Feeding your newborn is a great opportunity to bond with your baby, and you
should try to enjoy every mealtime. For the first few months, you should be
feeding your baby infant formula or breast milk only, and do not give any solid
food. This is the best nutrition for the newborn infant.
Making sure that feeding is enjoyable for you and the baby is important. Pick
a comfortable place to sit and relax with the baby while you breastfeed or use a
bottle. Be sure that you are holding your bottle-fed baby propped in your arms.
Feeding is a time to hold and enjoy your infant and the interaction of feeding.
Breastfeeding moms might want to have a cup of water handy and a pillow on
their laps to make positioning easy. Newborns feed frequently, and this is
normal. Remember that breastfeeding is comfort as well as food, so feeding often
is OK for settling a baby that has already fed. It is difficult to overfeed a
breastfed baby.
Here are some tips on feeding your baby:
Positioning
If you are bottle-feeding, hold your baby and talk to him or her. Do not lay
your baby down and prop the bottle in position. Infants need to be held and
cuddled during feeding and should never be left propped with a bottle.
Breastfed babies can be held in your lap or in the "football" hold,
with the baby’s legs at your side, perhaps on a pillow. Many breastfeeding
mothers like feeding in bed with the infant rolled towards you.
Burping
Your baby will probably swallow some air while feeding. This could cause him
or her to spit up or become fussy, so it is important to burp your child after
every feeding. To burp your baby, sit him or her up on your lap or hold him or
her against your chest or shoulder, and pat gently on the back. Breastfed babies
might also need burping. Each baby, whether breast- or bottle-fed, is different.
You will, with time, learn to recognize your own infant’s needs.
How do I know my baby is eating enough?
If your baby is wetting lots of diapers with dilute urine, then your infant
is likely getting enough to eat. Regular check-ups will help determine if your
baby is eating enough because his or her weight will be checked at each visit.
If your baby is not gaining the proper weight, you might need to increase the
amount of formula or to breastfeed more often. The more you nurse, the more milk
you will make. Breastfed infants often nurse every 2 to 2 ½ hours in the first
weeks. If you have any concern at all, contact your doctor so that your baby
does not run the risk of becoming dehydrated.
As your baby grows, you might have some concerns about what to feed him or her
at certain stages of life. Every baby develops differently, so consult your
child's doctor before starting your baby on solid foods.
When can I give my baby solid food?
Solid foods are usually introduced into a baby’s diet between four and five
months, depending on what your child's doctor says. If you start your baby on
solid foods too early, he or she has a greater chance of developing a food
allergy and might not grow as well.
When it is time to start solids:
- Give your baby one solid food at a time for a few days to help
determine if he or she is allergic to any of the foods.
- Start your baby on iron-fortified infant cereal, and then slowly add fruits, vegetables, and meats.
- Feed your baby small amounts of food at first. Start with just
a teaspoon and build from there.
- Prepare mashed foods such as sweet potatoes, applesauce,
carrots, bananas, and peaches. It is always best to give your baby a variety
of foods so he or she gets the proper nutrients.
What foods should I avoid giving my baby?
Until your baby is 1 year old, it is best to avoid certain foods. Some of
these foods include: honey, whole eggs, nuts, shellfish, plain cow’s milk, and
foods with seeds.
How do I know when my baby is full?
You will know if your baby is full if he or she turns away from the food or
spits it back out.
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 1/15/2007...#12261
