Now, sometimes these types of deliveries are necessary. But, if it’s possible for you to have a natural, unmedicated birth, you should consider it. Not only is healing from a natural birth often easier, but you can usually start breastfeeding very soon afterward. Newborns tend to be awake and alert right after they’re born. So, within an hour of birth, many newborns will instinctively crawl up to the breast, find the nipple, and begin breastfeeding all on their own. Sometimes a little help is needed, but this is an excellent way to get breastfeeding started naturally. If you have a C-section, this won’t be an option, but you can start placing your baby skin-to-skin as soon as you feel comfortable. A good latch ensures that your baby will be able to draw the breast milk out of your breast, and it sends a signal to your body to make a healthy supply of breast milk. A good latch also helps to prevent some of the painful and common problems of breastfeeding such as sore nipples, breast engorgement and plugged milk ducts. Breastfeeding often during the first few weeks of breastfeeding is what stimulates your body to produce a healthy supply of breast milk, and pacifier use can interfere with the amount of time your baby spends at the breast. Therefore, try to hold off on the pacifier until your baby is about four weeks old. By this time, your baby will be breastfeeding well, and your milk supply should be established. Of course, only you, your partner, and your child’s doctor will know what’s best for you and your baby. There are some children such as preemies or those who suffer from colic that may benefit from early pacifier use, so if you do decide to use one, you don’t have to feel guilty. Like pacifiers, the early introduction of a bottle can cause nipple confusion, and sometimes a baby will prefer the bottle to the breast. You can prevent these issues by avoiding the bottle for the first few weeks. Of course, sometimes it’s medically necessary to give your child a formula supplement, and you can’t help that. But, as long as your baby is healthy and doing well, continue to breastfeed, breastfeed, breastfeed.
