How to Feed New Born Babies

Infants require a lot of care and attention: diaper changes, numerous naps and frequent feedings throughout the day. Newborn babies typically eat between eight and 12 meals each day, or about one meal every two to three hours. Although feeding your newborn might seem like a daunting task at first, you can learn how to satisfy your baby's hunger through patience and careful attention.

Instructions

How to Breastfeed a Newborn Baby

1

Find a comfortable place to breastfeed. When your baby is ready for a meal, look for a place to sit where you can comfortably feed your baby, such as a sofa, bed or a chair. You might want to place a blanket over your breast if you feel uncomfortable about breastfeeding in public.

2

Allow your baby to latch onto your breast. Your newborn's mouth should cover as much as your aureole as possible and not just the nipple itself. Be patient and remember that it will take some time before you and your baby will master latching and breastfeeding. Speak with a lactation consultant if you are having problems.

3

Let your baby eat until she is full. There is no set time schedule for how long your baby must eat per breastfeeding. Your newborn will stop sucking or turn her head away when she does not want to eat anymore.

4

Alternate breasts per feeding. It is important to use both breasts when feeding your child to prevent engorgement. Some women prefer to switch breasts in the middle of the feeding. Others prefer to nurse on one breast for one feeding and then nurse on the other breast for the next feeding. Choose an option that works best for you and your baby.

5

Feed your baby whenever he gets hungry. Because breast milk digests easier than formula, your baby will need more frequent feedings than a formula-fed child. Look for signs that your baby is ready for a meal, such as sticking out his tongue and making sucking motions with his mouth. Try to feed your newborn before he starts to cry or fuss because an upset baby can be hard to calm.

6

Burp your baby. When your baby is finished with a meal, make sure to burp him. Put a towel or spit-rag over your shoulder to catch any liquid your baby might spit up. Then, place your baby's head gently onto your shoulder--her body should rest against your chest--and rub her back until you hear a burp.

How to Bottle-feed a Newborn Baby

7

Fill a clean bottle with the desired amount of warm water. You should use sterilized water if you obtain your water from a well. To sterilize water, fill a pot with water and let it boil for at least a minute. Let the water cool to room temperature before you use it to make formula.

8

Prepare the formula. Consult the directions on the formula's label, and add the formula powder or formula concentrate to the bottle. Usually, you add one scoop of powder for every two ounces of water or one ounce of concentrate for every once of water.

9

Shake the bottle to mix the formula and water. If the formula forms bubbles, let the bottle sit until the bubbles go away. The bubbles can give your baby gas and cause her to spit up, so you want to get rid of as many bubbles as possible.

10

Warm the bottle. Some babies will drink room-temperature formula while others will prefer warm bottles. To warm the baby formula, place the bottle into a pot of hot water. (The water should not be boiling.) The bottle will be ready when it feels warm against your forearm (the bottle should not feel hot). Shake the formula gently to even out the temperature inside the bottle. Alternately, you can run the bottle under hot running water or use a bottle-warming device. Do not warm the formula in the microwave because the microwave can cause uneven heating.

11

Feed your baby. Cradle your infant in a semi-upright position and provide support for his head. Place the nipple of the bottle into his mouth and tilt the bottle at a slight angle to prevent him from sucking down air. Your baby should stop sucking or turn her head away from the bottle when he is full. (Keep in mind, though, that he might only be taking a break from feeding. Allow him to rest for a minute before you try to give him the bottle again. If he resists the bottle, then he should be full.) In general, newborn babies will eat every two to three hours and should gain between four to seven ounces a week for the first month.

12

Burp your baby. Put a towel or spit-rag over your shoulder to catch any liquid your baby may spit up. Then, place your baby's head gently onto your shoulder (her body should rest against your chest) and rub her back until you hear a burp.

13

When your baby is finished eating, wash the bottle and nipple thoroughly with warm water and soap. You also can clean the bottle by placing it in your dishwasher on the hot water cycle. Your doctor might recommend you sterilize the bottles after each use to kill any harmful bacteria, especially if your baby is premature. Generally, you do not need to sterilize the bottles if you live in an area where your water is treated. If you obtain your water from a well, however, you should sterilize your bottles before each use.