Newborn Feeding Guide
With the birth of a new baby, new parents should pay attention to how to feed the baby. Good feeding habits can help babies grow and develop healthily. Here are some guidelines for feeding your newborn.
The importance of breastfeeding
Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for infants. Breast milk is rich in protein, carbohydrates, fats, antibodies and other components, and can provide adequate nutrition and immune protection for babies. For babies in kindergarten, breastfeeding should be continued for at least six months, along with appropriate amounts of other foods until the child is two years old.
Postpartum measures
Breast cleaning is an important step to ensure the quality of breastfeeding. Moms need to prepare their breasts for feeding by washing them to ensure they are clean and hygienic. Some mothers have to stop breastfeeding due to nipple pain and other reasons while breastfeeding. But using a nipple protector can relieve nipple pain and protect your nipples.
Feeding time
The baby should be breastfed for no less than 15 minutes at a time. If not enough, the baby needs to be stimulated to get enough milk. It should be reminded that some babies may need additional nutrition, and mothers need to determine whether supplementary formula milk is needed based on the needs of the baby.
Artificial feeding
For babies who cannot breastfeed for some reason, nutrition can be provided through artificial feeding. Artificial milk powder is the most ideal choice for artificial feeding because its composition is similar to breast milk and is closest to breast milk in nutrition and structure.
Bottle cleaning work
Before feeding your child, clean the bottle to ensure it is hygienic and clean. Because the bottle mouth is curved, it generally requires a professional bottle brush to clean it. After cleaning, boil the bottle in boiling water for about 5 minutes. Boil sterilization can eliminate estrogen in the mouth of the bottle and reduce the risk of powdery disease.
Feeding interval
Babies need a break after each feeding, and the amount of time required may vary depending on the baby\’s needs. Babies usually need to drink every two to three hours, which may stretch to four hours between evening and early morning.
Adjust feeding rhythm
Feeding your baby doesn\’t always follow an exact schedule. Feeding should always be based on the baby\’s needs. This need can be expressed through careful observation of the baby\’s cries or dance (called the rooting reflex).
Prevent vomiting
Some babies drink too much too quickly, which can cause vomiting. This can be prevented by spacing out the baby\’s feedings, or by holding the baby\’s head up to ensure the fluids in the stomach flow slowly.
Change posture
If your baby feels a little depressed when drinking milk, you can change the feeding position. For example, the baby can be placed on the mother\’s shoulders or fed upside down.
Summary
Breast milk is the best choice when it comes to feeding your newborn. However, in any case, attention should be paid to the needs of the baby and appropriate feeding methods should be chosen. It is very necessary to ensure that the baby bottle is clean and hygienic, and attention should also be paid to the rhythm to avoidAvoid vomiting. In order to adjust the feeding schedule and method, parents should try different feeding methods to meet the different needs of their babies.
