Skin to skin and endless cuddles
What you both need to get to know each other is cuddles, cuddles and more cuddles. As soon as your baby is born, you can have those cuddles to provide your baby with comfort, reassurance and security and you can enjoy the fruit of your labour!
Your baby will be soothed by your voice and by the warmth of your skin, giving him all the security he needs.
Whether you want to formula feed or breastfeed, it can be very beneficial to bring your baby to your chest for those cuddles and security.
Find out the sex of your baby
You may already know whether you are having a boy or a girl but if not, as soon as your baby is born, this is when you will find out. You may be happy for your midwife to tell you or you may want to find out for yourselves!
What babies look like?
Cute, small, vulnerable, wrinkly, slimy, beautiful, yours…
Chances are your baby is going to be slimy with the rich, creamy vernix that protects your babies skin in the womb. Space is tight at the end of pregnancy, so your baby could be pretty curled up for a while.
When babies are first born, they look grey until their circulation pinks them up. Some babies will cry and some will be silent, it can be a little scary especially if it’s not what you expect but you will have your midwife for support and reassurance.
The majority of babies are very alert when they are born – it is part of their survival instinct to use their big eyes to stare, connect and to make you fall in love with him. Their eye contact can be very intense and they can be very content with you, your baby will know your voices as well so he can be soothed by your talking to him.
Feeding
If you are going to breastfed, it can be beneficial to bring your baby to your boobs as part of your skin to skin cuddle with him. Your baby may not want to feed straight away but he may want to explore your boobs, to get to know what they feel like and what your milk taste like.
If you are going to formula feed, your midwife will either get you a bottle, or help you make up a bottle of formula. Some hospitals will still give you formula, others will ask you to bring in your own – check with your midwife.
With both methods, your midwife is there for support and practical help to feed your baby.
What does your new baby need?
Warmth, safety, security, food, comfort and you
What if you can’t cuddle your baby straight away?
Sometimes it is not possible to have those long skin-to-skin cuddles with your baby because either you or your baby needs some extra support from the medical team.
As ideal as it can be to have those cuddles soon after birth, parents can feel guilt or sadness if this is not possible. But it is never too late to have those bonding cuddles – do it for as long as you can when you can.
