Feeding Your New Born Baby

 Feeding Your New Born Baby

 Breast feeding is the feeding of an infant with milk from human breast; it is the act of supplying the baby with its nutritional needs.  A new born baby should be breast feed immediately one hour after birth and this should continue exclusively for a period of six month after. The baby should be given breast milk only for the period of six month, then after other supplement can be added. This does not mean that the baby should be fed for only six month but it should be given breast milk only within this period. After which other supplement that is nutritionally adequate and also age appropriate can be introduced to the baby, a baby should be breast fed for two years as recommended by the World health organization.

  How often do you feed you feed your baby? It is recommended that you feed your baby on demand; when they feel hungry.  Your baby may prompt you by crying, making suckling noise or putting fingers into its mouth.

 You should feed your newborn baby for at least after every two to three hours allowing it to suck for at least ten minutes. If you are not breast feeding your baby should consume at least 2-3 ounces at each feeding. Some babies may need to be awakened after some few hours to be fed. Don’t leave your baby sleeping for long time without feeding it. Call the attention of your doctor if you need to frequently wake your baby before it eat.

 If you are a formula-feeding you can easily notice if your baby is not  eating enough but for breast feeding it is not easy. To know your baby is feeding to the required level is to notice if your baby is satisfied, produce about 5-7 wet diapers or stools, sleeping well and  adding weight , if so then your baby is feeding well.  You can also check that by noticing your breast level before and after breast feed.

 To breastfeed your baby follows the steps below:

·          You should start by placing your nipples between your baby’s nose and lower lip or you can easily brush her cheek with your breast, this will make it open it mouth in search of the breast.

·         When it is looking for the breast, pull her to the breast instead of bringing the breast toward her.

·          Your baby’s lip should be wide open around the breast ensure that your baby did not gain any pain.

·         As she is sucking hold her close

·          It may look uncomfortable for you and your baby but with time you will get used to it.

 As you are nursing your baby you need to eat a nutritional healthy food to supply you with enough nutrients for yourself and to ensure the quantity and quality of the milk you producing is optimum. Many moms feel extra hungry while breastfeeding.

 Breastfeeding cannot be without challenges like nipple pain, back pain, low milk supply and more, and consult your doctor occasionally.