Taking Care of a Newborn is a Strech

Every day with a newborn is a new challenge, whether it’s the first or fourth child. New parents have a lot on their minds, and one of those things is making sure their babies are getting the nutrition they need. Their primary aim is to give their babies the best start possible in terms of nutrition, as proper nourishment is essential to an infant’s physical and mental development. 

For the first six months of life, infants thrive best on nothing but breast milk. Breast milk provides all of the nutrition your newborn requires during this phase of their life. Knowing that you don’t have to worry about feeding your baby anything other than breast milk during those first few hazy months is a big relief. 

Good nutrition and healthy eating habits begin from birth. The good news is that once you know what your baby needs, meeting their nutritional requirements is a breeze. Feeding is also a great opportunity to get to know your new baby.  
 
Although breast milk and/or formula will continue to be the primary sources of nutrition for your kid for the first 12 months, you will progressively introduce more nutrients in the form of solid meals. As a result, you may be feeling pressure to determine which foods to feed your baby and ensure she eats them as well — something that isn’t always easy to accomplish if your baby has a poor appetite. 

If you’re a new mom who wants to wean your child off breast milk but isn’t sure how or what to do next, the pediatricians and nutritionists with whom Sirwiss has partnered have some advice for you, so continue reading. 

Breastmilk or Formula? 

When you first begin nursing, you probably won’t have a firm idea of how long you’ll continue. The painful nipples, lack of sleep, and extended nursing sessions are all you will think about at the time. Then, however, you find your rhythm. You and your baby have finally settled into a routine with the nursing relationship. Some mothers even come to look forward to the quiet moments when they may sit down with their babies and nurse in peace and quiet.  

You may be wondering, “When am I supposed to stop?” if you and your baby have reached a point where nursing is going smoothly. Perhaps you’ve contemplated “extended breastfeeding” or considered discontinuing breastfeeding and starting the formula.  

In either case, your infant will have the following options at an early age: 

1. Breastfeeding: In the beginning, breastfed babies usually need to be fed every two to three hours. Your baby is probably getting enough if you find frequent wet and dirty diapers, he or she looks satisfied after feeding, and your healthcare provider says that your baby is growing well. 

2. Formula feeding: Babies should not be given cow’s milk until 1 year of age.  If you do not breastfeed, ask your healthcare provider about formula. Formula-fed babies usually eat every three to four hours. At one month old, most babies will eat 4 ounces of formula per feeding. This amount will increase to 6 to 8 ounces of formula by six months of age. The amount your baby eats may change from day to day and meal to meal as he or she goes through growth spurts 

Feeding Your Baby, The Right Way 

1. While feeding your baby, turn off the TV and give your baby all your attention.  

2. Hold your baby or sit with your baby and talk to your baby.  

3. Feeding is a special time for the two of you to enjoy getting to know each other.  

4. Do not water down breast milk or formula as this will prevent your baby from getting all of the energy and nutrients needed.  

5. Always mix formula by following the directions on the package.  

6. Only put breast milk or formula in bottles.  

7. Never prop a bottle or leave your baby to feed alone. This can lead to tooth decay, ear infections, or choking. 

How Much Should Babies Eat? 

Many infants reach a developmental milestone at around 7 months old where they are able to sleep through the night without waking for a feeding. (You should always get your pediatrician’s OK before beginning night weaning, but the choice to stop night feedings is ultimately yours.) Between the ages of seven months and one year, infants continue to rely on breast milk and/or formula for the majority of their nutritional needs, but they will also begin exploring solid foods with their hands and, eventually, their pincer grasp. What to expect from your baby’s diet between 7 months and 1 year. Remember that babies have different eating and feeding schedules. 

1. 7- and 8-month-olds may be eating about 24 to 36 ounces of breast milk or formula each day (four to six nursing sessions, if you’re breastfeeding), plus 4 to 9 tablespoons of cereal, fruit and vegetables daily as well as 1 to 6 tablespoons of meat/proteins. 

2. 9- to 10-month-olds may be eating about 24 to 30 ounces of breast milk and/or formula a day (three to five nursing sessions, if you’re breastfeeding), along with 1/4 to 1/2 cup each of grains, fruit, vegetables, dairy products and meat/protein foods.  

3. 11-month-olds may be taking 16 to 24 ounces a day of breast milk or formula a day (three to five nursing sessions, if you’re breastfeeding), though their diet will include more solids: 1/4 to 1/2 cup each of grains, fruit, vegetables, dairy products and meat/protein foods. 

4. 12-month-olds may be taking up to 24 ounces a day of breast milk or formula (three to five nursing sessions, if you’re breastfeeding), though many will start weaning from the bottle or breast around now and start drinking cow’s milk. In addition, they’ll eat 1/4 to 1/2 cup each of grains, fruit, vegetables, dairy products and meat/protein foods. 

Which Nutrients Serve the Greatest Purpose in a Baby’s Diet? 

There is no such thing as an “unimportant” nutrient, but some will be more prominent in your infant’s diet than others. Here are the essential nutrients for your growing child. (Be careful to serve the foods in age-appropriate preparations, introduce new foods one at a time, and keep a close eye on your baby if he or she tries any of the common allergies, such as nuts, dairy, or wheat.) 

Solid Foods 

Breastmilk or formula cannot offer all of your baby’s iron, zinc, vitamin C, and other minerals at six months of age. Now is the time to introduce solid foods that will give these nutrients while also teaching your baby about new flavors, textures, and eating abilities.  

If your baby is around six months old, these are some signs that he or she may be ready for solid foods: 

1. She can sit up with assistance and keep her head steady 

2. She recognizes food and opens her lips when a spoon approach 

3. She no longer pushes food out of her mouth 

4. She can swallow food by moving it to the back of her mouth with her tongue.  

Iron-fortified infant cereal or other iron-rich foods, such as pureed meats, are common first foods. Introduce iron-fortified rice cereal later and use it less regularly. The order in which foods are introduced after the first is unimportant. For 2 to 4 days, introduce one new single-ingredient food before introducing another.  

With each new food, keep an eye out for any reactions in your infant, such as diarrhea, rash, or vomiting. If you suspect your infant is having an allergic reaction, discontinue feeding the food and contact your doctor.  

Don’t stress out over portion control or serving counts. Instead, provide an enjoyable and stress-free environment for feeding your infant a variety of healthy foods. Then you can relax and observe the development of future healthy eating habits. 
 

Feeding Your Baby 

Make sure your baby is hungry, but not ravenous, when you introduce solid foods. This will help him focus on the task at hand and avoid becoming frustrated. 

1. Set him in a highchair with a safety strap. 

2. Use a small baby spoon taking half Spoonfuls of food. 

3. Place the spoon to your baby’s lips and let him take the lead. 

4. Watch for your baby to show signs that he is full. 

You Think Your Baby’s Not Eating Enough? 

Your child is probably eating enough if her growth is consistent with her own unique growth curve (not that of your friends’ newborns), which your pediatrician will measure using a growth chart. However, if you’re worried that your infant isn’t getting enough to eat, it’s best to discuss your concerns with your child’s doctor so that she may conduct a full evaluation or recommend a nutritionist or feeding center. 

Signs of Hunger and Fullness 

Your infant’s calorie demands vary by day and by meal, but she’ll learn to recognize when she’s full or hungry on her own. If your baby shows any of these indicators, it’s important to stop feeding her. 

Signs of Fullness 

1. Closing mouth tightly 

2. Stopping sucking, turning head, or letting go of nipple 

3. Becoming distracted or losing interest 

4. Pushing away spoon or bottle 

5. Falling asleep 

Signs of Hunger 

1. Squirming and stretching 

2. Moving fists toward mouth 

3. Looking more alert 

4. “Rooting” or moving her head and jaw looking for your breast 

5. Watching the spoon 

6. Opening mouth for the spoon or reaching for it 

Safety First 

1. Wash your and your baby’s hands before meals. 

2. Clean all bottles, dishes, and high-chair tables with hot, soapy water and rinse well. 

3. Never microwave a bottle or baby food; bottles may be set in a bowl of warm water if desired. 

4. Check the temperature of any warmed bottles to make sure they are not too hot. 

5. Throw away any breast milk or formula left in the bottle after feeding. 

6. Put baby food in a dish to feed rather than feeding from the jar. Throw away any food left in the dish after the feeding. 

If your baby is gagging: 

1. Their eyes may water 

2. They might push their tongue forward (or out of their mouth) 

3. They might retch to bring the food forward in their mouth or vomit 

Equipment Checklist 

1. Highchair. Your baby needs to be sitting safely in an upright position (so they can swallow properly). Always use a securely fitted safety harness in a highchair. Never leave babies unattended on raised surfaces. 

2. Plastic or pelican bibs. It’s going to be messy at first! 

3. Soft weaning spoons are gentler on your baby’s gums. 

4. Small plastic bowl. You may find it useful to get a special weaning bowl with a suction base to keep the bowl in place. 

5. First cup. Introduce a cup from around 6 months and offer sips of water with meals. Using an open cup or a free-flow cup without a valve will help your baby learn to sip and is better for their teeth. 

6. A messy mat or newspaper sheets under the highchair to catch most of the mess. 

7. Plastic containers and ice cube trays can be helpful for batch cooking and freezing small portions. 

Around the time your baby is 6 months old, you can begin introducing solid meals, often known as complementary feeding or weaning. Getting your infant habituated to the idea of eating is more important than worrying about how much he or she consumes at first. Breast milk or first infant formula will still provide the majority of their calories and nutrients. Starting at roughly 6 months of age, offering solid meals in addition to breast or formula milk will help establish a lifetime of healthy eating habits.