Newborn Feeding Basics: A Simple Guide for Parents

Nourishment is one of the most crucial aspects of the new-born care. In the first few weeks, babies’ stomachs are small and require frequent feeds.

Newborn feeding basics involve identifying your baby’s feeding cues, having a flexible feeding schedule, setting up a feeding environment and knowing when to seek professional advice.

Babies feed at different rates.There are babies who eat fast, and there are babies who eat slower. The frequency of feeding also may differ from day to day. Don’t have a strict schedule and listen to your baby’s cues and feeding advice from your baby’s pediatrician or health care provider.

Your health care provider can explain what your baby needs if you are breastfeeding, bottle-feeding or a combination of both.

Understanding Newborn Feeding Basics

Most babies require very frequent feeding, both day and night. During this phase, babies will get the nutrients they need from breast milk or infant formula.

Breastfeeding mothers can use on-demand feeding to better respond to cues for feeding and promote milk supply. The frequency and amount of feeds are determined for formula fed babies according to their age, needs and healthcare professional’s advice.

A baby can exhibit symptoms of early hunger before crying.

Typical feeding requirements are:

• Hunger cues: responding to them.
• Offering feeds regularly
• Having a baby that is held well and feels comfortable.
• Giving proper rest periods at the feeding times
• Burping when needed
• Look for cues to see if baby is full
• Keeping an eye on wet and soiled diapers
• Providing advice about feeding and weight gain at health visits

Call your health care provider if you think that your baby isn’t learning to breastfeed well or isn’t getting the weight gain you want.

Creating a Flexible Feeding Routine

A new baby feeding schedule should be flexible and not rigidly set.

The feeding schedule may vary from day to day in newborns. Frequent feedings may occur during growth spurts, when babies are sleepy, sick or have special needs.

Do not force your baby to take food at a specific time – listen to the signs of hunger.

A flexible routine may look like:

Your health care provider will be able to determine if your baby’s feeding frequency and amount is suitable for his/her age and situation.

Try not to “schedule” feeds on purpose to accommodate a specific feeding plan.

Preparing for Feeding Time

Preparing your feeding supplies prior to the feeding can make feeding easier, particularly at night.

If breastfeeding Consider:

• Comfortable seating
• Burp cloths
• If necessary, nursing support will be available.
• Water for yourself
• A clean cloth or towel

If you are using formula, follow the directions for preparing and storing it from your health care provider and the directions on the formula label.

Ensure feed equipment remains clean and handling of feed is safe.

Wash hands and ensure baby is comfy before feeding.

Select a position, which supports your baby’s head and neck, and in which the baby’s face is not obscured.

While feeding, pay attention to your baby, do not use a phone, TV or other distraction.

Newborn Feeding Cues

Knowing your baby’s feeding signals is one of the critical aspects of the newborn feeding basics.

Some signs of hunger can be:

• Bringing the head to the breast or to the bottle
• Opening the mouth
• Eating with hands.
• Sucking on fingers
• Making small movements
• Becoming more alert
• Turning towards a touch to the cheek
• Later hunger cues include crying.
• Earlier cues will help to feed your baby in a calm manner as he/she hasn’t gotten very upset.

There are also cues which babies give that they are feeling full. They could appear to get tired or fall asleep, relax their hands, turn away, or stop sucking.

Never try to get a baby to eat more than they want. Follow your healthcare professional’s advice on how much to feed, especially formula.

For evidence-based guidance, parents can use the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) resources on newborn feeding. The CDC covers breastfeeding frequency, hunger cues, signs that a newborn is getting enough milk, and infant formula feeding.

Keeping Feeding Time Comfortable

A relaxed atmosphere may make mealtimes easier for you and your baby.

Sit in a quiet space where it will be comfortable for you. Hold both arms and back up if necessary.

A lactation professional is available to assist you in finding a position that is comfortable and will alleviate any concerns about latching or milk supply during breastfeeding time.

Hold your baby securely when giving them the bottle and ensure it is held securely. Never prop a bottle or leave your baby unattended while he or she is drinking from a bottle.

Monitor your baby for the whole feeding period

If your baby is coughing a lot, choking, having trouble eating, is very tired while feeding, or not feeding well, reach out to your healthcare professional.

Your baby might require holding up or burping after feeding, depending on their requirements.

Organizing Feeding Essentials

Having all feeding supplies in order can help to alleviate stress especially when you’re caring for your newborn baby at night.

A basic feeding area may include:

Storage supplies  Used when milk is required to be stored safely

Only buy the equipment that you actually need.

For bottles, wash and sanitize them following current best practices and manufacturer recommendations. But don’t think that all bottles, nipples, warmers and feeding trays have to be used.

Follow the proper storage and handling procedures for expressed breast milk or prepared formula.

Common Newborn Feeding Mistakes

Wait until baby cries to respond.

Crying may also be a later signal for hunger. It will be easier to feed if the child has learned the previous cues.

It is important to adhere to a Strict Schedule.

Newborn’s nutritional requirements may vary. It might not be suitable for all babies to follow a tight routine.

Feeding the Baby to completion.

Listen to cues of your baby’s fullness.

Propping a Bottle

Never leave bottle in your baby’s mouth. Feed with your baby while you are sitting together.

Ways to divert attention from feeding

Pay attention to your baby, so you can identify feeding difficulties or shifts in your baby’s behavior.

Preparing Formula Incorrectly

Use the formula manufacturer’s directions and health care provider’s recommendations. Never adjust the percentage of formula.

Ignoring Feeding Difficulties

If sucking and swallowing is an issue or if the baby chokes or vomits often, or fails to gain weight, talk to a health care provider.

Comparing Your Baby With Other

Babies all feed in different ways. Your baby’s health care providers can help you determine if your baby’s pattern is normal.

When to Ask a Healthcare Professional

Parents should reach out to their baby’s pediatrician or health care provider if they are concerned about feeding, weight gain, any hydration or overall behavior.

If your baby:

• Has trouble latching or sucking
• Frequently coughs or chokes during feeds
• Refuses several feeds
• Vomits repeatedly
• Is unusually sleepy when feeding
• Has fewer wet diapers than usual
• Not gaining weight as a goal was set
• Appears to be hungry after eating
• Has difficulty swallowing
• Looks thirsty and drinks more water than usual

Newborns are susceptible to becoming ill rapidly and concerns over feeding should not be ignored.

If your newborn has trouble breathing, is very hard to wake, gets a seizure or has other symptoms of a medical problem, seek urgent medical attention.

Besides, it’s a great idea to use frequent checkups with the baby to have a conversation about feeding, weight, diaper output, breastfeeding or formula questions.

Final Takeaway

The main rule with newborn feeding is to follow your baby’s cues as opposed to a strict feeding schedule. Recognize early signs and signals of hunger, create a comfortable feeding environment, practice proper feeding procedures, and listen to your baby.

Whether breastfeeding, formula feeding or combination feeding, there may be questions, especially in the first few weeks. Your baby’s pediatrician, healthcare provider or qualified lactation professional will be able to advise you on your baby’s specific requirements.

It is not necessary to establish an ideal feeding schedule. It is to ensure that your newborn is safely fed, comfortably fed and fed the right way until you are able to determine what you and your family will do.