Golden 30 Minutes: Why Newborns Must Be Breastfed Right After Birth
Paediatricians have raised urgent concerns about the dangers of delaying breastfeeding for newborns. They warn that waiting beyond the first 30 minutes after birth can expose infants to life-threatening complications, including hypoglycaemia, brain damage, and long-term developmental challenges.
The first milk, colostrum, is rich in antibodies and nutrients that help protect babies from infections, regulate blood sugar and temperature, and support brain development.
Experts stress that initiating breastfeeding immediately after birth is not only crucial for the child’s health but also beneficial for mothers, as early suckling helps the uterus contract, reduces blood loss, and fosters bonding.
According to health specialists, hypoglycaemia, dangerously low blood sugar, is common in newborns if feeding is delayed, and if left untreated, can cause irreversible brain damage.
While some medical conditions or complications, such as a Caesarean section, may delay direct breastfeeding, experts recommend alternatives such as expressed breast milk, infant formula, or glucose IVs to protect the baby.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that every newborn be breastfed within the first hour of life, beginning with colostrum, as breast milk remains the optimal nutrition for infants.
Every child has the right to survival, growth, and development. Ensuring timely breastfeeding within the first hour of life is a fulfillment of a child’s right to the highest attainable standard of health.
