Early initiation of breastfeeding and baby self attachment at the breast Signs of a baby showing interest in breastfeeding Breast aroma Do not force a baby on to the breast Caesarean births What if a baby seems slow to show interest? See also: How to breastfeed Back to the Getting ready page Signs of a baby showing interest in breastfeeding A mother and her baby will spend some time recovering from birth and within a relatively short time frame of around an hour, if a baby is left undisturbed, a well baby will start to show interest in breastfeeding. Being close to the mother is essential for babies. They expect to smell their mothers and feel that ‘the mother’ is still a part of them. They need this as part of their normal, and sometimes remedial, birth recovery processes How does a mother know when a baby is showing interest in breastfeeding? The baby will feel the warmth of her/his mother’s body, feel the mother’s body rhythms, recognise her voice, smell the breast and start to push upwards towards the breast. See also questions and answers on Feeding cues. Back to top Breast aroma The breast excretes an aroma which is only noticed by babies – this triggers feeding interest and gets a baby’s nose pointing in the right direction! Researchers have found that these special breast aromas not only arouse feeding interest in babies but they also help soothe an unsettled baby. The mother fragrance is very unique to each mother and babies recognise these familiar aromas and feel safe, secure, settled and responsive to feeding. Back to top Do not force a baby on to the breast It is not necessary to force a baby on to the breast and doing this may slow down the process of latching at the breast and early breastfeeding. The baby will search around for the nipple when next to the breast, bring her or his tongue forward to lick the nipple area and then start to open the mouth wide to take a good mouthful of nipple and areola. Rushing the baby with this internally programmed sequence may delay breastfeeding as babies need to get the sequence in the right order to ensure that the tongue comes forward at the same time that the mouth opens wide – these are essential components of latching at the breast. A baby may find his or her way to the breast and latch and suckle all on her/his own but mothers can also help their babies a little with positioning if necessary. Midwives will also give you guidance. Step by step details about positioning and latching is provided on the How to breastfeed page as well as helpful and simple ideas about how to help a baby get back on track if she/he is slow to get going with breastfeeding. Back to top Caesarean births In a Baby Friendly designated maternity hospital, women who have caesarean births with either spinal or epidural anaesthesia are supported to have skin-to-skin care with their well babies in theatre, and to initiate breastfeeding when the baby is showing signs of interest and readiness to breastfeed. Women who have had caesarean section births with a general anaesthetic are supported to have supervised skin-to- skin contact with their babies as soon as they are able to wake up and are responsive. Back to top What if a baby seems slow to show interest? Most well babies are very alert in the first two hours following birth and if undisturbed will self-attach to feed at the breast and do this at approximately thirty-sixty minutes post-birth. Sometimes a baby who is born after her/his mother has had labour and birth pain relief may be a little slow to get started. Don’t worry and don’t rush this new little person who needs a bit longer to recover. Some babies need longer to recover from birth even when they have not had some of mum’s pain medication on board – give a baby time and let her/him lead the way. Even if there has been a long period of uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact with a mother and baby some babies remain a little sleepy and need more time to feel ready to feed. This is not unusual. If the mother and baby have moved from the birth facility to a different maternity facility for postnatal care just recommence skin-to-skin contact once admitted into the new room and the baby will get back on track faster and stay snuggly, secure and warm too. Remember that human babies are the most immature of all mammal babies and what helps babies recover from birth faster and gives them interest in feeding, comfort, connection and security is their mothers. See also questions and answers on Feeding cues. Back to top Back to the Getting ready page Website feedback We welcome your feedback on this page.

Where to get help Midwives Healthline - 0800 611 116 Well Child La Leche League More information on these and other breastfeeding help providers...

Page last reviewed: 31 July 2009