Feeding
Feedings are great times for both you and your baby to get to know each other even better. Your decision to breast or bottle feed is your choice, and either method should make feeding time a special time.
Remember this is one of the times that the baby is getting to know you by looking into your eyes, hearing your voice, feeling the softness and warmth of your body, and beat of your heart. There may be problems, though, with feeding. Newborns can seem disinterested in feeding. This is normal. A baby has to learn how to eat, and the baby will learn quicker if it is made into a happy and pleasant experience.
During the early weeks, the baby should be fed on demand. At first the baby will feed usually 7‑9 times a day. In time, he or she will learn to concentrate the feeding during the day, and sleep more at night. Generally, they learn this around the second or third month of life.
Remember to not be overly concerned about your baby's schedule. As long as the baby is growing and tolerating the feeding, all will go well.
Bottle Feeding Breast Feeding Supplemental Feeding and Vitamins
Dr Bradford STRONGLY recommends this as the preferred and superior way of feeding because:
It provides the best source of nutrition for the baby.
It provides the baby with natural protection against many viral infections and allergies.
Most mothers find it enjoyable.
Mom must maintain a healthy diet during breast feeding as she did during her pregnancy. A combination of vegetables, cereal, fruit, and small amounts of protein is the ideal diet. You also need to eat regularly during the day and snacks may help you maintain your energy. It is best in terms of your health and baby's health that weight loss is gradual. Wait until the baby is at least six (6) months old if you want to lose weight. Typically, the only vitamin supplement needed is vitamin D during the winter months.
Your milk supply is determined by the number of times you nurse the baby. The more you nurse, the more milk you have. Nursing 10‑15 minutes on a breast will empty it. Babies receive the largest amount of milk in this time period, and it should not take longer than this to feed on each side. The early or fore milk is more watery while the after or hid milk has more fats and proteins that the baby needs for actual growth. It is important to alternate the breast you begin the feeding on each time.
Use both breasts during a feeding. Do not use soap on the nipples; clean only with water before and after the feeding and let them dry well. Air dry the nipples as much as possible. However, if the nipples become sore or irritated, cut back on the time of nursing, but keep the same frequency. You may use a breast cream called Lanolin to prevent tenderness. Breast milk pumped can be refrigerated for 48 hours or frozen for 2-4 weeks. Frozen milk should be thawed in the refrigerator. Never microwave breast milk.
The most common type of formulas are products generally inclusive of Similac with Iron or Enfamil with Iron or Good Start. Specific formulations will be discussed by Dr Bradford. If your baby is eligible please enroll her in the Federally sponsored WIC program. You may use ready‑to‑feed, concentrate, or powder. Concentrate and powder have an advantage of being mixed with tap water; therefore providing fluoride, which helps in the development of healthy teeth. You need not boil the water that you use. Make sure the formula is iron‑fortified. After the baby finishes eating, simply wash the bottles and nipples in hot tap water. There is no need to sterilize them. Throw out any formula that is left after a feeding. Do not save it. Burp the baby after every 1‑2 ounces. Formula does contain all of the Vitamins the baby needs.
There is great variation among the baby's capacity to take food. Most start out by drinking 2 ounces, but there may be some small variations in amount after leaving the hospital. As long as the baby is gaining weight, everything will be well. Don't force the feedings. Be guided by the baby's appetite and behavioral cues.
Never prop the baby's bottle to feed. Comfortably, hold your baby at an angle when feeding. Do not offer sugar water. Small amounts of plain water, 1‑4 ounces a day, can be given, especially during hot months.
Supplemental Feeding and Vitamins
Like all humans, babies need sufficient calories to grow, gain weight, and stay healthy. Whether breast or bottle fed, newborns will receive enough calories and do not require supplements.
If you are breast feeding, you may occasionally want to supplement with a bottle (i.e. if you are going away, dad wants to feed the baby, etc.). No supplement feedings are necessary, though, while breast feeding if the baby is doing well.
When you supplement, you can use pumped breast milk or formula. If you use formula, use the powder so as to not waste formula.
Formula fed babies do not need vitamin or iron supplementation. The formula itself is fortified, and if you are using water to mix the formula, the baby will get fluoride. Breast fed babies after 6 months of age may need fluoride supplements.
Do not offer whole milk until 12 months of age unless you are instructed to do so.
Do not give the baby solid foods/cereals until 4 months of age, at the earliest, unless you are instructed to do so.