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 feeding 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 breastmilk 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 breastmilk. There are a variety of artificial formula brands and types available; these are covered in chapter 6.
All that your baby needs is breastmilk 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.
Healthy babies on formula do not usually need any additional vitamins; your doctor will tell you if any vitamin is needed. It is recommended that breastfed babies take 400 I.U. of vitamin D every day, starting within a week or two of birth. This is somewhat controversial, and some doctors do not feel that this is always necessary. You can read more about it in chapter 5.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.