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The facts on feeding your baby are simple. But, how you
choose to feed your baby, bottle or breast, is a decision you
alone must make. Do not listen to pressure from outside sources
that tell you that you “must” choose one way or another in order
to be a “good mom,” or that you are “doing harm to your baby” if
you opt against what they tell you. The important thing is to
get on a baby feeding schedule because feeding babies is like
clockwork! The fact is, your baby needs food. If you give your
baby the nutrition she needs, you are a good mom. Whatever form
of feeding you choose, the most important thing to consider is
the gentle, tender cuddling you provide for your baby during the
feeding. Feeding babies is a way for moms to bond and learn what
pleases their baby. Mother’s milk is the complete and perfect
food, and is nothing short of miraculous. But if you choose to
feed formula, it's ok. You are not doing irreparable harm to
your baby. While breastfeeding is preferred by most
pediatricians, there are women who are unable to successfully
nurse their babies. There are mothers who are unable to sustain
the short intervals of breast feeding that a baby feeding
schedule requires. There are tons of online baby feeding
products to substitute mother's milk. And, a ton of online baby
feeding accessories too. But, just stick to a baby feeding guide
that focuses on nutrition, and you'll be ok.
A baby feeding guide will tell you that parents will feed
their babies on a 2-3 hour schedule that is a somewhat flexible
routine based on cues the baby gives when it cries. Crying is a
late hunger cue, so don’t assume that your baby doesn’t need
food until she cries. Some newborns can go 5-6 hours between
baby feeding schedules, which is entirely inadequate for their
nutritional needs. This is why solely following baby’s cues may
lead to a sickly, undernourished baby who has failure to thrive.
Under-fed babies often lack the strength to cry and thus don’t
get fed at the appropriate intervals.
The best way to establish a reliable schedule is to set up a
baby feeding chart. You establish the routine. Normally,
newborns can go between 2.5-3 hours between feedings. This
depends upon their birth weight. This time is counted from the
beginning of one feeding to the beginning of the next feeding. A
baby feeding chart can simply help you keep track of one feeding
to the next. In this way, you can determine what feeding
schedule your baby is comfortable with.
If you are nursing your baby, allow the baby to latch on to
your breast appropriately. Your baby will receive foremilk
first, a watery thin milk with little nutritive value. As your
baby drinks the foremilk, you will experience letdown in which
your glands will release the rest of the milk stored in them.
The milk your baby now gets is the hindmilk, it is rich, fatty,
and full of nutrients. The best indication that you’ve achieved
letdown is the consistent and rhythmic swallowing as your baby
nurses. Once your milk comes in, most mothers have success
nursing for 15 minutes per side, which permits baby to receive
the hindmilk she needs to grow strong and healthy.
Knowing the facts on feeding your baby allows you to create your
own baby feeding guide that leads to a successful baby feeding
schedule. Feeding babies isn't rocket science. Establishing a
easy to use baby feeding chart helps you follow that feeding
schedule for a happy and healthy baby!
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