Feeding (General)

Feeding is one your baby’s first pleasant experiences. The baby’s first love for his mother arises primarily from the feeding situation. At feeding time, the baby receives physical nourishment form the food and emotional nourishment from his parent’s love. The food, correctly taken, helps him grow healthy and strong. The parent’s love, generously given, helps him to feel secure and trusting. To help your baby get both kinds of nourishment, feed your baby in a comfortable place. This will help you feel calm and relaxed through the feeding. Hold your baby in your arms, close to your body, with his head slightly raised. Enjoy the closeness that feeding time allows by touching and talking to your baby.

"Burping"
“Burping” your baby helps remove swallowed air. Even when fed properly, both bottle- and breast-fed babies usually swallow some air. It isn’t always necessary to interrupt a feeding to “burp” your baby, but do it after each feeding. Sometimes, your baby may not “burp”, so don’t force him.

To “burp” your baby, hold him upright over your shoulder or place him face down across your lap and gently pat or rub his back, until he lets go of the air. You can also “burp” your baby by holding him in a sitting position, leaning slightly forward, on your lap. One hand should support his head and stomach, while the other pats his back.

Water
It is not necessary to give your newborn baby water unless advised by your baby’s health care provider. Babies get all the water they need in breast milk or formula. An ounce or less may be offered to relieve hiccups, if needed. If you are breast-feeding, wait until your baby is 2-3 weeks old before offering any bottles.

Vitamins
It is now recommended that exclusively breastfed infants receive a vitamin supplement such as TriViSol™. Formula fed infants do not additional vitamin supplements. Your baby’s health care provider will tell you if a supplement is necessary. Fluoride drops are not recommended in newborns.

Solid foods
Solid foods (rice cereal, jarred baby foods) should not be introduced until 6 months of age. Starting solids earlier than this tends to increase the number of fat cells and increase the risk of allergies. Breast milk or formula will give babies the balanced nutrition they need for optimal growth and development.

"Spitting Up"
Most babies spit up. They may spit up just a mouthful or an amount that looks like an entire feeding. If you baby spits up often but continues to gain weight and seems happy and content between feedings, it is not a problem. A baby who spits up his entire feeding several times per day or has any projectile vomiting may have a serious problem. Report this to your baby’s health care provider.