Newborns' poop is thick and tarry in the beginning and then becomes more yellow or green as they get older. Formula-fed babies often have firmer, less seedy stools than breast-fed babies. Wet diapers should have clear or very pale urine. If you see orange crystals in a wet diaper, contact your baby's doctor. Crystals are usually not a cause for concern, but sometimes they can be a sign of a baby not getting enough fluid or of dehydration.
Other possible signs of underfeeding include:. If you're concerned or notice any signs that your baby isn't getting enough nutrition, call your doctor.
Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. How often should I feed my baby? How do I know my baby is hungry? Signs that babies are hungry include: moving their heads from side to side opening their mouths sticking out their tongues placing their hands, fingers, and fists to their mouths puckering their lips as if to suck nuzzling again their mothers' breasts showing the rooting reflex when a baby moves its mouth in the direction of something that's stroking or touching its cheek crying Despite what you might think, crying is a late sign of hunger.
Here's a general look at how much your baby may be eating at different stages: On average, a newborn drinks about 1. This amount increases as your baby grows and is able to take more at each feeding. At about 2 months , your baby may be taking ounces milliliters at each feeding and the feedings may be every hours. Buying bottle feeding equipment You'll need several bottles, teats and a bottle brush, as well as sterilising equipment, such as a cold-water steriliser, microwave or steam steriliser.
Making up bottles for your baby Make sure you sterilise bottles and teats until your baby is at least 12 months old. How to bottle feed your baby Bottle feeding is a chance to feel close to your baby and get to know and bond with them. Always give your baby plenty of time to feed. Do not leave your baby alone Never leave your baby alone to feed with a propped-up bottle as they may choke on the milk. If the teat gets blocked, replace it with another sterile teat.
Be guided by your baby All babies are different. Feed your baby when they seem hungry and do not worry if they do not finish the bottle. Winding your baby Your baby may take short breaks during a feed and may sometimes need to burp. Throw away unused milk Throw away any unused formula or breast milk after you've finished bottle feeding your baby.
Only make up the feed when needed — one feed at a time. Help with bottle feeding Talk to your midwife, health visitor or other mothers who have bottle fed if you need help and support. Your questions about bottle feeding Why if my baby does not settle after feeds? If your baby swallows air while bottle feeding, they may feel uncomfortable and cry. Your baby may sometimes only burp up a small amount of air.
Why is my baby sometimes sick after feeds? Keep a muslin square handy just in case. Sitting your baby upright on your lap after a feed may help. Can formula make my baby constipated? When using formula, always use the amount of powder recommended on the packaging.
Your baby should be gaining weight and have plenty of wet and dirty nappies. Infant formula and allergies If you think your baby might be allergic to or intolerant of formula, talk to your GP.
Soya formula should only be given to babies under medical supervision. Always talk to your GP before using hypoallergenic or soya-based formula. Breastfeeding requires a big time commitment from mothers, especially in the beginning, when babies feed often. A breastfeeding schedule or the need to pump breast milk during the day can make it harder for some moms to work, run errands, or travel.
And breastfed babies do need to eat more often than babies who take formula, because breast milk digests faster than formula. This means mom may find herself in demand every 2 or 3 hours maybe more, maybe less in the first few weeks. Women who are breastfeeding need to be aware of what they eat and drink, since these can be passed to the baby through the breast milk. Just like during pregnancy, breastfeeding women should not eat fish that are high in mercury and should limit consumption of lower mercury fish.
If a mom drinks alcohol, a small amount can pass to the baby through breast milk. She should wait at least 2 hours after a single alcoholic drink to breastfeed to avoid passing any alcohol to the baby. Caffeine intake should be kept to no more than milligrams about one to three cups of regular coffee or less per day because it can cause problems like restlessness and irritability in some babies.
Maternal medical conditions, medicines, and breast surgery. Medical conditions such as HIV or AIDS or those that involve chemotherapy or treatment with certain medicines can make breastfeeding unsafe. A woman should check with her doctor or a lactation consultant if she's unsure if she should breastfeed with a specific condition. Women should always check with the doctor about the safety of taking medicines while breastfeeding, including over-the-counter and herbal medicines.
Mothers who've had breast surgery, such as a reduction, may have difficulty with their milk supply if their milk ducts have been severed. In this situation, a woman should to talk to her doctor about her concerns and work with a lactation specialist. Commercially prepared infant formulas are a nutritious alternative to breast milk, and even contain some vitamins and nutrients that breastfed babies need to get from supplements.
Manufactured under sterile conditions, commercial formulas attempt to duplicate mother's milk using a complex combination of proteins, sugars, fats, and vitamins that aren't possible to create at home. So if you don't breastfeed your baby, it's important to use only commercially prepared formula and not try to make your own. Besides medical concerns that may prevent breastfeeding, for some women, breastfeeding may be too difficult or stressful.
Here are other reasons women may choose to formula feed:. Either parent or another caregiver can feed the baby a bottle at any time although this is also true for women who pump their breast milk. This allows mom to share the feeding duties and helps her partner to feel more involved in the crucial feeding process and the bonding that often comes with it. Once the bottles are made, a formula-feeding mother can leave her baby with a partner or caregiver and know that her little one's feedings are taken care of.
There's no need to pump or to schedule work or other obligations and activities around the baby's feeding schedule.
And formula-feeding moms don't need to find a private place to nurse in public. Because formula is less digestible than breast milk, formula-fed babies usually need to eat less often than breastfed babies. Women who opt to formula feed don't have to worry about the things they eat or drink that could affect their babies. As with breastfeeding, there are some challenges to consider when deciding whether to formula feed. Lack of antibodies. None of the antibodies found in breast milk are in manufactured formula.
So formula can't provide a baby with the added protection against infection and illness that breast milk does. Can't match the complexity of breast milk. Manufactured formulas have yet to duplicate the complexity of breast milk, which changes as the baby's needs change. Planning and organization. Unlike breast milk — which is always available, unlimited, and served at the right temperature — formula feeding your baby requires planning and organization to make sure that you have what you need when you need it.
Parents must buy formula and make sure it's always on hand to avoid late-night runs to the store. And it's important to always have the necessary supplies like bottles and nipples clean, easily accessible, and ready to go — otherwise, you will have a very hungry, very fussy baby to answer to.
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