Newborn Feeding: A Complete Guide for New Parents

Feeding an infant is undoubtedly one of the most important tasks that need to be done. However, for inexperienced parents, feeding a newborn infant becomes the source of many questions concerning the frequency of feeding, the quantity of milk consumed by the baby, and its type.

Each baby’s needs and feeding schedule depend on their age, weight, rate of development, and preferences. Knowledge of newborn feeding can help the parent realize his child’s needs.

The following guide gives some useful information on a newborn infant’s feeding schedule, milk consumption, breastfeeding and formula feeding, feeding cues, nighttime feeding, and possible difficulties in a baby’s feeding.

How Often Should Babies Be Feed?

Being a newborn, a baby has a small stomach; thus, he should be fed rather frequently. During the first weeks after birth, the frequency of feeding for a breastfed baby is 8-12 times per day.

Formula-fed babies do not have to be fed as often as the breastfed ones since formula is digested more slowly. But the needs of each baby vary.

Rather than following any schedule, new parents should listen to their baby’s feeding cues.

Newborn babies can experience hunger:

• Every 2-3 hours
• More frequently during growth periods
• Quite often during certain hours of the day
• From time to time during the first weeks

Some newborn babies face the cluster feeding problem, and this means that they require several feedings during a shorter period of time. It is a frequent phenomenon among babies, especially at night.

How much milk does a newborn need?

The amount of milk that a newborn needs increases quickly at the very beginning of their life.

As newborn babies have a small stomach, they have smaller amounts of food at the very beginning and gradually increase them.

Breast-fed Babies

It is rather difficult to determine the amount of breast milk a baby consumes while being breastfed. The parents should not count the ounces but watch certain signs that will show that a baby feeds properly.

These signs include:

• Scheduled feeding
• Sounds of swallowing during feeding
• Satisfied baby after feeding
• Timely wetting and soiling of baby’s diaper
• Weight gain of a baby

There can also be differences in the amount of time taken by breastfed infants to be fed. One infant may consume food effectively in less time, whereas another infant may take a lot of time to feed.

Formula-fed Babies

The advantage of bottle feeding is the control of the amount of milk given by the parents. However, there can be variations in the amount consumed by the infant.

The infant usually starts with small quantities and increases the quantity gradually because of increasing growth capacity and nutritional requirements of the baby.

Force-feeding is not advisable as the infants stop consuming milk when they are full.

Factors that Can Influence the Quantity of Milk Consumed

Some factors that influence the amount consumed by an infant include:

• Age
• Birth weight
• Growth rate
• Meals (breast or formula)
• Growth spurt
• Illness
• Appetite

If there is any issue regarding the food consumption, weight gain, or dehydration of the infant, then a pediatrician must be contacted.

Breastfeeding a Newborn

Breast milk is specifically formulated by nature to cater to the needs of growth and development in babies. The breast milk changes throughout time to meet the evolving requirements of the growing baby.

For the first few days after delivery, the breasts secrete colostrum, which is an enriched initial secretion.

The composition of breast milk changes as per the needs of milk production.

Starting with Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding requires learning on the part of the parent and the child. Some babies latch immediately, while other babies require some additional effort.

Having the right position to breastfeed can assist in making the process much easier.

Common breastfeeding positions include:

• Cradle hold
• Cross-cradle hold
• Football hold
• Side-lying position

It is crucial to help your baby develop a comfortable and correct latch.

Signs of a Correct Latch

A good latch can help your baby effectively receive milk.

Signs include:

• The baby opens its mouth wide.
• The baby latches onto more than just the nipple.
• The baby swallows during breastfeeding.
• The baby remains calm while breastfeeding.
• There is no pain in feeding.

Tenderness may be experienced at the beginning of breastfeeding; however, extreme and persistent pain can suggest incorrect latching.

How Long Should a Newborn Feed at Each Session?

There is no fixed duration of breastfeeding sessions for all babies.

For some babies, feeding time may be short, and for others, it could be long. The duration of feeding does not necessarily imply how much milk the baby consumes.

Rather, parents can pay attention to:

• Observation of swallowing
• Feeding pattern
• Baby’s diaper output
• Growth of the baby
• Healthcare professional’s advice

Feeding Newborn with Formula

Infant formula is sufficient to meet all nutrition needs of babies when breastfeeding is not possible or when the families opt for formula feeding.

Some families exclusively formula-feed, while other families feed both ways – breast milk and formula.

Preparation of Formula Correctly

Formula must always be prepared following the instructions of the manufacturer and healthcare professionals.

Some important things to do while preparing the formula are:

• Wash hands before making bottles.
• Feeding equipment should be clean.
• Use the correct ratio of water to the formula.
• Do not add more powder or extra water.

Adding extra powder or diluting formula incorrectly may affect the nutritional balance.

Choice of Formula

There are many forms of baby formulas out there. It all depends on what each child needs.

One should always consult with a pediatrician concerning any change in formulas or choice of formulas.

Tips for Bottle Feeding

If you are feeding a baby via bottle, it is important to have the baby in a comfortable position, slightly upright.

Check for cues that indicate if the baby is:

• Hungry
• Eating
• Full
• Satisfied

Do not make babies drink all the bottle content as they control the amounts of food eaten and it differs with each meal.

Feeding Cues for Newborns

A way to determine if it is time to feed a newborn is based on observing feeding cues.

These cues come in a form of signals before the baby cries for food.

Hunger Cues

Early hunger cues include:

• Moving head from one side to another
• Opened mouth
• Licking of lips
• Tongue pushing out
• Hands moving towards the mouth
• Thumb sucking
• Rooting towards the nipple/bottle

It is very common among newborns to root. A baby who is hungry moves head towards touch on the cheek and opens the mouth.

Late Hunger Cues

Crying may also be considered as one of the later stages of hunger.

A very cranky baby might have problems latching on and nursing. Insofar as it is possible, consider taking the first signs of hunger into account.

When Babies Are Full

It is quite clear when babies are full.

Signals when babies are full may consist of:

• Swerving from the breast/bottle
• Closing the mouth
• Becoming relaxed with the hands
• Taking a break from sucking
• Being sleepy after the feed

Considering the hunger and fullness signals might be useful for responsive feeding.

How to Know if Your Newborn Is Getting Enough Milk

The primary concern of new parents is whether their baby has consumed sufficient amounts of milk.

As the exact milk intake cannot always be estimated, there are a number of signals parents should pay attention to.

Number of Diapers Wet/Dirty

Weight Gain

Behavior after Feeding

Night Feeding for Newborns

Babies require food intake at both day and night times.

In the initial weeks, babies have not started sleeping on a fixed routine for day and night.

How Frequently Do Babies Require Feeding at Night?

Newborns wake up now and then to consume food. Babies may feed more often during some phases.

Nighttime feeding might be tough for the parents since they have fewer hours for sleeping. Nevertheless, frequent feeding is typical during this period.

Advice to Make Night Feeding Easy

It is possible to make nighttime feeding easy for babies through preparation by their parents.

Some useful suggestions include:

• Keeping all the feeding items ready.
• Lighting up the place with soft light.
• Providing a good place for feeding.
• Changing the baby’s diaper if required.
• Making the nighttime contact calm and peaceful.
• Sharing responsibility wherever possible.

Common Newborn Feeding Problems

Various kinds of feeding issues arise in babies. It is possible to solve these feeding problems with help and guidance from an expert.

1. Problem in Latching
2. Pain in Nipples During Nursing
3. Regurgitation
4. Burping and Fussiness
5. Sleeping While Feeding
6. Refusal in Feeding

Final Thoughts

The issue of nourishing a baby can be truly terrifying at first.

Firstly, your baby will eat frequently within the first two weeks of life and will not have any routine schedule, or will go through periods of hunger.

It is also useful to know how to identify whether your baby is hungry or satiated depending on the method of feeding that you use: nursing, using bottles, pumping, or a combination of different methods of feeding.

Whatever the method of feeding may be, you will have to monitor the development, hydration, and overall health condition of your baby.

It is important to mention the fact that there is no need to be perfect while feeding your child.

Both you and your baby will need some time to get used to the process of feeding.

If you are worried about the amount of milk your baby consumes, your baby’s weight, breastfeeding problems, bottle-feeding issues, or other health conditions, it is better to discuss the matter with your pediatrician or another doctor.