Moomysmilk

The first hour after birth is more important than many people realize.

For mothers of premature or very low birth weight babies, breastfeeding often isn’t possible right away. That first feeding is replaced by the pump.

Research by Parker and colleagues found that mothers who began expressing milk within the first hour after birth experienced an earlier onset of lactogenesis II (when milk production increases significantly) and produced more milk in the days and weeks that followed compared with mothers who started later.

Why does this matter?

Those first hours after birth are when your body is especially responsive to milk removal. Early stimulation sends the message that milk is needed, helping establish milk production during a critical window.

Of course, birth doesn’t always go as planned. Some mothers need emergency surgery, intensive medical care, or time with a critically ill baby. If you weren’t able to pump within the first hour, this is not a reason to lose hope. Many mothers still go on to build a full milk supply with frequent, effective milk removal and good lactation support.

But when possible, helping mothers express milk within that first hour is a simple, evidence-based practice that may make a meaningful difference.

🤍 Save this for an expecting NICU parent or share it with someone who works in maternal or newborn care.

📚 Parker LA, Sullivan S, Krueger C, Kelechi T, & Mueller M. Journal of Perinatology. 2012.
📚 Parker LA, Sullivan S, Krueger C, & Mueller M. Breastfeeding Medicine. 2015.