Feeding Baby: How Often and How to Feed Newborn | Midwife Tips

Feeding for Newborns

Helloooo!!🙃🙃 If you’re here, you’re probably trying to figure out the wonderful (and sometimes confusing) world of feeding your newborn.🍼 I know you’re wondering how often you should feed your little one, or you’re looking for tips on breastfeeding or bottle feeding, you are in the right place. I am here to help you through this journey with some practical advices.

Understanding Newborn Feeding Frequency

Let’s start with one of the most common questions: How often should you feed a newborn?

In the early days, your baby’s tummy is tiny—about the size of a cherry! That’s why newborns need to be fed frequently, usually every 1-2 hours, and sometimes up to 3 hours. In Turkey, we recommend feeding the baby on average every 1.5 to 2 hours. But here’s the golden rule: Don’t let them go more than 3 hours without feeding, especially in those first few weeks(like around 40days)

Signs Your Newborn is Hungry:

Rooting Reflex:

Your baby might turn their head and open their mouth when something touches their cheek. It’s their way of saying, “Feed me!”

Fussiness or Crying:

These are late hunger cues. Try to feed your baby before they reach this stage to keep things calm and stress-free.

Sucking on Hands:

If you notice your baby putting their hands in their mouth, it’s a good sign they’re ready to eat.

As your baby grows, you might notice they start feeding less frequently but take in more milk at each feeding. That’s completely normal—just follow their cues!

How to Feed a Newborn: Breastfeeding vs. Bottle Feeding

Now let’s talk about the “how” of feeding. Whether you’re breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or doing a mix of both, it’s important to know the right techniques to ensure your baby is feeding effectively and comfortably.

Breastfeeding: Getting it Right

Breastfeeding might look natural, but it can take some practice to get it right. Here’s how to start:

1. How to Hold the Breast:

C-Hold: Hold your breast in a “C” shape with your thumb on top and fingers underneath. This helps support the breast and guide it into your baby’s mouth.

Nipple Positioning:
Aim your nipple towards the roof of your baby’s mouth. Remember, it’s not just the very tip of the nipple that matters, but the darker area around it too. The key here is to get that darker part of the nipple (the areola) into your baby’s mouth. This helps them latch on deeply and comfortably, which is great for both of you—it reduces the chance of your nipple getting cracked or sore since they’re not just sucking on the tip.

If the darker part of your nipple is larger and your baby can’t get it all into their mouth, don’t worry! The goal is to avoid letting them suck on just the tip of your nipple. Guide as much of the areola into their mouth as possible—more is better in this case. Trust your instincts, trust your body, and trust your baby. You’ve got this!

Breathing space:

There is one last thing you need to pay attention to while all process is happening, ladies. Yes, air space. If the breast is too close to the baby's nose while sucking, baby cannot breathe. We definitely don’t want that! So, make sure to keep an eye on this. To prevent this, While you’re holding your breast in the “C” shape, use your index finger or thumb (whichever feels more comfortable for you) to gently lift your breast away from your baby’s nose.This will create a breathing space and ensure they can nurse comfortably and safely.

2. Finding the Right Position:

Cradle Hold: This is the classic position where your baby lies across your lap with their head supported by your arm.

Football Hold: Tuck your baby under your arm (like a football) with their body along your side and their head at your breast.

Side-Lying Position: Lie on your side with your baby facing you. This is a great position for nighttime feedings.

3.Timing is Key:
You should aim to keep your baby on the breast for at least 15-20 minutes. This ensures they get the full range of nutrients from both the foremilk and hindmilk, which are essential for their growth and satisfaction.

4.Turn the Boobs, Mama!

It’s important to alternate breasts with each feeding. This simple practice prevents one breast from bearing all the workload, which can even avoid mastitis. By switching sides, you help maintain balanced milk production in both breasts, while also giving any tender areas a chance to recover before the next feeding session. Plus, alternating helps ensure that both breasts are stimulated equally, supporting overall milk supply.

5.Boob Reserved!

If you’re blessed with twins and feeling a bit overwhelmed about breastfeeding, don’t worry—I’ve got you! Here’s a quick tip: If you’re breastfeeding both babies simultaneously, try using a different breast for each baby during each session. This helps maintain a balance in milk production and ensures that both babies are getting the nutrition they need. So roughly impolitely speaking, make sure that both of your breasts are in your baby's mouth😅 If you prefer to feed them one at a time, alternate which breast each baby starts with at every feeding. I’ll be writing a more detailed post on twins baby care soon, so stay tuned for more in-depth tips and strategies!

Bottle Feeding: Techniques and Tips

If you’re bottle feeding, here are some tips to make sure your baby is feeding comfortably:
But remember, we do not recommend bottle feeding for the first 6 months unless your doctor recommends otherwise. Excluding reasons such as mother-baby bonding and breast milk being healthier, the reason for this is that it causes jaw and palate structure disorders, just like pacifiers.

1.Choosing the Right Bottle:

Look for bottles with slow-flow nipples that mimic breastfeeding. This helps your baby control the flow of milk and reduces the risk of choking or overfeeding.

2..How to Hold the Bottle:

Hold the bottle at an angle so the milk fills the nipple completely. This helps prevent your baby from swallowing air, which can cause gas and fussiness.

3.Feeding Pace:

Practice paced bottle feeding by letting your baby take breaks and controlling the flow of milk. This mimics the natural rhythm of breastfeeding and helps prevent overeating.

Post-Feeding Care:

Whether you’re breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, it’s important not to lay your baby down immediately after feeding. Don’t skip the post-feeding routine—give your little one a gentle pat on the back to help them burp. Just like us adults, lying down right after eating isn’t recommended as it can lead to reflux, and the same goes for little angles. If they lie down too soon, they might be vomiting all that nutrient-rich milk, and we definitely want to avoid that! If you do need to lay your baby down right away, make sure to position them on their side with their head turned to the side as well. This helps prevent choking if they happen to spit up. You can also place a rolled-up sheet or blanket under their head to slightly elevate it, but make sure these items aren’t too soft or plush to avoid the risk of your baby sinking into them. There are special reflux pillows available for babies, which you can explore further if you’re interested.

When They Nod Off:

Sometimes, babies can be little sleepyheads while nursing. No matter what you do, they might just refuse to wake up—like they’re channeling their inner Sleepy Smurf, right? 😂 It’s honestly adorable, but our top priority is making sure they keep nursing. Don’t worry about their sleep—they’re practically in a competition with cats for the napping world record, maybe even giving koalas a run for their money! But first, let’s make sure they get all those essential nutrients tucked away in their tummies. 🍼

So, what do you do when your little one drifts off at the breast? Try one of these three tricks, ladies:

1. Give their heel a gentle squeeze:

This light touch can be enough to rouse them just enough to keep feeding. It’s like hitting the snooze button on their nap time!

2. Didn’t work? No worries!

Here’s another trick that not only annoys cats but works on newborns too—gently tap their nose. Yep, just a little boop on the nose! It’s a tiny wake-up call to remind them that there’s still some milk to enjoy. And don’t worry, they’ll be back to dreaming in no time after they’ve had their fill. 😄

3.Last Call Baby

Here’s the final tip—one that no baby can resist 😈(Sorry, little ones, but it’s for your own good!). Simply open and close their diaper. That little bit of cool air is usually all it takes to wake them up just enough to get back to nursing.

Remember, it’s all about making sure they’re well-fed before they drift back off to their cozy little dreams! That’s why we need to prevent them from falling asleep at the breast. This isn’t just important for ensuring they get enough nutrition; it’s also a crucial step in preventing the risk of choking during feeding.

Now, mamas, this tips especially for you:

No matter how your baby was delivered—whether through epidural, natural birth, or C-section—your body has been through a lot and it’s normal to experience pain or discomfort, which can sometimes make breastfeeding challenging. For those of you with stitches, sitting up straight to hold and nurse your baby might be difficult. The pain from the stitches can be intense, and adjusting to holding your baby can be a challenge for new moms. In these cases, we often recommend starting with side-lying breastfeeding for the first 15-20 sessions. Lie down next to your baby, turn them on their side, and position your breast close to their mouth without completely covering their nose. This can make the experience more comfortable for both of you as you heal and bond with your baby.

Little Helper: Nursing Pillow

Alright, mamas, here’s a more little secret weapon to make breastfeeding way more comfortable—a nursing pillow! Seriously, this is one of those things you’ll want to keep handy both at home and in your newborn bag. A nursing pillow props your baby up at just the right height, saving your arms, shoulders, and back from doing all the heavy lifting. Plus, it helps position your baby perfectly, turning those long feeding sessions into a breeze. Think of it as your new best friend for marathon feeds. Want to see some top picks? I’ve pilled up some of them in Amazon and linked it for you.

Handling Common Newborn Feeding Issues

Feeding your newborn isn’t always smooth sailing. Here’s how to handle some common issues:

1. What to Do if Your Newborn Feeds Too Much:

If your baby seems to be overeating, try paced feeding to slow down the flow of milk. Offer smaller amounts more frequently and watch for signs that they’re full, like turning away from the bottle or breast.

2. Feeding After Vomiting:

If your baby vomits, it’s usually okay to feed them again, but wait until they seem calm and comfortable. Start with a small amount to see how they tolerate it. If vomiting continues, or if you’re concerned, reach out to your healthcare services.

3. Ensuring a Proper Latch:

If breastfeeding, make sure your baby is latching correctly. A poor latch can lead to sore nipples for you and poor feeding for your baby. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from a lactation consultant if needed!

This is a well-known classic advice, but it is still useful to remind you. If you are breastfeeding, rest one breast between each feeding, dear mothers. For example, if you breastfed from your right breast this time, use your left breast for the next 2 hours. This will both prevent your nipples from getting sore and help you prevent mastitis (a breast inflammation disease) which can often occur after birth and is quite painful and distressing.

Feeding your newborn is one of the most important parts of early parenting, and it’s normal to have questions and concerns. Remember, every baby is different; what works for one may not work for another, and that’s okay! Trust your instincts, follow your baby’s cues, and know that you’re doing a great job. Remember that your mood is the most important thing. Don’t forget to reward yourself and take time for yourself to bond with your baby more healthily. Remember, baby feels. well, that’s all for now mommies!!. see you soon byeee🌟