start breastfeeding as soon as they show signs of being ready for it, not to force them to start sucking and not to interrupt this moment. It is recommended that skin-to-skin contact be immediately after birth, or as close as possible in the first 30 minutes, and continuously, without interruptions.
Only a serious medical reason could justify the separation of the newborn and the mother. When breastfeeding begins under these circumstances, its installation and support are favored and the mother and baby acquire security to breastfeed.
Early contact, including touching the nipple, can have effects on maternal behavior in general and on the bond between mother and child, so it is recommended regardless of the decision on how the newborn will be fed.
