Feeding is a great time to nurture your baby. When you feed your baby at a comfortable pace, baby can let you know, “I need a break” or “I’m full”. Letting your baby set the pace means less chance of overfeeding, gas, stomach discomfort, and spitting up.
- Is baby hungry? Feed baby when you see hunger cues . . .
- Keeps hands near mouth
- Bends arms and legs toward body
- Makes sucking noises
- Puckers lips
- Searches for nipple (roots)
- Feed baby. Here are 5 easy tips to feeding baby . . .
- Always hold your baby and the bottle when feeding.
- Hold your baby almost upright.
- Brush the bottle nipple across baby’s upper lip. Wait for baby’s mouth to open.
- Hold the bottle in an almost flat position. The nipple will be only partly full. This keeps the milk from pouring into baby’s mouth.
- Let your baby pause and take breaks every few sucks. Your baby will feed for about 15–20 minutes.
- Is baby full? Don’t try to get your baby to finish the bottle. Watch for fullness cues . . .
- Sucks slower or stops sucking
- Relaxes hands and arms
- Turns away from nipple
- Pushes away
- Falls asleep