Are you having questions about feeding your newborn? This is a great guide for your baby to have a great start.
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Bringing a new baby home is a joyous experience. With it comes caring for a new life with all its challenges and responsibilities. Little human bodies have fast-paced needs, and caring for them is exhausting in the first months of life (so hang it tight! It gets better!). That is why knowing what to do and why you are doing it is so important for your journey as a new parent (or the parent of another child – who will be different from all the others you have raised!)
As parents, we worry that our precious bundles are receiving proper nutrition to thrive and grow. Feeding your newborn goes beyond simply providing sustenance; it’s a precious time to strengthen the bond between parents and child while promoting a healthy development.
You might also like to read our post about Breastfeeding Diet Menu: Nourishing Your Journey, Tips for Successful Breastfeeding: 9 Secrets Every Mother Should Know, and Feeding Bottle for Baby: Which One is the Best?
In this guide, we will explain the most essential aspects of feeding your newborn with confidence and love.
1. Feeding your newborn through Breastfeeding: the perfect source of nourishment for infants
Have you ever heard breast milk is called “liquid gold”? That is because it is perfectly created to meet your baby’s nutritional needs. Breastmilk is always available when needed, does not need to be warmed up, and comes with antibodies that are specific to your child. These antibodies help fight infections and provide passive immunity for life.
Breastfeeding enables a profound emotional connection between mother and child. Through skin-to-skin contact, they also share eye contact. It is a beautiful way to foster a sense of security and love, being a great foundation for a strong mother-child bond.
As soon as my daughter was born, I saw 2 lactation consultants by my side wanting to help me with the “perfect latch”. The way a baby sucks a mother’s nipple is called a latch. The so-called “ perfect latch” happens when the baby’s mouth is wide open around the breast, not just the nipple. It helps when the baby’s chest and belly are resting on the mommy’s body, and he/she can look straight at the mommy’s breast, not with the head turned sideways.
Don’t feel bad if your milk does not immediately “come down” after birth. Successful breastfeeding happens when the mother feels safe and is free from distractions, in a comfortable and quiet place. My milk only “came down” when I felt safe at home, 3 days after my daughter’s birth at a hospital.
Breastmilk can be expressed using a breast pump (manual or electric) and stored in the fridge. This breast pump is loved by many mothers. When bottles are used to feed baby, it might allow the other parent to participate in each feeding session while holding the baby and the bottle.
Seek guidance from a local lactation consultant if you encounter any challenges. Medical professionals are trained and are there to offer support when needed.
2. Feeding Your Newborn Formula: A Nutritious Alternative
During those 3 days of my hospital stay after delivery, I chose to give my daughter a soy-based formula. I also brought some of those little bottles home and used them for times when I had doctor’s appointments and could not be home to breastfeed. While breastfeeding is very practical, we must respect the journey and decisions of each mother on how to feed her baby. Some parents nowadays may need to use formulas because of their work schedule, difficulties with breastfeeding, or just the reality of life.
Thankfully, modern infant formulas mimic closely the nutritional composition of breast milk. Formulas usually have higher amounts of vitamin D than mother’s milk, for example. While breastfed babies are recommended to supplement vitamin D, parents of babies on formulas don’t have to worry about that.
Because Formula feeding is done with a bottle, it allows for the other parent’s more regular participation. Creating a calm and quiet feeding environment is always important while holding the baby close for skin-to-skin contact, as much as possible.
Always follow the packaging instructions when preparing formula milk.
Whether you end up formula feeding or breastfeeding, it is crucial to respond to the baby’s hunger cues promptly. By “reading” your baby’s needs well and providing what he/she needs at the right time, you are giving him/her the first assurance of love, building a sense of trust, and security, which are solid foundations for his/her emotional health. Try not to wait for your baby to be crying to feed him/her. Check for earlier signs such as opening mouth and trying to suck on hands or things around him/her.
3. Establishing a Feeding Routine
Newborns thrive on routine, so establishing a consistent feeding schedule helps regulate their internal clock. Babies need to be fed whenever they show hunger cues (rooting or sucking on their hands). Soon you will know your baby like no one else, and you will differentiate between a pain/discomfort cry and a hunger cry.
A good goal is to have at least 8 to 12 feedings a day (in 24 hours) during the first few weeks. This means feeding every 2 to 3 hours in the beginning. These frequent feedings in the beginning help increase a mother’s milk supply and the baby to have more efficient sucking and swallowing.
Having a routine for feedings not only ensures your baby is receiving adequate nutrition to thrive but also provides a sense of predictability, promoting a feeling of security. Be patient and responsive during feedings, allowing your baby to feed at his/her own pace. Remember, every baby is unique, so observe and adapt to their individual needs.
4. Bonding Beyond the Bottle
Feeding time is an excellent opportunity to strengthen the bond with your newborn beyond the act of nourishment. Talk to your baby, sing lullabies, and maintain eye contact during feedings. This not only enhances their cognitive development but also creates a warm and loving environment.
Make sure the feeding times are calm, as much as possible so the baby has good digestion. The “rest and digest” system in our human bodies, also known as the parasympathetic nervous system, is only in control when we are calm. If you are stressed out, your milk will make your baby stressed and give him/her digestive problems.
Consider involving your partner or other family members in feeding sessions to share the joy and responsibility. The more your newborn experiences the love and care of different family members, the richer their emotional development will be.
Conclusion
This post was all about feeding your newborn. It is a multifaceted experience that goes beyond meeting his/her nutritional needs. It’s a precious time to forge a deep, emotional connection while ensuring their physical well-being. Whether breastfeeding or formula feeding, the key is approaching each feeding session with patience, love, and attentiveness. As you navigate this beautiful journey of parenthood, remember that each moment spent nourishing your baby is an investment in a lifetime of love and connection. Try to enjoy each feeding, because this fast-paced season and newborn phase passes quickly. Good luck!
DISCLAIMER: This post is not sponsored by the products shown and talked about in this post. We mentioned them here because these products were used and were extremely helpful while parenting little ones. We hope they can help you with your journey as well! The links for the products mentioned above are Amazon affiliate links, and if you use them we will earn a commission by Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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