After you give birth

During the first hour after birth, most babies are alert and curious. Holding your baby against your chest, skin-to-skin with no blankets or clothing in between, is a wonderful way to help your baby transition from life inside the womb to life in the outside world.

Skin-to-skin contact after birth triggers healthy baby behaviors, helping your little one stay warm on their own, breathe on their own, and learn to nurse. It also helps your baby stay calm and cry less as he or she adjusts to so many new sights, sounds, feelings, and experiences.

You’ll benefit from skin-to-skin contact, too. It helps your body produce breast milk, speeds up recovery time, and increases your level of maternal oxytocin — a hormone that promotes nurturing and bonding.

All babies are born with a natural instinct to search for the nipple. Many want to nurse right after birth, but others wait a little longer. We encourage all new moms to try to breastfeed right away, because it helps the uterus contract and reduces bleeding.

Your labor and delivery nurse can help you get into the right position to breastfeed your baby, and let you know when your little one is latched on properly. Don’t be surprised if you have some trouble at first — breastfeeding is something you and your baby have to learn together.

If you need help getting started with breastfeeding at the hospital, you can ask a nurse or breastfeeding specialist (lactation consultant). Once you’re home, you can call the Kaiser Permanente Lactation Line at 770-496-3409 for support or to schedule a consultation. Calls are returned Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET. You do not need a referral to receive breastfeeding assistance.

We’ll give you and your baby as much bonding time as possible, but we’ll be in to check on you both from time to time. We’ll also need to come into your room to:

• cover you with a warm blanket, as shaking and chills are common after delivery
• rub your lower abdomen to help tighten your uterus and stop bleeding
• help you empty your bladder
• repair any tears or incisions if you tore or had an episiotomy
• remove the tube from your back if you had an epidural

In the hours after delivery, you may feel sore and need help going to the bathroom. You may have sharp, painful contractions for several hours (and sometimes days or even weeks while you breastfeed) as your uterus shrinks in size. It’s important to get plenty of rest during this time and allow your body to recover.