Feeding

BOTTLE FEEDING BY THE NUMBERS (Newborns and Infants)

  1. Introduction - Feeding Tips for Newborns

    Feed newborns every 2 to 3 hours. Though, as babies grow, they can go longer between feedings. Babies feed better when calm. Before feeding, dress baby comfortably and check their diaper. This sets a good feeding environment. Feeding is a great bonding time. Invest time and attention during feedings to connect with your baby.

  2. Preparation -

    • Wash your hands, man!

    • If bottle feeding, either breast milk or formula you can warm the liquid that’s in a bottle by putting it in a bowl of hot water. Let it reach lukewarm or room temperature. It should not be warmer than room temperature because it could burn your baby. Do not heat bottles in the microwave.

    • The best and most time proven method of testing temperature is to drop some on your wrist. You should feel warmth but not heat.

    • Make sure you’ve got the correctly sized nipple on the bottle. Typically the nipples will have a number imprinted on the bottle.

      • 0 = Extra Slow: For use from birth.

      • 1 = Slow: For newborns and babies below three months.

      • 2 = Medium: For babies aged three months and up.

      • 3 = Fast: For babies aged six months and up.

  3. Ready! - Now you’re ready to go. Again, relax! Sit in a comfortable position. Hold your baby in the curve of your arm close to your body. Hold their head and back tilted up

  4. Hold the bottom of the bottle at an angle, so the human milk or formula fills the nipple. This keeps your baby from sucking in air and prevent a gassy baby

  5. Feed your baby and stop as needed, they’ll give you signs. Let them eat until they show signs that they are full (this includes turning away from the bottle, relaxing suddenly, burping a lot or getting distracted. The amount your baby eats depends on their age.

  6. Burp the baby Put a towel or burp cloth under their chin. Hold them in a sitting position with your hand on their chest supporting their chin or cradle them against your chest. Gently rub or pat their back until they burp. This may take a few moments. Don’t be alarmed if they spit up a bit. This is normal.

  7. What to Expect - If the baby chokes or gags when feeding sit them up and let them expel whatever caused the reaction. If they’re coughing they’re clearing the formula/milk that caused the obstruction. Wipe them off and continue. If they’re doing it often, size down a

SOLID FEEDING BY THE NUMBERS (4-6 Months)

  • Your care provider/doctor will inform you of when you can begin solid foods for your child.

  • Introduction - Usually, solid meals begin with one solid meal a day and breast milk/formula constituting the main source of nutrition for the first year. Whether this meal is the first, middle, last, in between is up to you and the preference of your child. Don’t force foods. They’ll guide you to what they like and what they don’t. The first meals will consist of very little, a teaspoon or two to acclimate them to solid foods.

  • Amounts - See Chart Below

  • What to Avoid!

    • Honey

    • Sugary treats

    • Unpasteurized foods

    • Smoked or Cured Meats

    • High Mercury Fish

  • Choking Hazards

    • Uncooked raisins

    • Whole peas (unless they’re smashed)

    • Whole grapes

    • Raw firm-fleshed veggies (carrots, bell peppers) 

    • Raw firm-fleshed fruit (apples, unripe pears)

    • Chunks of meat or poultry

    • Popcorn

    • Nuts

    • Chunks of peanut butter

    • Hot dogs

    • Chewing gum

1) What you’ll need

  • Small bowl or plate

  • Place Mat

  • Baby Utensils

  • Cloth for cleaning up/wipes

2) Tips for food preparation

  • Mix cereals and mashed cooked grains with breast milk, formula, or water to make it smooth and easy for your baby to swallow.

  • Mash or puree vegetables, fruits and other foods until they are smooth.

  • Hard fruits and vegetables, like apples and carrots, usually need to be cooked so they can be easily mashed or pureed.

  • Cook food until it is soft enough to easily mash with a fork.

  • Remove all fat, skin, and bones from poultry, meat, and fish, before cooking.

  • Remove seeds and hard pits from fruit, and then cut the fruit into small pieces.

  • Cut soft food into small pieces or thin slices.

  • Cut cylindrical foods like hot dogs, sausage and string cheese into short thin strips instead of round pieces that could get stuck in the airway.

  • Cut small spherical foods like grapes, cherries, berries and tomatoes into small pieces.

  • Cook and finely grind or mash whole-grain kernels of wheat, barley, rice, and other grains.

3) Ready?

Put the amount of solid food you plan to give into a bowl. Do not feed baby right from the jar if you’re using prepared foods because this may cause the remaining food to spoil faster. Cover the jar, place it in the refrigerator and use it within 2 days.

  • A high chair or feeding chair should be used when you feed your baby. Always secure baby safely in the high chair using the seat strap. Never leave your baby alone in the high chair.

  • Put a small amount of food on the tip of the spoon. Let your baby taste it. If he spits it out, place the food midway back on his tongue and let him swallow it. Have patience and let him learn how to swallow. Feed him slowly, allowing plenty of time to swallow the food. Remember, feeding will take time and be messy for a while.

  • Never, ever, force your baby to eat. If baby is finished, stop offering food and try again at the next meal. It may take 10 to 20 tries before a food is accepted.

  • Throw away any leftover food in the bowl after your baby is finished eating. Your baby may be finished eating if he does the following:

  • Becomes distracted when eating

  • Turns his head or closes his mouth

  • Cries

  • Spits out food

How Much?

While every baby is different, the below chart is for prep references and the average of what a baby will consume each day.