Techniques for Feeding Newborns

Now that your bundle of joy is home with you, it's essential to know how to feed her so that both of you are comfortable and she's receiving the nutrients she needs. The right techniques -- whether or not you choose to breastfeed -- can make feeding time the perfect opportunity to form a bond with your little one.

Proper Positioning

Rest your baby comfortably in your arms, so that there is no strain on your arm, and your infant can reach your nipple easily. The right position will also ensure that your baby is getting enough milk with each feeding. Let your baby "tell" you which position she prefers. For example, if she seems fussy when you cradle her, switch her to the "football" hold so she can feed while lying flat on her back. The crossover hold may prove to be comfortable for both mother and baby as well. This position involves holding the baby's chest toward you, while she nurses at the breast opposite of the arm you're holding her with, meaning nursing at the right breast while you cradle her head in your left hand or vice versa.

Switching Breasts

It's important for breastfeeding moms to remember to switch breasts during infant feeding times. About 15 minutes at each breast is sufficient. This will keep the breasts from becoming too sore or swollen and also prevents nipple strain. Switching the baby to the other side of your chest may make for a more comfortable feeding position as well, or move the baby slightly to help relieve gas or bloating.

Formula Feeding Frequency

For mothers who choose to use formula or have health complications that prevent breastfeeding, it's essential to have a regular feeding schedule for your baby, starting right after birth. According to the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford, infants need at least 400 international units (IU) of Vitamin D each day, which is available in formula. In the first 30 days of life, newborns should receive six to eight feedings of 2 to 4 oz. formula each in a 24-hour period. In the second month of life, feeding times are reduced to five or six a day, with each feeding consisting of 5 to 6 oz. formula.

Breastfeeding Frequency

Your newborn will be ready to breastfeed right after the delivery, and it's important to feed skin to skin in the first few days after birth to establish a bond. During the baby's first 24 hours out of the womb, he will be keenly interested in feeding. It's normal to breastfeed your infant several times in an hour, particularly in the late-night and early-morning hours. For women who have had a c-section, the medications used in the process can cause significant fatigue and discomfort, when can make immediate breastfeeding challenging. However, regular feedings increase the milk supply in mothers who had a cesarean birth, making breastfeeding easier. Newborns should be breastfed between eight and 12 times in the first 24 hours.