The Crucial First Hour

The Crucial First Hour
from babyfit.com

The moment you lay eyes on your new baby will be a moment you never forget. But there will probably be a lot going on around the two of you, and the commotion can easily distract you from bonding with the new love in your life.

Here's how to make the most of the first hour:
� Request at least one hour of uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact, and designate someone to enforce this. Sometimes well-intentioned hospital staffs are too eager to weigh and measure the baby, and in your vulnerable state you might agree to hand over your baby too soon. Cord cutting and suctioning, if needed, can all be performed with baby lying on your belly. Unless there is a medical emergency, everything else can wait.
� Dim the lights, if possible, so that the two of you can gaze eye-to-eye without the glare of florescent lights.
� If given the chance, many babies (especially babies born drug-free) will maneuver themselves to your nipple unassisted. Watch in amazement as they use their instincts to find comfort and food.
� Let your baby nurse as often and for as long as he or she desires. This is both soothing to baby and helpful for your body, as it helps to eject the placenta, promote bonding, and begins to return your uterus to its pre-pregnancy size.
� Talk to your baby. Babies recognize their mom's voice, as they've grown accustomed to it over the past nine months. Your voice is something familiar in this new, cold, dry world, and will bring comfort to your baby