Birth Practises And Early Infant Feeding

Question 1

What happens immediately after a baby is born

Answer 1

Baby is handled by the midwives student or parent and dried thoroughly. Baby transitions to the outside world by breathing and crying
Baby placed on mother chest

Question 2

What is skin to skin contact

Answer 2

Dried naked baby is placed on mother bare chest often covered in a blanket for 1 hour
Only if the mother is well enough and if the baby is well enough

Question 3

What are the benefits of skin to skin contact

Answer 3

Stimulates the release of prolactin and oxytocin
Calms and relaxes baby and mother
Regulates baby heart temperature and breathing
Regulates baby temperature
Stimulates breast seeking behaviour and interest in feeding
Stimulates endorphins releases
Protects baby from infections

Question 4

Physiology of skin to skin contact

Answer 4

Thermal regulation avoids hypothermia
An early first feed and higher blood glucose levels counteracts physiological drop in blood glucose after birth
Baby familiarise itself with its mother’s chests and learns how to locate and self attach to the breast.
Normal transition to real life means more stable heart
Helps placenta to come out to stop mother get an infection or bleed out

Question 5

What to expect durin* the first feed

Answer 5

Feed may last 5 mins plus it may stop and start and stop
Expect the baby to fall into a pattern of rhythmic suckling
Baby may unlatch itself from the breast and re latch and feed again shortly afterwards. This is normal neonatal behaviour and not a sign of insufficient milk supply .
It may fall asleep on the breast and awake and begin suckling again
Even after fed the baby may not want to be put in a cot

Question 6

Describes hormones post birth oxytocin

Answer 6

Oxytocin levels peak during labour and birth
Feeling of love attachment and contentment
Plays a key role in mother infant bonding and feelings of protectiveness
Oxytocin is stimulated by touch , feeding and skin to skin contact

Question 7

Descibe the hormone post birth prolactin

Answer 7

Prolactin is no longer suppressed by the progesterone being excreted by the placenta so prolactin receptors are activated.
High circulating levels of prolactin can now lock into the receptors sites to stimulate milk production
Prolactin production is stimulated by the baby sucking at the breast . When the bay sucks the prolactin is released from the anterior pituitary gland
Positive feedback loop the more the baby feeds the more prolactin is released the more milk is made