What is one potential benefit of initiating breastfeeding within the first hour after birth?

Initiating breastfeeding within the first hour after birth offers a significant benefit related to improved mother-infant bonding. This early skin-to-skin contact and the act of breastfeeding help facilitate emotional connections between the mother and her newborn. The immediate initiation of breastfeeding promotes the release of hormones like oxytocin in the mother, which further enhances maternal bonding, reduces stress, and encourages nurturing behaviors.

Moreover, early breastfeeding is crucial for establishing a successful breastfeeding relationship, as it helps stimulate milk production and encourages the infant to latch properly, setting the stage for long-term breastfeeding success. The bonding process that occurs during this critical period can have lasting positive effects on emotional and social development for both the mother and the infant.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the benefits associated with the early initiation of breastfeeding. For instance, increased maternal weight gain or lower risk of gestational diabetes are not directly related to the timing of breastfeeding initiation, and decreased breastfeeding duration runs counter to the goals of initiating breastfeeding early, which is typically associated with longer breastfeeding duration.