So, you have made it through the first 24 hours with your brand-new baby. Most likely you’re thinking you have won the baby-lottery, how lovely and sleepy your little one has been! What a rush of excitement and joy finally meeting this little person you have awaited so long!

Slowly though, your baby is beginning to realise the never-ending supply of nutrients they were accustomed to in the womb has ceased and suddenly they find themselves quite inconvenienced by this idea! Where is the 24 hour ‘womb-service’ in this cold and noisy place?!

With this in mind, its no wonder ‘night 2’ can be a little different. Colloquially termed second night syndrome, your baby is in need of a lot of love and reassurance from you. His once warm, dark and familiar surroundings are now suddenly unfamiliar with foreign sensations, bright lights and sounds.  Naturally, he cries and so you put him to the breast. After a few sucks he stops to sleep. Take him off the breast though, he protests! This may continue for several hours.

Its important to know this is perfectly normal behaviour for a baby of his age. To him, you are home. Your body is safe, warm and comforting in times of distress.

This is the time to cuddle your precious baby close to your heart, facilitate skin to skin contact often and frequent breastfeeds to settle, soothe and treasure. This frequent stimulation of the breast encourages the supply of milk to increase as a physiological response to your baby’s needs.

You are not alone, this may be a tiring 24 – 48 hours, but it will be worth it!

Cover image of @kaylarose_absolum by @meganhandelphotography