Bottle feeding NEWBORNS
Bottle feeding your newborn can be tricky, because not only are they not used to it neither are you. No need to panic. If you’re only bottle-feeding your baby, you should obviously start right after birth.
As a first-time mom here are signs to look for that your baby is hungry. They cry, sucking on their hands, opening their mouth nuzzling against your breast. Every baby is different and yours will make sure to tell you the way they see fit.
TRICKS TO FEEDING YOUR NEWBORN
- Let baby know that it is milk time by stroking her cheek with your finger or the tip of the nipple.
- Tilt the bottle up to completely fill the nipple, to avoid colic.
- Not sure when your baby is full, watch for the signs, if your baby keeps falling asleep after drinking several ounces, or moves their mouth away from the bottle may mean they are full, try to burp them or play with their cheeks to make sure they just didn’t doze off for a little bit.
- Make sure you are using the right flow of the nipple. If you see your milk keeps leaking on the side of your baby’s face the nipple is way too big. If you see your baby sucking and sucking like it’s a workout it means the flow is too slow.
- Enjoy bonding with your baby as you are feeding them.
- Make sure to burp your baby after every 1/2 or 1 ounce of feeding. If your baby is very “colic” then do it more frequently to help every three to five minutes during feedings.
- Feeding takes a minimum of 20 minutes depending on your baby, so you might as well get comfortable. Support your little one’s head with the crook of your arm, prop her up at a 45-degree angle.
- After feeding your baby goes right back to bed.
- Don’t put your baby in the bassinet with blankets, covers, bottles, or toys.
- If you are feeding your baby formula stick to the instructions given when mixing it together.
- If your baby is allergic to the milk you will know right away. Their symptoms come right after feeding. Symptoms can range from wheezing to stomach upset to itchy, watery, or swollen eyes. Call your doctor.
HERE LIES THE BIG QUESTION, HOW MUCH MILK SHOULD YOU GIVE YOUR BABY AT EACH FEEDING?
When you leave the hospital the nurses should be able to tell you if your baby is drinking enough to start. Every baby is VERY different so this isn’t an answer that can be answered at 100% but the most common feedings are for the first week or so your baby will probably take about 1 or 2 ounces at each feeding (every 3 to 4 hours or on-demand). Then there are newborns that start at 3 or 4 ounces at each feeding (every 3 to 4 hours or on-demand). You will see with your baby. As you see your baby asking for more gradually up the ounces by 1 as the demand becomes greater
