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Golden Hours for Breastfeeding: Why are the First Hours of Breastfeeding So Important?
From the moment a newborn is born, countless studies have shown that natural breastfeeding behavior is irreplaceable during the first hour of life. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), breast milk is the perfect food for newborns and should be the only source of food for the first six months of life. But why do we place so much emphasis on starting breastfeeding within this first hour?
Six out of ten babies worldwide are not breastfed in the first hour after birth, which means that many newborns are unable to obtain early protection from breast milk. The first hour of breastfeeding not only provides critical nutrients, but also helps your baby build a strong immune system.
Breast milk is the main source of nutrition for newborns and contains substances that can protect infants from infection and inflammation.
The importance of breastfeeding in the first hour
Breastfeeding within the first hour after birth encourages the baby's natural sucking reflex and increases the mother's chances of producing breast milk. The colostrum produced during this period is rich in immunoglobulins and other antioxidants that can protect the baby from disease.
Immediate breastfeeding can promote the physiological stability of the newborn, reduce the risk of infection, and reduce the mortality rate of infants in the neonatal period.
Unique advantages of breast milk
The advantage of breast milk lies not only in its nutritional content, but also in its dynamic structure. The mother's body adjusts the composition of breast milk according to the needs of the baby. This personalized nutritional supply is unmatched by any formula milk. In addition, breast milk contains probiotics that aid digestion and promote intestinal health in babies.
Studies have shown that breastfed babies have many long-term health advantages, including a reduced risk of various infections and improved intelligence.
The choice between breast milk and formula milk
While formula can be an alternative in some cases, the medical community agrees that breast milk is an irreplaceable source of nutrition. Especially in the early days after a baby is born, if the mother is unable to provide breast milk, finding well-processed donor milk may be a viable option.
The process of breast milk production
Breast milk production is controlled by the hormones progesterone and prolactin and begins shortly after delivery. Colostrum is the earliest form of breast milk and is rich in many immune factors that help give even premature babies a healthy start.
Advice from the first hour to continued breastfeeding
Medical experts recommend that mothers start breastfeeding within the first hour after their babies are born and continue exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months to help newborns get essential nutritional and immune support. Continuing breastfeeding until two years of age can extend its benefits over a longer period.
ConclusionEven though women in many countries around the world gave up the trend of natural breastfeeding in the 1950s, it has become widely popular again in recent years.
Breastfeeding is the best gift every mother can give her child. Breastfeeding in the first hour not only helps to ensure the baby's health, but also establishes companionship and a sense of security. As a mother, are you prepared to best support yourself and your baby?
