Feeding Your Newborn: Breastfeeding, Bottle Feeding, and Starting Solids
A Guide to Nourishing Your Baby from Day One to Solid Foods
Providing proper nutrition for your newborn is one of the most important things you can do to support healthy growth and development. Whether you choose to breastfeed, use formula, or are preparing to introduce solid foods, understanding the basics can help you feel more confident in meeting your baby's needs.
Breastfeeding: Nourishing Your Baby Naturally
Breastfeeding offers numerous benefits for both babies and mothers. In the first few weeks, aim for 8-12 (or more) nursing sessions within a 24-hour period. Because milk production is based on supply and demand, frequent nursing helps build and maintain your supply.
Watch for Hunger Cues:
Crying is a late sign of hunger. Instead, look for these early signs:
- Lip smacking
- Rooting (turning head side to side)
- Making sucking motions
- Bringing hand to mouth
During the day, your baby should feed every 2-3 hours and no longer than 4 hours at night without a feeding. As your baby establishes a routine and your milk supply is set, feeding on demand—whether during the day or at night—can help maintain your supply.
Vitamin D Supplement:
Breastfed babies need a Vitamin D supplement. Discuss the appropriate dosage with your healthcare provider, and consider options like
D-Vi-Sol or Baby D Drops.
Breastfeeding Benefits:
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends breastfeeding as the best source of nutrition for your baby. Breastfeeding is safe and can be continued for as long as both mother and baby desire it. Breast milk is uniquely designed to meet the nutritional needs of your baby and promote healthy growth and development. Breastfeeding has benefits for mom as well, including quicker recovery and reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
Bottle/Formula Feeding: Meeting Your Baby’s Nutritional Needs
If you choose to formula feed, your newborn may only take 1-2 ounces per feeding in the first 24-48 hours. Over the next few days, this amount will likely increase to 2-3 ounces every 3-4 hours.
Tips for Successful Formula Feeding:
- Wake your baby every 2-3 hours during the day to encourage feeding.
- This schedule helps your baby differentiate between day and night.
- Monitor for 4 or more wet/dirty diapers daily to ensure they are getting enough nutrition.
If your baby is not waking to feed, feeding poorly, or showing signs of low weight gain or reduced diaper output, please reach out to us for guidance.
Starting Solid Foods: When Is the Right Time?
We will discuss starting solids (baby food) when your baby is developmentally ready. This is generally around 6 months of age, but may be earlier for some babies. Many breastfeeding moms choose to wait until baby is 6 months to start solids.
Understanding Your Baby’s Bowel Movements
There is a wide range of "normal" when it comes to newborn stools. Babies may have a bowel movement after every feeding or as infrequently as once every three days.
When to Worry:
- Your baby goes more than 48-72 hours without a stool and is not eating well.
- Stools are hard or difficult to pass.
- If your baby appears fussy and you suspect intolerance, bring a stool sample to our office for testing.
We're Here to Help: Reach Out with Any Questions
We know that feeding your newborn can bring up a lot of questions and concerns. Whether you're navigating breastfeeding challenges, wondering about formula options, or preparing to introduce solid foods, we're here to support you.
If you have any concerns about your baby's feeding habits, weight gain, or bowel movements, please don't hesitate to contact our office. We're dedicated to helping you provide the best care for your little one and ensuring your baby thrives!
