Newborn babies usually eat every 2 to 3 hours, according to KidsHealth. Feed your baby whenever he seems hungry, and as he gets older, he will take less feedings each day, explains MayoClinic.com. Breastfed babies often get hungry faster than formula-fed infants because breast milk is easier to digest. Watch your baby for signs that he is hungry, such as crying or putting his fingers in his mouth. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about feeding your baby or his overall health and nutritional needs.
Breastfeeding
Step 1
Hold your baby against your chest, turning her whole body toward yours. Support her head with the hand opposite your breast and cup your breast with your other hand. Alternatively, you can use a pillow to support your newborn or cup your breast with the hand opposite your breast and slide your other arm under your baby's body.
Step 2
Bring your nipple to your baby's upper lip and pull him toward your breast as he opens his mouth, encouraging him to latch on to as much of the areola as possible, recommends BabyCenter.
Step 3
Press your finger between your breast and your infant's gums if you need to break the suction because it is painful, you need to switch breasts or your baby is not latched on properly.
Step 4
Listen for rhythmic sucking and swallowing sounds that indicate your baby is drinking properly, recommends Mayo Clinic.
Step 5
Allow your baby to nurse for 15 to 20 minutes or until your breast feels soft.
Step 6
Drape a burping cloth over your shoulder and hold your baby with her head against your shoulder and gently pat her back for several minutes to encourage her to burp before switching breasts.
Step 7
Help your baby latch on to your other breast. Allow him to drink until he is full and burp him again.
Bottle Feeding
Step 1
Hold your baby at a 45-degree angle to help prevent her from taking in too much air, recommends BabyCenter.
Step 2
Tilt the bottle upward so that the milk fills the entire nipple.
Step 3
Listen to your baby's suckling sounds. His sucking noises should be quiet. Loud slurping means he is sucking in too much air with the milk, according to BabyCenter.
Step 4
Burp your newborn after he drinks a full ounce of formula or breast milk from a bottle, recommends KidsHealth. Hold her upright against your shoulder and gently tap the middle of her back.
Step 5
Return to feeding your baby if she does not burp after two to three minutes and allow her to eat until she breaks suction on the bottle nipple or stops sucking.
Tips and Warnings
- Avoid using pacifiers and bottles for the first two months of life if you want to breastfeed your baby to avoid nipple confusion. Talk to your doctor or a lactation consultant if you have trouble with breastfeeding or if your nipples or breasts get sore or engorged. Tie a ribbon or string around the bra strap on the side where your baby last nursed so that you know to start with the opposite breast the next time you feed your baby.
- Do not store bottles in the refrigerator for more than 24 hours and discard room temperature milk after one hour. Do not heat your baby's bottles in the microwave. This can lead to uneven heating and the milk or formula could burn your baby. Heat the bottle in a pan of hot water or hold it under hot running tap water if your baby prefers warm milk.
Things You'll Need
- Pillow (optional)
- Burping cloth
- Tissue
- Bottles (optional)
- Nipples (optional)
- Ribbon or string (optional)
