**Author details**

newborn attachment, reduces maternal and newborn stress and helps the newborn transition to postnatal life. With breastfeeding in first hour, the child also has a stable heart rhythm without bradycardia. The possibility of apnea is reduced by 75%, since the depth of each breath

Colonization by mother's bacteria and first lactation colostrum, which creates an optimal intestinal flora, is an optimal protection of the child immunity from possible allergies which might otherwise can be developed later in child life. Breastmilk is more than just food—it is also a potent medicine. It protects the child against disease, regulates the child's immune system and helps child to digest the food [47]. This process helps to program the healthy development of the infant's gut microbiome for life. There is evidence, for example, that breastmilk can help to counteract an infant's genetic predisposition for obesity and other chronic diseases. So the first hour after birth is a critical period with irreversible consequences from the point of bacteriological view [12, 48]. More on that can be found in impacts on infant micro-

Mother's breasts are natural thermoregulator to maintain the body temperature of a child. They regulate the temperature of a child. If the child is cold, the breast temperature increases, or if the child is warm, the breast temperature falls. Mother's breasts are also natural thermo-

An undisturbed first hour with skin-to-skin also reduces the risk of hypoglycemia (see chapter about metabolic adaptation). Newborn babies can produce glucose from their body stores of energy until they are breastfeeding well and are more likely to do so when they remain skin-to-skin with their mothers. Breastfeeding extended period of natural immunity against mumps, measles and polio. Colostrum has a laxative effect and helps to facilitate the elimination of the first child's stool. It is extremely easy to digest and does not cause constipation. The child has also less troubling with abdominal cramps. As long as the child is breastfed, it is protected against many infections, because breast milk receipt of child antibodies that protect against diseases that can overcome its mother. The child is also protected against ear infections, diarrhea, gastrointestinal infections and diseases of the respiratory tract. For breastfed infant, it is less likely to be diagnosed with meningitis and childhood diabetes. An active intake (compared with passive swallowing bottle) promotes the proper development of the jaw, the mouth muscles and cheek bones, resulting in a very favorable impact on the

First hour following birth for mature newborn is without doubt the most critical hour in life of human beings. During this time, a lot of changes happen. When woman gives birth, all the hard work she does generate changes in the chemistry in the brains. It makes women want to nurture her child. These hormones also cause the uterus to contract, shrink and stop bleeding. Based on decades of evidence, the World Health Organization and United Nations Children's Fund [6] recommended that all healthy mothers and babies, regardless of feeding preference

becomes more stable [9, 13, 48].

20 Selected Topics in Neonatal Care

biome assembly chapter.

development of children's speech.

**8. Conclusion**

regulator for child's respiratory and heart rates [8, 10, 48].

Teja Škodič Zakšek\*, Anita Jug Došler, Ana Polona Mivšek and Petra Petročnik

\*Address all correspondence to: teja.zaksek@zf.uni-lj.si

Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
