Besides giving birth, feeding your baby is really your first parenting task or challenge. It is the main thing we look at during the first week or two of life to be sure your baby is healthy, and is the first main thing you need to learn about.
What to feed your baby
Breast milk is by far the best thing for your baby (and for mom’s health as well), even if mom is able to do it only for a short period of time. Any amount of breast feeding is beneficial (to both baby and mother), even if it is for only a few days. There really is no way to compare breast milk and artificial milk. All moms should at least try to breast feed at first and see how it goes. Most hospitals have good breastfeeding support and consultants to help you get started.
For moms that cannot or choose not to breastfeed, artificial formulas are probably better and healthier than they ever have been, though they still cannot compare with breast milk. There are a variety of artificial formula brands and types available.
All that your baby needs is breast milk or formula; you should not feed your baby water, juice, or any other liquid, unless told to do so by your doctor. Do not add any cereal or other foods to bottles unless your doctor tells you to.
When to feed your baby
Babies are very sleepy and not terribly hungry the first few days of life. They are born with extra fluid in their bodies and are supposed to lose weight the first few days. A healthy newborn only needs ½ to 1 ounce every 3-4 hours or so. Usually by day 3-4, they start getting hungry and will start eating better. It may take a week or two for them to settle into a routine, however.
Your baby will probably want to eat about every 2-3 hours or so for the first 1-2 weeks. If your baby is asleep during the day when it has been 3 hours since the last feeding, then you should wake your baby up to feed. At night during the first 1-2 weeks, if your baby sleeps more than 4 hours between feedings, then you should wake her up to feed as well. After 2 weeks of age, it is not usually necessary to wake your baby up at night to feed; let her tell you when she needs to eat!
Babies can be very sleepy during that first week or two. You may need to stimulate your baby to get her to eat – you can partially undress her, rub her back, pat her, use a wipe, change her diaper, or try other ways to wake her. Sometimes this will work, but other times she will not wake up at feeding time. If not, try again a little later.
Cluster feeding
Newborns often have a strange feeding pattern the first week or two: They suddenly want to eat every 30 minutes to an hour for 3-5 feedings, then they may not want to eat again for 4-6 hours. This strange pattern is normal and will go away; however, it is often confusing or concerning to parents.
Growth spurts
Many babies have short periods of rapid growth where they are hungrier and want to feed more often for several days. They usually then return to their normal feeding pattern.
Signs your baby is ready to eat feeding cues
Your baby will show signs she is ready to eat, usually before she starts to cry. She may wiggle around and seem a little antsy or anxious. She may smack her lips, suck her fingers or lips, or act like she is looking for something. Eventually, she will usually cry.
How much to feed your baby
Babies have very small stomachs! The first day, your baby’s stomach is only a few teaspoons. It will increase in size pretty quickly though.
- Day 1 each feeding 2.5-10 mL (1/2 to 2 tsp.)
- Day 2 each feeding 5-15 mL (1 tbsp., 1/2 ounce)
- Day 3 each feeding 15-30 mL (1/2 to 1 ounce)
- Day 4 each feeding 1-2 ounces (30-60 mL)
- Day 5+ 1-3 ounces per feeding
Once your baby is a week or two old, she will probably take about 2-2.5 ounces per pound of body weight per day; an 8 lb. baby will take about 16-20 ounces per day, or about 2-3 ounces per feeding, over 7-10 feedings per day.
Your baby’s stomach size
Your baby’s stomach size is small! A newborn’s stomach is only about 1-2 teaspoons big! That’s perfect, because that is how much colostrum you make every few hours! It does mean that newborns have to eat frequently. But the small feedings of colostrum are perfect for your baby!
Other related issues
Burping
Babies will swallow some air while feeding; breast-fed babies will swallow less and may not burp much at all. Burping your baby will make him more comfortable, have less gas and spit up less. Breast-fed babies can be burped between sides and when finished. Bottle-fed babies can be burped every ounce or so at first, then every 2-3 ounces as he gets older. Every baby is different and your baby may need to be burped more or less frequently.
Babies are usually burped with the baby on your shoulder. They can also be burped lying face-down in your lap or sitting in your lap with one hand holding her chest and chin and the other on her back. Don’t lean her too far forward because this can make burping more difficult.
Pacifiers
Pacifiers can be useful in helping a baby calm down or fall asleep. Sucking is a comfort method for many babies. Many people are concerned that pacifiers interfere with breastfeeding, but this is usually not true. Pacifiers do not cause nipple confusion or interfere with breastfeeding that way. If a baby is hungry and needs to eat and a pacifier is used instead of feeding the baby, this can cause the baby to be underfed and even become dehydrated. If you are sure the baby is fed, you can use a pacifier to help your baby calm down.
You may find that your birth hospital may not give you a pacifier and you have to supply it yourself. This is particularly true if the hospital is certified as a Baby Friendly Hospital, where it must be against hospital policy to provide pacifiers.
Pacifiers are generally acceptable and seldom interfere with breastfeeding or become addictive. Newborns suck as a means of self-comfort, and some babies have a higher need for sucking than others. Newborns tend to suck in such a way that they push out the pacifier; you can hold it in your baby’s mouth until she falls asleep.
Vitamins
Newborns do not usually need any additional vitamins. Breast milk and formula contain all a baby needs. There are two common exceptions.
It is recommended that breastfed babies take vitamin D every day starting at a few weeks old. The usual dose for babies is 400 IU per day. They come in drops for infants.
Breastfed babies who were born premature, including late preterm infants (35-36 weeks) should also take iron drops every day. Discuss the appropriate dose with your doctor.
Water & other things
Babies should not drink water, juice, or anything else for at least the first 6 months. Water and juice are dangerous to newborns and young infants. They should only drink breast milk or formula. Do not feed your baby any kind of milk such as cow’s or goat’s milk; they are not safe for infants. Honey is not safe before 12 months old; it can cause botulism. Do not add any cereal or baby food to your baby’s bottle.