Care Advice For Bottle Feeding
How Much Formula Should I Give My Baby
Within the first few weeks, make two- to three-ounce bottles every two to three hours for your newborn. Increase this amount after adjusting to their eating patterns. Look for the following cues to know when to start increasing your little ones formula intake:
- Finishing a full bottle at each feeding
- Showing signs of hunger after each feeding
Newborns
Newborns drink about 1.5 to 3 ounces of formula every two to three hours. Increase the amount as your baby grows.
Two-Month-Old Babies
Two-month-old babies drink about 4 to 6 ounces of formula every three to four hours. Increase the amount when your baby is able to consume more formula at each feeding.
What Are My Rights As A Breastfeeding Employee
The federal Break Time for Nursing Mothers Provisionexternal icon of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requires employers to support breastfeeding employees by providing:
- A reasonable break time to express breast milk for 1 year after your childs birth.
- A private, non-bathroom space to express breast milk.
This law applies to most hourly employees and some salaried employees who are covered by the Fair Labor Standards Actexternal icon. Most states also have laws that protect breastfeeding employees.
For breastfeeding people who work in settings with higher risk of potential exposure to COVID-19, such as health care settings, they should wear a mask while breastfeeding or expressing milk in the workplace. Learn more at Care for Breastfeeding People.
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How Will I Know If My Formula
Its perfectly natural to worry about whether youre feeding your baby enough, but once you get into a rhythm and become familiar with their feeding habits , you will get the hang of it. Here are a few common signs that your baby might be hungry:
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If your little one is getting fidgety or restless, its probably time to give them a feed.
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If they open their cute little mouth and turn their head towards you.
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If they start to suck their fingers, or sometimes even their whole fist.
- If your baby starts to cry, then this could be a sign they are hungry.
How To Know If Your Baby Is Getting Enough To Eat
Regardless of how your baby is fed, they will appear satiated after eating if they have gotten the proper amount of food. If they are not getting enough, their mood will be your first sign that they are still hungry.
For instance, they may cry, fuss, or suck on things after their feedings. But, use caution here, because sometimes these signs can be an indicator of something else like colic, gas, or even reflux.
Another way to tell if your baby is satisfied is to track the number of wet diapers they have in a 24-hour period. Infants greater than 1 week old should have at least six wet diapers per day and the urine should be pale yellow.
Paying attention to your baby’s weight gain also can help you determine if they have been fed enough. The average weight gain for newborns is about 4 to 7 ounces per week. If your baby is gaining less, they may not be getting enough to eat. Your pediatrician can help you determine if your child’s weight gain and growth are on track or something to be concerned about.
If you think that your baby may not be eating enough or they are not producing enough wet diapers, contact your pediatrician right away. They can determine if there is an underlying issue and help you figure out a healthy feeding plan for your baby.
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How Often Should I Alternate Breasts
Try to offer both breasts during each feeding to sustain your milk supply. Your baby may not take the second breast if theyre full.
Some women find it helpful to alternate breasts in the middle of each feeding session, while others prefer to switch breasts at each feeding so that theyre only nursing from one for an entire session and the other during the next session.
No matter which method you choose, be sure to keep track of which breast you offered last so that youre giving both the same amount of nursing time throughout the day.
Sore Nipples
Your body is adjusting to a new life on the inside and outside: you have a new baby and a new body! During the first few days postpartum, your nipples may be a little sore from nursing. This can make breastfeeding miserable and uncomfortable. Over time, your body does eventually adjust and sore nipples become a thing of the past! But to help keep your skin comfortable while nursing especially during those first few days try our Nursing Comfort Balm, which is a soothing and restorative nipple cream. This lanolin-free balm moisturizes and protects your nipples, eases discomfort, and helps replenish and restore your skin during and after breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is now a painless pleasure!
Dealing With Leaking Breasts
Sometimes, breast milk may leak unexpectedly from your nipples.
Wearing breast pads will stop your clothes becoming wet with breast milk. Remember to change them frequently to prevent an infection.
Expressing some milk may also help. Only express enough to feel comfortable as you do not want to overstimulate your supply.
If your baby has not fed recently, you could offer them a feed as breastfeeding is also about you being comfortable.
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Is My Baby Eating Enough
At times, you may wonder whether your baby is getting enough nutrients for healthy growth and development. Babies who get enough to eat seem satisfied after eating and are regularly peeing and pooping.
At your babys checkups, the doctor will review your babys growth chart, track your little ones development, and answer any questions. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about your babys feeding and nutrition.
Your Health Care Teams Advice
With your newborn, you will have regular healthcare appointments. These routine visits are mostly for checking in and monitoring your babys growth within the first month.
During your visits, your pediatrician will examine your baby and make specific recommendations.
If your babys weight is moving too fast or too slow according to the growth chart, your doctor may recommend more or less formula to adjust your feeding routine to meet the babys needs.
This information will be specific to your baby and your situation, and often it trumps any other recommendations given.
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When Can A Puppy Eat Adult Dog Food
When to shift your pup over to adult dog food will depend partly on their size and growth rate. Many toy- and small-breed dogs and mixed breeds reach their full size by 10 to 12 months of age. While a very active small dog may benefit from an extra snack during the day, they can start the change to an adult diet. Large- and giant-breed dogs may not reach full growth until 18 months or older.
Consult your veterinarian for guidance about switching to adult dog food.
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References: The Newborn Feeding Schedule
Nutrition during lactation is an excellent resource for parents who want detailed information about the newborn feeding schedule and other breastfeeding issues. It is available online. For more information regarding the newborn feeding schedule, see these publications :
American Academy of Pediatrics. 1997. Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk. Pediatrics 100 : 1035-1039.
Casiday RE, Wright Cm, Panter-Brick C, and Parkinson KN. 2004. Do early infant feeding patterns relate to breast-feeding continuation and weight gain? Data from a longitudinal cohort study. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 58: 1290-1296.
Casey CE, M.R. Neifert MR, Seacat JM, and Neville MC. 1986. Nutrient intake by breastfed infants during the first five days after birth. Am. J. Dis. Child. 140:933-936.
de Carvalho M., Robertson S, Merkatz R, and Klaus M. 1982. Milk intake and frequency of feeding in breastfed infants. Early Hum. Dev. 7:155-163.
Dewey KG, Nommsen-Rivers LA, Heinig MJ, and Cohen RJ. 2003. Risk Factors for Suboptimal Infant Breastfeeding Behavior, Delayed Onset of Lactation, and Excess Neonatal Weight Loss. Pediatrics 112: 607-619.
Fildes VA. Breasts, bottles and babies. 1986. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
Freeman V, vant Hof M, and Haschke F. 2000. Patterns of milk and food intake in infants from birth to age 36 months: the Euro-growth study. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 31 Suppl 1:S76-85.
Image credits for The newborn feeding schedule
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Feeding Puppies From Birth Through 4 Weeks Of Age
The best puppy food for your puppys first month of life is their mothers milk, which has the best balance of nutrients for a growing puppy.
If you are raising puppies yourself without the mother, or you need to supplement puppies for another reason, a formula specifically made for puppies is the best option.
Puppies should be weighed daily. While a pup may not gain weight the first day , there should be steady weight gains after that. If a puppy loses weight or fails to gain, contact your veterinarian.
What Type Of Formula Can I Offer
Healthy babies born at full term, which is 37 weeks or more of pregnancy, can be fed any type of store- bought formula: ready-to-feed, liquid concentrate or powdered. If you use powdered formula, prepare it carefully. For more information, see HealthLinkBC File #69b Feeding Your Baby Formula: Safely Making and Storing Formula.
Some babies have a higher risk of getting sick from powdered infant formula and should be fed ready-to-feed or liquid concentrate formula. These babies include those who:
- Were born premature, before 37 weeks of pregnancy, and are under 2 months of age
- Weighed less than 2500 grams at birth and are under 2 months of age
- Have a weakened immune system, meaning they are more likely to get sick if exposed to germs
If you are not sure what type of formula to feed your baby, discuss with your health care provider.
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When Dealing With Bottle Refusal Be Patient
Rarely, a breastfed baby will prove shockingly tenacious in refusing to take milk from a bottle. If after trying all of the above techniques your baby is still rejecting the bottle, or if your baby begins refusing the bottle after taking it previously, you can also try:
Distracting the baby. Try giving the bottle when your baby is calm and a little distracted, for example, by offering a bottle while taking a walk outside.
Heating things up. Try warming the milk and the bottle nipple, to make the experience more similar to feeding at your breast.
Offering a taste. Using a syringe, try dribbling a little milk into your babys mouth and then giving her the bottle. This helps trigger her drive to suck on the bottle.
Using music as a feeding cue. Rosenfeld recommended playing the same music while nursing and bottle feeding. This cues your baby that its time to eat.
If your baby is 6 months or older, try circumventing the bottle and weaning directly onto a cup.
How Long Does Nursing Take
Newborns may nurse for up to 20 minutes or longer on one or both breasts. As babies get older and more skilled at breastfeeding, they may take about 510 minutes on each side.
How long it takes to breastfeed depends on you, your baby, and other things, such as whether:
- your milk supply has come in
- your let-down reflex happens right away or after a few minutes into a feeding
- your milk flow is slow or fast
- the baby has a good latch, taking in as much as possible of your areola
- your baby begins gulping right away or takes it slow
- your baby is sleepy or distracted
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Between Days 6 And 10 Start Settling Into A More Predictable Breastfeeding Routine
Because your baby is likely receiving more milk than she did before, you may notice a more regular pattern of nursing, sleeping and alert periods after your milk comes in. If your baby likes to suckle for comfort, you may find that she prefers to cluster feed at certain times of day, meaning shell nurse almost continuously for a few hours, rather than nursing only once every two to three hours.
By this time, your baby should be producing four or more yellowish bowel movements and six or more wet diapers every 24 hours. Consult the A.A.P.s breastfeeding guide to help ensure you and your baby are still on the right breastfeeding path. Its also important to continue to find time to rest when your baby is sleeping.
The Type Of Food To Use When Weaning Puppies
You can only use puppy food moistened with milk replacers or warm water during this process.
Create an appealing meal for their sensitive palates a soupy gruel. You may need to encourage those puppies during the first few feedings, but most of the time, they quickly learn on their own.
Always take into consideration the breed size of the litter when choosing the type of puppy food. If you need help in making sure that the pups are progressing normally, bring them to the vet.
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How To Mix And Handle Formula
- Check the expiration date on the container. Dont use if the formula is past this date.
- Wash the top of the new container before opening it.
- It is important that you follow the mixing directions on the can. Your baby can get sick if you use too much water or not enough water.
- You may use city water to mix concentrated or powder formula. You may use well water if you boil it before using.
- Heat the water to a full boil for at least one minute.
- Pour the water into a clean container and cover it. Keep it in the refrigerator.
- Use the water within three days of mixing formula.
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What If Im Breastfeeding And Formula Feeding
For mothers who combine breastfeeding and formula, there are no set rules for how often and how much a newborn should eat of each. Aim for at least 6-8 feedings per day of one or the other , but since breast milk and formula are nutritionally equivalent, its simply a matter of finding the mix that works best for you and your baby.
NOTE: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months. Even if you plan to eventually supplement with formula, breastfeeding during that critical period can help better establish your breast milk supply for the months ahead. To learn more about the important health benefits of breastfeeding for you and your baby, read our blog on the subject.
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Here Is A List Of Signs You Can Watch For To Know When Your Newborn Is Asking To Be Fed:
- Rooting, where baby turns his head and opens his mouth toward anything that touches his face
- Brings hand to face toward mouth
- Opens mouth and moves tongue in thrusting movement
- Becomes more active, makes a lot of body movements
- Feed baby when he awakes from a nap
Burp your baby once she falls asleep, begins long pauses between sucking, or lets go of the nipple. Afterwards, offer your other breast or the bottle again.
Babies often do what we call cluster feeding, where they want to nurse many times in a short period. Although it can be exhausting, its best to continue feeding on demand. This more frequent nursing is a way your baby helps increase milk supply and create positive nursing habits.
If youre bottle feeding, your baby will be eating about 1/2 an ounce per feeding for the first few days.