Feeding Facts

Choosing the method of feeding your baby is a decision that you make on your own. Do not listen to other people who are trying to talk you into breast or bottle-feeding using guilt as a motivator. Your baby needs food and whichever method you choose to give her, she will get the nutrition that she needs. The cuddling and bonding that you do during the feeding is the most important thing.

Breast milk is a complete and perfect food for your baby, but if you choose to feed your baby formula you are not harming her and you are are not a bad mom. Most pediatricians prefer breastfeeding, but there are women who are unable to breastfeed or are unable to feed their baby as often as they are told is necessary.

Parents feed their babies on a flexible routine of every two to three hours using the method of parent-directed feeding (PDF). Crying is seen as a late hunger cue, so don't use it as your primary cue that your child is hungry. Some newborns can go as much as six hours between feedings, which is inadequate for their nutrition. This is why waiting for your baby to cry may lead to an undernourished baby who will not thrive. Another thing to remember is that undernourished babies may lack the energy to cry and the cycle then goes on and on.

How can you breastfeed using the PDF method? You establish the routine. Most of the time, newborns can go 2 1/2 to 3 hours between feedings. This time starts from the beginning of one feeding to the beginning of the next feeding. Allow the baby to latch on properly and allow the baby to nurse. Your child will get foremilk, watery thin milk with vitamins and minerals, first.

While your baby drinks the foremilk, you will experience letdown where your glands will release the rest of the milk that is stored. At times, this is tingly or painful, but many moms have no sensation. The rest of the milk is known as hindmilk that is rich and full of fat and nutrients. To best way to determine whether you have achieved letdown, is that your baby will be consistently and rhythmically swallowing. After your milk comes in, most moms can breastfeed for fifteen minutes on each breast, which will allow your baby to receive the hindmilk that she needs to grow!

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