The Ultimate Guide To Feeding Your Baby: How Often Is Enough?

Are You Worried About How Much To Feed Your Baby?

Congratulations to you and your family on the arrival of the little one! As a new parent, you might feel overwhelmed about the best ways to nurture your baby. Especially if you are a first-time parent, then the concepts of breastfeeding and infant nutrition may not be very clear in the beginning.

From the time the umbilical cord is cut until your child is old enough to express his hunger, the entire responsibility for the child’s nutrition is taken on by the parents and the caregivers. Parents need to be aware of the best practices in breastfeeding, formula powders, on-demand and scheduled feeds, and cluster feeding to make the journey successful and smooth.

Breastfeeding: How To Get Started

Studies suggest breastfeeding your newborn within the first hour of childbirth. The first hour following childbirth is magical; the hormones that create milk start to function. Your infant will start to "breast crawl" towards your nipple because it knows instinctively where food is. The first production by the breasts is known as “colostrum,” which is premature milk rich in all the essential nutrients that are required to build your newborn’s immunity. Doctors advise mother’s milk as the only form of nutrition for the newborn up to 6 months.

Breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast cancer, increases birth spacing, and may also lower the risk of ovarian cancer and diabetes in women.

Formula Feeding: What You Need To Know

Commercial infant formulas are a healthy substitute for breast milk and even include certain vitamins and nutrients. This supplement is produced in sterile environments and mimics mother's milk by combining an array of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and vitamins that are impossible to make at home. Formula feeding comes into the picture due to certain breastfeeding challenges like latching-on pain, hectic work schedules, and for mothers who are on medication for any long-term illness.

Formula feeding isn’t natural in the first year of your baby’s life and has its side effects. The baby may develop ear issues, childhood asthma, and juvenile diabetes due to persistent formula feeding.

Scheduled Feeding Vs. On-Demand Feeding

Following your baby's cues for when and how much to feed is known as "on-demand nursing," sometimes referred to as cue-based, baby-led, or "responsive" breastfeeding. It is preferable to feed your newborn on demand initially. When their body needs calories and nutrients for growth and development, they become hungry.

Depending on the infant, each feeding can last anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes per breast. They feed for about 1 to 3 hours in a day. Scheduled feeding is the disruption of this natural cycle by establishing set feeding times throughout the day. Some women may experience unfavourable side effects from scheduled feedings, such as an increased risk of clogged ducts, painful engorgement of the breasts, and ultimately poor milk supply.

Concept Of Cluster Feeding

Some infants cluster feed, which means they eat frequently in a short span of time before going to sleep for long hours. Throughout the first six months, babies experience several growth spurts. Your child will seem to be hungry all day for a few days at this time because they require more calories and nutrients to meet their growth and development needs. This is the concept of "cluster feeding" and it is typically seen close to the baby’s sleeping time.

Breast milk is easier to digest than formula. Infants who are breastfed typically control the amount and number of feeds they need, more effectively than formula-fed ones These factors make cluster feeds more common for breastfed newborns than the ones on formula feeding.

Recognizing Hunger Cues In A Breastfed Baby

Signs that your breastfed baby is hungry include:

• Increased alertness
• Hands or fingers in mouth
• Sucking motions or sounds
• Tongue out or smacking lips
• Rooting behavior (searching for the breast).

Note: Crying is a late-stage hunger cue, so it's best to watch for earlier cues to facilitate feeding.

Supporting A Breastfed Baby's Feeding Schedule

Newborn feeding patterns can be challenging and unpredictable. During the first eight weeks, focus on your baby's cues and expect them to breastfeed 8 to 12 times in a day. As your baby grows, feeding intervals may become more predictable after 3 to 4 months.

Signs That Your Baby Is Getting Enough To Eat

When your child is constantly demanding food, you wouldn’t be able to precisely gauge how much milk your infant consumes. Let’s look at some of the baby's signs that will tell you that he is well-fed:

• The baby responds well to you.
• The baby looks happy.
• Initial weight loss for a few days after birth, followed by a consistent pattern of weight gain.
• Healthy yellow stools are seen on day 5 or 7 after birth. Stool movements are usually 2 times per day.
• He passes pale yellow urine at least 6 or more times per day after a week from birth.

Don’t Focus On The Clock, Focus On Your Baby

It is highly recommended to practice on-demand feeding for your baby during the early stages. As your baby grows, they will naturally develop a more predictable schedule. However, attempting to enforce or rush this schedule before they are ready will only lead to stress for both the mother and a fussy baby. Remember, prioritize watching your baby's cues rather than strictly following the clock. Every baby has its unique wants and needs, making it difficult to determine how frequently to feed them. Breastfeeding provides the newborn with 100% of all nutrients. If you have any queries regarding nursing your baby, getting advice from a paediatrician or lactation consultant would be wise.

Conclusion

Feeding a newborn is a journey filled with learning and adaptation. This guide aims to provide an ultimate guide for parents, with essential information on breastfeeding, formula feeding, and understanding your baby's unique feeding needs.

Remember, every baby is different, and adapting to their cues is key. Consulting a pediatrician or lactation consultant for personalized advice can also be incredibly helpful. Above all, patience and attentiveness to your baby's cues will ensure a healthy and happy feeding experience for both you and your little one.