Feeding your new child: Recommendations for new parents

A newborn’s feeding pattern can be unpredictable. Here’s what, when and how to feed your child.

By Mayo Clinic Team

Feeding a new child is a spherical-the-clock dedication. It can be also an possibility to start out forming a bond with the newest member of your relatives. Contemplate these strategies for feeding a new child.

one. Adhere with breast milk or formulation

Breast milk is the great foodstuff for toddlers — with rare exceptions. If breast-feeding is just not possible, use infant formulation. Nutritious newborns don’t want cereal, drinking water, juice or other fluids.

2. Feed your new child on cue

Most newborns want eight to 12 feedings a day — about just one feeding just about every two to 3 hours.

Glance for early signals of readiness to feed, these as going the arms to the mouth, sucking on fists and fingers, and lip smacking. Fussing and crying are later on cues. The sooner you start out every single feeding, the considerably less likely you are going to want to soothe a frantic child.

When your child stops suckling, closes his or her mouth, or turns away from the nipple or bottle, he or she could possibly be comprehensive — or simply just using a split. Attempt burping your child or ready a moment ahead of offering your breast or the bottle once more.

As your child will get older, he or she might choose in more milk in considerably less time at every single feeding.

three. Contemplate vitamin D supplements

Talk to your baby’s health care provider about vitamin D supplements for the child, specially if you’re breast-feeding. Breast milk could possibly not offer more than enough vitamin D, which can help your child absorb calcium and phosphorus — vitamins and minerals necessary for strong bones.

4. Anticipate variations in your newborn’s having designs

Your new child is not going to always try to eat the identical total just about every day. Throughout growth spurts — often at two to 3 weeks right after delivery — your new child could possibly choose more at every single feeding or want to be fed more often. Reply to early signals of starvation, instead than trying to keep a strict eye on the clock.

five. Belief your instincts — and your newborn’s

You could possibly be concerned that your new child is just not having more than enough, but toddlers normally know just how significantly they want. You should not focus on how significantly, how often or how frequently your new child eats. Rather, look for:

  • Steady fat get
  • Contentment in between feedings
  • By the fifth day right after delivery, at minimum 6 soaked diapers and 3 or more bowel actions a day

Contact the health care provider if your new child is just not attaining fat, wets much less than 6 diapers a day or demonstrates minimal interest in feedings.

six. Contemplate every single feeding a time to bond with your new child

Keep your new child shut during every single feeding. Glance him or her in the eye. Discuss with a mild voice. Use every single feeding as an possibility to make your newborn’s sense of security, belief and convenience.

7. Preserve feedings regular

If other relatives customers or caretakers will be feeding your child section of the time, make confident they are making use of the identical feeding routines and approaches you use.

eight. Know when to check with for help

If you’re possessing difficulties breast-feeding, check with a lactation advisor or your baby’s health care provider for help — specially if just about every feeding is painful or your child is just not attaining fat. If you have not worked with a lactation advisor, check with your baby’s health care provider for a referral or examine with the obstetrics office at a local clinic.