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Baby Feeding FAQ
The Baby Feeding FAQ answers some of the most frequently asked questions about feeding a baby-what, how much, and when!
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Is breastfeeding really that much better than bottle feeding?
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Breastfeeding is the way humans were designed to feed their babies, and human breast milk contains unique proteins, acids and immune factors that can't be replicated by formula. The American Academy of Pediatrics (http://www.aap.org) recommends that infants be fed breast milk to one year of age and beyond that as long as mother and child wish. At one year, children's immune systems have matured enough that most can tolerate cow's milk. Before one year, babies who are not breastfed must be given artificial milks derived from cow's milk or soy.
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How often does my new baby need to eat?
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Your baby's stomach is very small and can't hold more than a few ounces, so the answer is-often! Human milk is digested very quickly, often within 90 minutes of the last feeding. Healthy, full-term infants need to nurse about every two to three hours around the clock. Formula-fed babies should also be offered the bottle every two to three hours at first. Signs of hunger include the rooting reflex (turning the head and making sucking motions) and chewing or sucking on hands. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, crying is a late cue that a baby is hungry. An upset baby may swallow air and not settle well to a feeding, so try to pick up your baby's hunger cues early.
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I'm nursing my baby. When can I introduce a bottle and let someone else feed him?
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Your milk supply should be well-established by about six weeks. This is a good time to try a Baby Bottle. Have someone else hold the baby and offer the bottle. The artificial nipple will be unfamiliar at first, and the baby will have to learn how to suck from it, but most figure it out (you may want to try different-shaped nipples). If you will not be with baby for a feeding, you should pump your milk to keep up your supply, or your body may adjust and make less milk. La Leche League International (http://www.laleche.org) is an organization supporting breastfeeding mothers. Their website has a lot of information on breastfeeding topics, including pumping milk and returning to work.
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What are the signs that my baby is getting enough to eat?
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Frequent wet diapers. Most pediatricians cite a figure of six to eight wet diapers a day. Cloth diapers have to be changed more often, so eight to ten wet diapers might be a better number for cloth. Hard to tell if your baby has wet a disposable diaper? Weigh the diaper in your hand and compare to a clean diaper. Steady weight gain is also a reliable indicator. Most pediatricians are happy to have you drop in for a quick weight check if you are anxious about whether your baby is getting enough.
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Why isn't it OK to warm a bottle of breast milk or formula in the microwave?
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Microwaves heat unevenly and can create "hot spots" in heated liquid. Overheating in spots also causes the nutrients to break down. You can warm a bottle by holding it under first cool, then warm running water. You can also buy convenient bottle warmers. If you heat a bottle in a pan of hot water, heat the water on the stove and remove from the heat before putting the bottle in. Shake the bottle before testing the temperature. Most babies like their milk at body temperature, neither chilly nor hot.
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When can I start giving solid foods?
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Most babies have their first taste of solid food (usually an iron-fortified baby rice cereal) between four and six months; this is a good question for your pediatrician at the four-month checkup. If there are allergies in your family, delaying the introduction of solid foods may help reduce the chance that your baby will be allergic later on.
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