Feeding Basics For One To Three-Month Old Babies

You have recently delivered a beautiful and healthy baby. You are absolutely elated. But the thought of caring for and feeding your baby has also made you a little anxious. And you are right in being worried and nervous about this new role as a mother. Let me tell you that attending to a newborn and feeding them is no mean feat. But it can be made simple if you follow some of these basics of feeding your newborn up to 3 months of age. Take a look.

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Feeding Basics For One To Three-Month Old Babies

It’s difficult to predict a newborn’s feeding schedule. Feeding your newborn is a round the clock commitment. Here’s how, when and what to feed newborn babies upto 3 months of age.

1. 1. Use feeding time as an opportunity to bond with your baby: Every feed is an opportunity for the mother to strengthen those bonds of unconditional love, compassion and undying support with their baby. Holding them close, whispering to them or singing to them and comforting them during every feeding session helps deepen that relationship. It makes your baby feel secure and they begin to trust you, right from a tender age. The very first feeding basic is to bond with your baby
   2. You may breastfeed or bottle-feed – it is entirely up to you: As a mother, you are free to choose to either breastfeed your child or bottle-feed them. Turn a blind eye to all the judgements and suggestions that come your way and choose your method of feeding your baby with only one objective – their nutrition and well-bring. You may decide to nurse your baby, offer infant formula in a feeding bottle or offer expressed breast milk in a bottle. It is advised to offer only milk to the child until they turn 6 months old. Therefore, no water, fluids and juices
   3. Pay attention to your baby’s hunger cues: You baby will display typical hunger cues. If you pay close attention you can catch the early signs of hunger such as sucking lip movements, stretching, and stirring. They may eventually start sucking their hands or fingers, or begin to scoot. This will progress to crying and fussing. If you recognize the early signs, it is best to begin feeding the child
   4. Feed the baby when they demand it: Babies up to 3 months old generally demand food, i.e. milk every two to three hours. This makes it about twelve feeds every day. Their movements will indicate their feed times. Once they are full, they will either stop sucking or close their mouth or turn away from the nipple or bottle. Similarly, when they want to take a break from feeding, they will turn away from the nipple or bottle. Try burping them before offering the bottle again. Also bear in mind that it’s easier to overfeed when using bottle feed because drinking from a bottle is easier than from a breast. So make sure that you make the right size hole on the bottle’s nipple so that the milk should slowly drip from the hole rather than pouring out. Also, refrain from making your baby finish feeding the bottle when he shows signs of being full
   5. Focus on your baby’s growth, not on the quantity of their feed: While it is normal to worry about the amount consumed by you baby, you must remember that your baby’s growth is measured by his healthy weight gain, bowel movements, urination and play time between the feeds. How much the baby eats and how often are questions that should be left aside if your child scores on the above parameters. Remember that every child is different and therefore their food requirements differ. If your baby seems alert and active, happy and cheerful, is gaining weight steadily, feeding six to eight times in a day and is regularly wetting and soiling diapers then you should just sit back and relax. Also read: 10 Important Signs Of A Healthy Baby

1. Expect your baby’s feeding pattern to vary with time: As they grow older, they will take in a greater amount in less time. Also, during their growth spurt, which happens between two and three weeks after their birth, they will consume more milk. Again, they may consume more milk in one feeding session and feed more often in the sixth week after birth. Keeping an eye on the clock rarely works during this time. Feed your baby when they ask for it. Be patient but report anomalous behavior to your doctor for certain
2. Its normal for babies to spit up: It’s normal for newborn babies to spit up small amount of milk after feeding or during burping. There is nothing to panic as this will get resolved as the baby grows and there are chances that your baby will overcome this by the time he/she is 10 months old. You should not be concerned if your baby is spitting up small amounts within an hour of feeding and it doesn’t bother him. If you baby spits up large amounts, is irritable, is spitting up forcefully then you should call and check with your pediatrician
3. Consider vitamin D supplements: If your baby is exclusively breastfed, ask your baby’s doctor about vitamin D supplements. Vitamin D supplements should be given to breastfed babies within the first few days of life. This is because breast milk might not provide enough vitamin D to your baby. Vitamin D helps your baby absorb essential nutrients like calcium and phosphorus that are necessary for development of stronger bones
4. Speak to your healthcare provider about your concerns: A steady weight gain is an indication of a healthy baby and therefore their healthy feeding routine. If your baby is unable to reach their weight milestones on time, consult your healthcare providers. They will refer you to a lactation consultant who can guide you with your baby’s feed, duration between two sittings, feeding method and your diet, especially if you are nursing your baby or offering expressed breast milk in a bottle
5. Call your doctor: It is said that a mother’s instincts are very strong. In fact, it said that a mother can even differentiate the need from her baby’s cry sounds. Well, don’t stress or gloss over this fact. It only means that you must trust your instincts while feeding your baby – you know best when they are hungry, when they are full, when they are feeding as per routine or when there has been an aberration in their feeding schedule. Call your doctor when you think it is beyond your control or understanding, and a doctor’s examination will give you that peace of mind

Having a baby is a commitment like no other. Simple feeding routines and tips can provide you with much relief in this journey of motherhood, more so during the initial stages. So go ahead, relax enjoy your baby!