For the first four months of your baby’s life, baby’s digestive tract is still developing and his food will consist of breast milk or formula only. During this time, it’s natural for new moms to worry about how frequently their baby should be fed and whether their newborn is getting enough food. They may compare feeding schedules with other new moms and find that their baby is on a very different schedule, and this is because there is no definitive ‘normal’ amount of food and number of feedings for every baby.
Babies have small stomachs, so frequent feedings are necessary to ensure they are getting the nutrition they need to thrive. Health Canada recommends that you feed your baby whenever he shows signs of hunger, such as: irritability or crying; sucking, rooting — turning his head to the person holding him, usually with his mouth open — or licking; or hand to mouth activity.1 During your baby’s first month you will typically feed him every two to three hours, including nightly feedings, or eight to twelve times in twenty-four hours.2 Older babies usually feed less frequently but it is different for each baby. In month two, your baby will generally feed eight or nine times a day, with this decreasing to seven or eight times a day in the third month.3 Watch for your baby’s cues though, rather than counting feedings. “Demand feeding,” as your health care provider may describe it, or feeding according to your baby’s cues is more important than letting the clock guide feeding times.4 Some babies will feed when they want reassurance or are hungry, while others will feed only when hungry.
This varies with the baby’s age and the style of feeding: nursing or bottle-feeding. Let your baby set the pace; however, general guidelines are useful to know. When nursing, it may take between twenty to thirty minutes to complete a feed.5 When bottle-feeding, the flow rate of formula coming out of the nipple should be about one drop per second for the first couple of months, and you can test flow rate by holding the bottle upside down.6 Most packages will label the flow rate according to your baby’s age.
Your baby will let you know that he has had enough when his sucking slows, or by turning his head away or falling asleep. If you are nursing, your breasts are also good indicators, as they will typically feel softer when feeding is complete since the milk that was making them firm is depleted. Although you should follow your baby’s lead, most babies that bottle-feed start out drinking about two to four ounces.7 In month two, they will typically drink from four ounces, increasing this as they grow until they drink six to eight ounces per feed.8 Stop feeding when your baby shows signs of fullness, rather than when the bottle has been completed.
Breastfeeding: Your baby should not have to strain forward, and you should not have to lean in to your baby. Your baby’s lips should be flared around your breast and you will usually be able to hear him swallowing. Although your nipples may be sensitive, breastfeeding should not be painful. It may be challenging, however, especially during the first six months. Some moms experience cracked nipples, which can be quite painful and are usually caused by the incorrect positioning of baby during feeding. Others may experience mastitis, an inflammation of the breast tissue. Symptoms may be flu-like and include breast tenderness or swelling, and/or a burning sensation or pain when nursing. Disheartening as this can be, don’t give up. There are steps you can take to improve things, and breastfeeding is one of the most rewarding experiences you will share with your baby. In the case of cracked nipples changing position slightly can help, as can shorter but more frequent nursing. A lactation consultant can also show you correct breastfeeding positioning and technique. Your doctor can recommend treatment for mastitis, which may involve antibiotics. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends breastfeeding your baby exclusively until he is 6 months of age, and then nursing to complement your baby’s diet for up to two years of age or beyond.9
Bottle-feeding: Hold the bottle at an angle so the artificial nipple is in your baby’s mouth and the formula fills the nipple. Your baby should suck and swallow easily. If there is coughing or gagging, the formula or breast milk may be coming out of the bottle too fast or too slow. Don’t rush feeding. Take little breaks to give your baby a chance to let you know when he has had enough.
In either feeding method, hold your baby still and close while feeding him, with his back and neck straight. It is normal for a baby to bring up a little breast milk or formula during or after a feeding. Burp your baby after each feed or, if your baby has a lot of gas, burp your baby part way through the feed, e.g., when he changes breast or during a short rest from the bottle.
Printer-friendly version