The major health organizations - including the American Academy
of Pediatrics (AAP), American Medical Association (AMA), the
American Dietetic Association (ADA), and the World Health
Organization (WHO) - agree that
breast milk
is the ideal form of nutrition for babies (especially during the
first 6 months). However, it's your choice to decide what's
best for you and your baby. And commercially prepared formulas are
designed and strictly regulated to provide the nutrients your baby
needs.
Whether you've decided to formula feed your baby from the
start, are supplementing your breast milk with formula, or are
switching from breast milk to formula, you're bound to have
questions. Here are answers to some common inquiries about formula
feeding.
How can I tell when my baby is hungry?
It's generally recommended that babies be fed whenever
they seem hungry, which is called
demand feeding (or feeding on demand)
.
And if your baby is very young, or having problems gaining
weight, you shouldn't go too long without feeding, even if it means
waking your baby. In this case, talk to your doctor about how often
your baby should be fed.
Despite what some new parents might think, crying is a
late
sign of hunger. You should try to feed before your baby gets so
hungry that he or she gets really upset and becomes difficult to
calm down. It's also important, however, to realize that
every time your baby cries it is
not
necessarily because of hunger. Sometimes babies just need to be
cuddled or changed. Or they could be overstimulated, bored, or too
hot or too cold.
One way to tell if your baby is, indeed, ready to eat is to
check the clock. If your baby is crying only an hour after a good
feeding, there may be something else causing the distress.
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)
Watch your little one's cues so that you're feeding when
your baby is showing signs of hunger, which is usually every 2-3
hours during the newborn period. As your baby gets a little bigger
and can take bigger feedings, this stretches out to every 3-4
hours.
How often should I make my baby's bottles?
Some parents opt to make a bottle just before each feeding, but
many others choose to pre-make and refrigerate enough to use for
the day. If you know your baby eats every 3-4 hours, for instance,
you can make six to eight bottles to last you all day.
Mix your baby's formula in 2- or 3-ounce (60- or
90-milliliter) servings for the first few weeks and gradually
increase the amount as you become familiar with your baby's
eating patterns and appetite. Remember to refrigerate it
immediately after mixing.
If your baby is staying with a caregiver for a long period of
time, you may want to prepare just one or two bottles and leave
instructions and supplies (bottles, nipples, formula, and water, if
necessary) so the caregiver can prepare bottles as needed and not
waste any formula. After all, you'll need to throw away any
mixed formula after 24 hours.
Is my baby eating enough?
Babies grow at different rates, and at times you may wonder
whether your baby is getting enough nutrients to develop properly.
Here's a general look at how much your baby may be eating at
different stages:
- On average, a newborn consumes about 1.5-3 ounces (45-90
milliliters) every 2-3 hours. 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 4-5 ounces
(120-150 milliliters) at each feeding and the feedings may be
every 3-4 hours.
- At 4 months, your baby may be taking 4-6 ounces (120-180
milliliters), depending on the frequency of feedings and his or
her size.
- By 6 months, your baby's formula intake can be between
24-32 ounces (720-950 milliliters). This also depends on whether
you've introduced any baby food.
Your newborn's diapers are another good indicator of when
your baby is getting plenty to eat. You'll probably be changing
at least six wet and four dirty (soiled or "poopy")
diapers each day at first.
Newborns' stools (or poop) are thick and tarry in the
beginning and then become 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 -
these can be a sign of inadequate fluid intake or
dehydration
.
Other possible signs of underfeeding include:
- not gaining enough weight
- seeming unsatisfied, even after a complete feeding
To help determine whether your baby is eating enough, follow the
schedule of regular well-child checkups so that your little one can
be weighed and measured. If you're concerned or notice any
signs that your baby isn't getting enough nutrients, call your
doctor.
Why does my baby seem hungrier than usual?
As babies gain weight, they should begin to eat more at each
feeding and go longer between feedings. Still, there may be times
when your little one seems hungrier than usual.
Your baby may be going through a period of rapid growth (called
a
growth spurt
). These can happen at any time, but in the early months growth
spurts often occur at around:
- 7-14 days old
- between 3-6 weeks
- 4 months
- 6 months
During these times and whenever your baby seems especially
hungry, follow his or her hunger cues and continue to feed on
demand, increasing the amount of formula you give as needed.
Reviewed by:
Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: March 2009
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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