Nurturing Your Newborn: Essential Feeding and Care Tips for the First Month
Discover How to Establish Healthy Feeding Patterns and Support Your Baby’s Early Growth Spurts
The first four weeks of your baby’s life is a foundational time for both of you to start understanding each other. It's when you’ll begin to recognize signs that your baby is hungry, tired, or needs a diaper change. Remember, it’s important to also take care of your own well-being during this time. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help — contact your healthcare provider whenever you have questions or concerns about newborn care or infant health.
Return to Birth Weight
Newborns typically lose about 5 to 10 percent of their birth weight within the first few days but are expected to regain it by the two-week mark. During this period, it's vital to ensure that your baby is waking for feedings every 2 to 3 hours during the day and every 3 to 4 hours at night until they’ve regained their birth weight and are gaining weight steadily.
As they grow, their awake periods will naturally extend. Once your baby has returned to birth weight and is gaining adequately, you can allow them longer sleep stretches at night, always confirming with your child’s healthcare provider before making any changes to their feeding schedule.
Feeding Your Baby the First Month
Breastfeeding Your Newborn:
In the first month, you might find yourself nursing as often as 8 to 12 times in a 24-hour period. It's crucial to feed on demand to establish a good milk supply and encourage proper growth. Here are some strategies:
Daytime Feedings: After they return to birth weight, continue to feed on demand, expecting to feed your baby every 1 to 3 hours. Even if not prompted by your baby, ensure regular feedings to establish your milk supply and shift more feedings to the daytime.
Nighttime Feedings: Continue to feed on demand. Initially, you might be feeding every 2 to 4 hours. Once your baby is back to birth weight and gaining weight consistently, nighttime feedings may not require waking them, pending approval from your healthcare provider.
The principle of frequent, effective feedings to enhance milk production is a fundamental aspect of lactation. Ensure each feeding is substantial; this involves letting your baby nurse thoroughly on one breast before switching sides to access the calorie-rich hind-milk, crucial for their growth and brain development.
Formula Feeding Your Newborn:
The frequency of feedings might initially mirror that of breastfeeding, with your newborn needing to feed approximately every 2 to 3 hours. As your baby grows and returns to birth weight, you can expect the feeding frequency to adjust.
Understanding Cluster Feeding and Growth Spurts
Cluster feeding, common in both breastfed and formula-fed newborns, typically occurs during growth spurts. This pattern where a newborn feeds more frequently over several hours is believed to help settle them from a stimulating day and increase milk intake before a longer sleep.
Your baby is likely to have three significant growth spurts at around 2 days, 7 to 10 days, and again at 2 to 3 weeks. During these times, expect increased hunger and more frequent, longer feedings.
Feedings can feel overwhelming at first, but with support from a MissPoppins lactation specialist and a solid understanding of newborn feeding patterns, you will find a rhythm that works for both you and your baby. If you struggle, remember that help is available, and taking care of yourself is just as important as caring for your newborn.
