Becoming parents is joyful. It is a beautiful experience that most couples want to feel. This happiness comes with a great responsibility, especially for a mother. From self-care to baby care, everything should be done in the best way. It is a big commitment and an opportunity to form a bond with your newborn child.
Breast milk is very crucial to your baby. If you frequently breastfeed your newborn, he or she gets all important nutrition as well as comes close to you. It is equally important to give milk feed in the right way for the development of your newborn child.
Here are a few tips for milk feeding for the newborn, read and learn:
1. Choose Breastfeed or Formula:
However, breastfeeding is best for your baby. For any reason, you are unable to breastfeed and you need to consider formula, choose that and stick with infant formula. Newborns do not need cereal, water, juice or other fluids.
2. Learn the Sign of Baby Feed
As a new mom, it is difficult to know when you need to give feed to your infant. But some signs will guide you when you should start feeding or when you should stop feeding. However, an infant needs 8 to 12 feedings a day which means after a gap of 2 or 3 hours.
Learn some other signs of feeding like moving the hands to the mouth, sucking on fists and fingers, and lip-smacking. When your kid cries and creates a fuss, it can also be a sign that he or she is hungry and needs feeding.
If you start feeding soon, you will be able to soothe your child.
Stop sucking, moving the hands to the mouth, sucking on fists and fingers, and lip-smacking, it means he or she is full.
After each feeding, start burping your newborn to relieve gas or wind, so that he or she feels comfortable and sleeps well.
You also learn that your baby takes less time to feed as getting older.
2. Give Vitamin D Supplements
Ask your baby’s doctor about vitamin D supplements for your child, especially if your baby is breastfeeding. Breast feed might not give enough vitamin D, which helps your baby absorb calcium and phosphorus — nutrients essential for strong bones.
3. Accept changes in your newborn’s Eating Patterns
Your baby will not necessarily eat the same amount every day. During growth spurts, it will change. Your newborn wants more feeding often at two to three weeks after birth. Know the early signs of hunger and keep your eyes close to feed often rather than clock.
4. Believe Yourself and Your Newborn
You can be concerned your baby is not eating much. Don’t worry, the baby knows how much they need. Don’t worry about how much, focus on how often and how regularly your newborn eats.
5. Try to Make a Bond with Your Newborn in Each Feeding
Get each time closer to your baby and feel the joy of motherhood. It is an amazing experience and helps you to establish a bond with your newborn. Enjoy the moment and look into your baby’s eyes, speak gently. It will give security and satisfaction to your newborn.
6. Stay Consistent with Feeding
Maintain feeding consistency and keep an eye on when your other family members feed your baby as a part of the time – Make sure they are following the same routines or methods.
7. Don’t hesitate to Ask Help
If you are having a breastfeeding problem, visit a lactation consultant or your baby’s doctor for help — especially if every feeding is uneasy or your baby isn’t gaining weight. If you don’t have experience earlier with a lactation consultant, ask your baby’s doctor for a referral or check with the obstetrics department at a local hospital.
Motherhood is a journey where you will learn many things. Your baby is dependable on you, and you can understand your newborn in a better way, therefore enjoy learning these early signs of a newborn and become the best caregiver for him or her.
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