Newborn Feeding

Guide To Feeding Infants

Feeding Your Newborn: An Overview

Choosing a method of feeding your newborn baby and knowing how to do it can often be a daunting, pressure-filled experience. But the good news is that feeding your newborn eventually will be an enjoyable, heartwarming experience. In fact, regardless of whether you decide to breastfeed or feed your baby formula, this will be one of the first experiences that you share with your baby.

When first deciding how you will feed your newborn baby, there are a few important questions to ask:

What I am going to feed him? Breast or bottle milk?
Once I decide what to feed him, how do I do it?

What Am I Going to Feed My Baby?

The American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) recommends that babies be breastfed exclusively for the first six months of life. This is mainly because breast milk contains naturally protective antibodies that help strengthen your baby's immune system and contains the exact nutritional needs for your baby.

Breastfeeding is emotionally rewarding, loaded with health benefits for mom and her baby, as well as also being quite cost-effective. So why doesn't everyone do it? It is simply not for everyone. For a multitude of reasons, from physical to personal choice, some moms may need to consider other options for feeding their newborn.

Feeding your baby formula is a nutritious alternative to breastfeeding. It, too, has many benefits that are often overlooked. Healthcare professionals often advocate breastfeeding as the best way to feed a baby, which unfortunately tends to portray baby formula as "not as good." However, formula is an equally healthy way to feed your baby.

(Click Breastfeeding vs. Formula Feeding to learn more about the benefits and drawbacks of these two newborn feeding options.)

How to Feed a Newborn Baby: The Basics

Once you have decided what you are going to feed your newborn, the next step is to figure out how to feed her. Each feeding session has a few of the same basic steps, whether you have chosen to breastfeed or bottle-feed.

The steps you choose can vary, but the overall idea is the same. And remember -- establishing a good routine early will make all the future feedings easier and more comfortable for both of you.

The following is a guideline for feeding a newborn baby:

Wash your hands.
If you are feeding your baby formula, prepare the bottle to be served lukewarm. Test the temperature every time on the inside of your forearm.
Get comfortable. A comfy chair with good lower-back support is ideal.
Cradle your baby in the crook of your arm so that his head is supported and slightly elevated. Sometimes using a firm pillow across your lap or under your arm can help.
When you hold your newborn to feed, your face is typically about 10 inches away, which is perfect for her to get an idea of how you look, smell, and sound. This basic sensory knowledge will be your baby's guide for the next few weeks.
If you are giving your baby formula, present him with the bottle. If you are breastfeeding, offer your breast to your baby.
The amount of time that it will take a baby to complete a feeding varies from baby to baby and even from feeding to feeding. When your baby stops sucking or turns away from the nipple, it may be a sign that she is full. It can also be a sign that she just needs to rest for a moment or two.
After a few minutes, try offering the bottle or your breast again. If the baby refuses it again, he may be done. If not, keep going.
Burping your baby can be done during and at the end of each feeding session. It can be done as often as you feel your baby needs.
To burp your baby, hold him or her upright against your chest. Pat the baby's back with the palm of your hand or your closed hand until you get a good solid burp. Beware -- sometimes the burp is accompanied by spit-up. Have a burp cloth on hand for each session.

Be prepared to go through this process at least 8 to 12 times per day with your newborn baby. Follow your baby's feeding cues closely to know when it is time to start the process again.

(Click Newborn Feeding Schedule for a typical schedule on how much and how often to feed your baby.)

Final Thoughts

Feeding your newborn can be a wonderful bonding experience. Creating the right atmosphere can make each feeding a warm and comforting experience for your baby. Knowing how to feed your newborn comes easily for some, but not for everyone. Relax, it will come -- yes, it may be frustrating at first, but in time, you will both get into a rhythm that works for you as a team.