The benefits of breastfeeding in the first hour of life

Abstract

The aim was to identify in the scientific literature the importance of breastfeeding in the newborn's first hour of life. This is an integrative literature review, based on the guiding question “What is the importance of breastfeeding in the first hour of life?”. Searches were carried out in LILACS, SciELO, Medline and BDENF databases, using the descriptors “Breastfeeding”, “Postpartum period”, “Maternity Hospitals”, “Maternal and Child Health Services” and “Newborn”. Using the inclusion criteria: articles in Portuguese, published at interval of the last five years, fully available through electronic access. And the exclusion criteria: dissertations, duplications, which did not answer the guiding question and review articles. Breastfeeding in the first hour of life reduces the neonatal mortality rate, immunological protection and promotes conditions for the development of the newborn's body systems, in addition to producing oxytocin, reducing the risk of developing hemorrhage and other maternal complications. It is noted that breastfeeding in the first hour of the newborn's life offers numerous maternal benefits and especially for the newborn, promoting an improvement in the child's overall health.