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Breast or Bottle, Follow Your Baby’s Cues
Feeding is supposed to be a time for you and your baby to bond, but instead it is often the source of anxiety for new moms. Below are several pointers to help you relax and enjoy this special time.
- Your baby is a much better indicator than a clock for telling you when it is feeding time. Several signs include crying, nuzzling against your breast, making sucking motions and fussing.
- Bottle-fed newborns will take about two to three ounces of formula per feeding and will eat every three to four hours during the first couple of weeks. During the first month, if your baby sleeps longer than four to five hours at a time, wake her up and offer a bottle.
- Near the end of the first month, your baby should be up to at least four ounces per feeding on a fairly regular schedule. Increase that amount by one ounce per month until she reaches eight ounces. If your baby consistently seems to want more or less than this, discuss it with your pediatrician.
- On average, your baby should take in about two and one-half ounces of formula a day for every pound of body weight. This may vary from day to day as she regulates her intake to meet her needs.
Is Your Baby Getting Enough Breast Milk?
For the first couple of days following your baby’s birth, you may only produce about one half ounce of milk at each feeding. Don’t worry, this is normal. Within four to five days it will increase up to an ounce per feeding. Depending on the size and appetite of your baby and the length of each feeding, the volume of milk you produce will increase dramatically over the first week following the birth. By the end of your baby’s first month, she should be receiving an average of 24 to 32 ounces of milk every day.
Your baby’s diaper is one indicator of whether or not she is getting enough milk. During the first month, if her diet is adequate, she should be wetting anywhere from six to eight times a day and have several small bowel movements daily (usually a little one after each feeding).
Another indicator is your baby’s weight. Weigh her once every week or two, and figure that once your milk supply is in, your baby should gain about two-thirds an ounce a day during her first three months. Your baby’s growth rate will taper off to about one half ounce a day between three to six months. After six months, it will drop even further. If your baby is gaining less or you still have concerns, discuss the issue with your pediatrician. |
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