How To Feed A Newborn

Can I Get Pregnant While Im Breastfeeding

Yes, its possible to get pregnant while youre breastfeeding. Breastfeeding can be a form of birth control, but only if you do it in a certain way.

You can also safely use most birth control methods while youre breastfeeding to prevent pregnancy. They wont hurt you or your baby. You can start using the shot, implant, IUD, and progestin-only birth control pills right after giving birth. You can also always use barrier methods, like condoms, for birth control right away.

For the first 3 weeks after giving birth, dont use a birth control method that has the hormone estrogen, like the combination pill, patch, or ring. After 3 weeks, you can use any of these methods.

When Should You Introduce A Bottle To Your Baby

If you’re only bottle-feeding your baby, you should obviously start right after birth.

If you’re breastfeeding, however, it’s recommended that you wait about three weeks until introducing a bottle. Bottle-feeding earlier could potentially interfere with the successful establishment of breastfeeding, not because of nipple confusion , but because your breasts may not be stimulated enough to pump up supply.

If you wait much later, though, baby may reject the unfamiliar bottle in favor of the breast because that’s what she’s gotten used to.

Do I Need To Wake My Baby For Feeds

Newborns have tiny tummies and so need to feed frequently. For example, the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine supplementation protocol reports that the average intakes of colostrum per feed by healthy, term breastfed is 2-10 mL on day 1, 5-15 mL on day 2, 15-30 mL on day 3 and 30-60 mL on day 4. Feeding frequently in the early days and weeks helps make sure you have a good milk supply.

Because breastmilk is easily digested, it is common for breastfed babies to feed 812 times in a 24-hour period. This usually means that your baby will breastfeed on average every 23 hours around the clock , with possibly one longer stretch between feeds somewhere in a 24-hour period. The length of time between feeds can vary greatly from baby to baby. The time between feeds is from the beginning of the last feed, not the end. Newborns also tend to have periods each day where they feed very frequently for a few hours . Often these cluster feeding periods are followed by a longer stretch of sleep.

In most cases, healthy, thriving newborns will wake of their own accord for feeds and so get all the milk they need. Feeding your baby when he is showing early feeding cues can help him to feed better: see Feeding cues article.

Feeding cues can be hard to pick in a sleepy baby so it is important to keep your baby close to you so you can learn.

There are many ways to tell if your baby is getting enough milk. See the article Low supply for further information.

Don’t Miss: What Can You Give A Newborn For Colic

Breastfeeding : How To Breastfeed Baby

When my daughter was born, just past midnight on a snowy Saturday, I was elated. But as the hospital room bustled with doctors, nurses and family, I didnt get to hold her properly until nearly an hour later. I didnt nurse her til even later than that. By then, the world had gone to sleep and it was just the two of us, curled cozy in the bed. Luckily, she was a natural at breastfeedingbut for me, the learning curve was steeper.

These days, most moms-to-be know the drill: Doctors suggest nursing baby within minutes of birth, using immediate skin-to-skin contact to better bond with your child. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of babys life, then introducing solids as a supplement while continuing to breastfeed for the first year and beyond. But when it comes time to actually start nursing, many new moms struggle in the beginning. After all, learning how to breastfeed is an entirely new endeavor for both you and baby, and getting accustomed to it can take some time and patience. Whether youre anticipating babys arrival or have already welcomed your newborn, learning the breastfeeding basicsfrom the proper breastfeeding latch to the best breastfeeding positionscan help the nursing process go more smoothly for you and baby, right from the get-go.

In this article:Do babies need a breastfeeding schedule?

How To Breastfeed In Public

Some new moms are super-comfortable breastfeeding in public, while others might be a bit more bashful. Know this: Legally, its your right to feed baby in public. In fact, 49 states have laws specifically guaranteeing your right to breastfeed in any public or private space.

To make yourself more comfortable nursing baby in public, Hawkins suggests a bit of preparation. Wear two layers: a tank top or a cami under a t-shirt and over a bra, she says. Bring baby to your body in a cross-cradle position, put your hand underneath your T-shirt, pull down the tank, unlatch the bra and bring baby to feed. That way, youre minimally exposed. You can also use a nursing cover for more privacy, but Hawkins warns they may not be comfortable in warmer weather. Plus, as baby gets older, he might got frustrated with a cover and try to remove it.

You May Like: When Does A Newborn Get Their First Shots

How To Feed A Newborn Kitten

This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 14 testimonials and 84% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 871,249 times.

Ideally, kittens should stay near and nurse from their mother cat for up to eight weeks prior to being separated and/or adopted. In the case of a rescue, death of the natural mother, or when circumstances cause cat mothers to reject one or more of her litter, human intervention is necessary. There are many things to consider if you find yourself needing to feed a newborn kitten. Careful consideration and preparation will make bottle feeding a kitten a soothing and comfortable experience, and help result in a happy, healthy pet.

What To Feed Newborn Puppies Without Their Mom

Veterinarians say that the best replacement milk for puppies is commercial puppy milk formula. Best Friends Animal Society recommends the Esbliac puppy milk replacer when feeding orphan puppies. Veterinary experts say that any puppy milk replacer should contain optimal levels of omega-3 fatty acid and DHA , a nutrient that is important for the development of the puppies brains and eyes. Containers will come with feeding instructions and these should be followed carefully. Just as with newborn babies, the milk can be tested on your forearm before feeding. It should be about the same temperature as your skin or only slightly warmer.

As you feed your newborn be aware that overfeeding may put a puppy at risk of aspiration, vomiting, diarrhea, and gas build-up in the stomach and intestines. Maddies Fund provides a helpful newborn puppy feeding chart broken down by calorie requirements and formula measurements based on a puppys weight.

Also Check: How To Help A Newborn Poop When Constipated

How To Tell If Your Baby Is Getting Enough Milk

Many new nursing mothers worry at some point that baby isn’t eating enough. Your breasts aren’t calibrated on the outside, after all, so you dont know how much milk youre producing and baby is consuming. If youre concerned, a few indicators can help you check that your baby is getting her fill:

• Disposition. If your little one seems happy and content after most feedings, then chances are she’s a satisfied customer and is getting enough milk. If she’s crying and fussing or sucking on her fingers frantically after a full feeding, she might still be hungry .
• Dirty diapers. Keep a careful count: After three or four days, your newborn should be pumping out at least six and up to 12 with clear to very pale yellow urine and at least three or four soft, yellow bowel movements over a 24-hour period in the beginning. For the first several weeks, it’s a good idea to keep a written record of breastfeeding frequency and diaper output, which you can bring along to the pediatrician’s office at each visit.
• Weight. Infants should gain weight steadily every week from the second week on 4 to 7 ounces per week is typical for newborns, although weight gain varies depending on age and other factors. Your pediatrician will let you know if your baby’s growth is on track.

How To Breastfeed Twins

Most moms find it hard enough to establish a comfortable breastfeeding routine with one baby, so learning how to breastfeed twins can be an even bigger challenge. There are two breastfeeding positions that can work well for nursing twins:

Double-cradle position. Each baby lies in the crook of each elbow, crisscrossing each other in your lap.

Double-football hold. With this hold, your babies bodies rest of pillows along your sides and under your arms.

But keep in mind that tandem breastfeeding can be difficult and stressful, especially in the beginning. Instead, treat each baby individually, Hawkins suggests. They will each have different needs and will breastfeed differently.

Not only do moms of twins need to balance each childs need, they also need to account for milk imbalances. One breast will typically have more milk than the other, Hawkins says. One way to even things out: Breastfeed Baby A on the left breast and Baby B on the right breast for a day, then switch them to the opposite breast the next day, she says. Another option? Switch breasts for each baby at every feedingalthough youll need to take careful notes to remember which baby got which breast.

You May Like: How To Help A Newborn With A Cold

How Often Should I Feed My Baby

In the first week, your baby may want to feed very often. It could be every hour in the first few days.

Feed your baby as often as they want and for as long as they want. They’ll begin to have fewer, but longer feeds after a few days.

As a very rough guide, your baby should feed at least 8 to 12 times, or more, every 24 hours during the first few weeks.

It’s fine to feed your baby whenever they are hungry, when your breasts feel full or if you just want to have a cuddle.

It’s not possible to overfeed a breastfed baby.

When your baby is hungry they may:

• get restless
• suck their fist or fingers
• make murmuring sounds
• turn their head and open their mouth

It’s best to try and feed your baby during these early feeding cues as a crying baby is difficult to feed.

How To Bottle Feed A Baby

It’s important to choose a formula that is iron-fortified. Low-iron formulas are available due to the belief that iron makes babies gassy and constipated, but studies have found this to be untrue. If there’s a family history of allergies, you believe your baby is lactose intolerant, or you have other health concerns, consult your pediatricianhe or she can steer you toward the formula best suited for your child’s needs. Most formulas come in a powder or concentrate form or ready-to-feed form .

• RELATED: Best Baby Formulas 2019

Your newborn will probably take between 2 and 4 ounces per feeding during his first few weeks , and will probably be hungry every two to four hours. Use this time frame as a guide only. It’s best to feed your baby on demand. Don’t encourage your baby to finish the bottle if he’s not interested. And if he’s still sucking enthusiastically when the bottle is empty, offer him more.

Recommended Reading: What To Get Newborn Parents

Tips And Precautions When Syringe Feeding

Here are some useful tips and precautions to safely syringe-feed your baby .

References:

Baby Feeding Goals For 3

When your baby was a newborn, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended calculating your baby’s daily nutritional needs based on their weightor giving your baby 2.5 ounces of formula or expressed breast milk for every pound that they weigh. They also advised responding to your baby’s hunger and fullness cues along the way.

Now that your baby is a little older, Dr. Roberts indicates that you don’t have to do those calculations any longer unless your baby is not gaining weight or is underweight. At this stage, your goal is to ensure that your baby is eating regularly and consuming the recommended amount of formula or breast milk.

“Babies also may start to space their feedings out a little longer than the newborn stage because they are more efficient at eating and can take more breast milk or formula at a time,” Dr. Roberts says. “On average, they will eat every 3 to 4 hours. However, breastfed infants may need to eat more frequently at the beginning of this stage because breast milk is digested more quickly than formula.”

At first, you may worry about the missed nighttime feedings especially after getting used to feeding your baby around the clock. But you probably have nothing to worry about if your infant sleeps 5 to 6 hours at night. It’s also unlikely that you will need to wake them to feed. Unless there is a medical reason why they need to eat at night, it is generally OK to let them sleep.

Recommended Reading: Can You Give Newborns Probiotics