You can choose to breast feed or bottle feed your baby following birth.
Keeping your baby skin to skin for this feed makes your baby feel safe, however you choose to feed your baby.
If you choose to breast feed, the first feed is colostrum. Colostrum is the milk your breasts produce in the first few days following birth. It gives your baby important nutrients, and can help protect them as your milk is full of antibodies.
This is a time for you to get to know your baby. Hold them skin to skin as soon as you can, for as long as you want. Holding your baby for at least an hour, or until after the first feed can calm you both, and keep the baby warm as you get to know them. During this time for feeding and cuddling, lots of oxytocin will be released into your body. Oxytocin helps with bonding. It also helps your body heal from birth, controlling bleeding and helping the uterus return to its normal size.
