1. Hunger of Demand
Demand feeding can be quite demanding at first. It's described as feeding your baby whenever they show signs or indicate that they are hungry. New mothers may feel like all they do is feed their infant in the first six weeks. This is an adjustment period for the new mom, the new baby and the entire family. It takes a baby these first six weeks to learn what their needs and wants are.
2. Signals and Signs
Even the tiniest babies show signs or indicate when they are hungry or demanding to be fed. New parents learn quickly to recognize the signals. Listen to hear a little sucking sound as they know they are ready to nurse, but just don't know where to find it. They may squirm, wiggle, seem unsettled or start sucking on their own little fists. These are the first signals, but when they are really hungry, they'll start crying and complaining loudly.
3. Breastfeeding on Demand
Breastfed babies are usually thought of as the "babies fed on demand." Nursing mothers need to be aware of the time between each feeding and how long the baby nurses. If the baby tends to sleep in long stretches of four or more hours during the first six weeks, the mother should consider waking the baby to nurse. Two reasons for this, the baby needs enough nourishment to grow and develop and the new mother needs to nurse often to keep her milk supply flowing.
4. Demand Feeding for Bottle-fed Babies
Babies that are on formula or bottle-fed can be "fed on demand" also. The first six weeks of the bottle-fed baby's new life are also about learning their needs and wants. Sometimes premature babies are not strong enough to nurse, so the mother uses a breast pump to extract the breast milk and it's transferred to a tiny bottle. Some babies cannot take breast milk, so formula is the choice for them. This gives the new dad a chance to feed and bond with his new baby.
5. Demand Feeding Will Settle Into a Schedule
The demand feeding will settle into a schedule that fits the needs of mother and baby. If your baby has been going longer between feedings and suddenly starts demanding to eat more often, this could indicate a growth spurt. Encourage your baby to nurse a few extra minutes or provide a bit more formula if bottle-fed. The baby was letting you know they need more to eat or maybe they were demanding it. Giving your baby what they need, when they need it, makes for a happier mother and baby. Enjoy these special moments to hold and feed your baby as it goes by all too quickly.
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