Providing for your baby’s nourishment is more than
just a dietary issue. It also has something to do with
comfort and nurturing. A multitude of first-time
parents have, in fact, turned to various "my first
baby" books and guides for some advice on feeding
their babies. Apart from being an excellent way to
increase parent-and-baby bonding time, it’s also a
wonderful opportunity to just talk to your little
bundle of joy.
Since it is your first-time to care for your baby, you
definitely need to get hold of all the useful feeding
tips you can muster. For starters, take a crack at
learning some of the basics of feeding your newborn.
Bottle Feeding
If you choose to feed your newborn with bottled milk,
make sure that you prepare everything you need in
advance. Just not so far ahead, though, because
feeding your little one with spoiled milk is
definitely a big "no-no" in parenting.
Remember to have the bottled formula or breast milk at
the temperature your baby can tolerate. This can range
from lukewarm to room temperature. It is also
important to avoid using the microwave for heating the
milk up. Doing so will produce hotspots that can
injure your baby even if you’ve already checked the
liquid’s temperature.
When feeding time comes, hold your baby on your lap
while supporting his or her head in the bend of your
arm. Try to switch sides from time to time, as you
would when breastfeeding, so as to supply ample
stimulation on both hemispheres of the brain.
Place the bottle nipple into the baby’s mouth as soon
as he or she turns to root. See to it that the nipple
is filled with milk as the baby has a tendency to gulp
down too much air from a half-filled nipple. To
terminate a feeding session, simply remove the bottle
from your baby’s mouth.
Breastfeeding
One good thing about breastfeeding is the fact that
you’re not required to prepare the milk or warm the
feeding bottle in advance. Plus, you can pick out any
position you want to nurse in. The appropriate feeding
positions, however, may vary according to the baby’s
age, the time of day, and your level of comfort.
Many mothers make use of the cradle hold when
breastfeeding. This well-liked feeding position
requires you to sit upright and hold your little one
like a cradle. In addition, it also allows you to
cuddle your baby with one hand, and move or support
your breast with the other. Regardless of what nursing
position you choose, don’t forget to acquire some
support. A nursing pillow or any regular cushion will
certainly make it easier for you to hold the baby up
and to prevent neck or back strain. When it comes to
baby placement, an excellent latch is one of the most
vital parts of a comfortable feeding session. Your
little bundle of joy should be chin-to-breast and
belly-to-belly with you.
To ensure that the feeding is going well, check if the
baby’s lips are flared around your breast. You may
also pull his or her lower lip down a little to see if
the tongue is coiled around the areola. You can also
hear the baby swallow or notice his or her ears
wiggling during active feeding. In case you need to
change sides or if the feeding session has to end,
simply slide a finger in one corner of the baby’s
mouth to tenderly interrupt the suction.
Needless to say, first-time parents are not really
expected to impeccably perform the feeding process the
first time around. So try to be patient and give
yourself a break every now and then. Keeping a
positive outlook on parenting and taking advantage of
all the available "my first baby" resources will also
help you a lot.
"My First Baby" Feeding Guide
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