Is My Baby Feeding Properly?

A common worry among new parents is making sure their newborns are getting enough to eat. We want to make sure they are happy and healthy, and that their growth progresses at a satisfying pace. That being said, every baby is different, so you need to judge for yourself how things are going.

baby-feeding-properly Trust your instincts, and listen to reliable sources of information like your doctor, your baby’s paediatrician, perhaps your community nurse or lactation consultant, if you’ve chosen to breastfeed.

Remember, if you are breastfeeding - yes, it is a beautiful, natural act but one that moms and babies often need help to figure out at first, so by all means take advantage of the many resources available, you and your baby will both benefit!

If you aren’t certain how to judge if your baby is getting enough to eat, or if you are asking a professional for advice and need information to pass along to them, here are a few questions you can ask yourself:

how happily is your baby feeding? i.e., calm, fussy?
how often is your baby feeding?
how long is your baby feeding if breastfeeding?
or, if bottle-feeding, how much is your baby taking?
how many wet diapers does your baby have in a day?

And here are a few questions you may also want to discuss with your chosen advisor:

why is my baby feeding, but keeps falling asleep?
why is my baby feeding more all of a sudden?
what should I expect for the next stage of my baby’s development when it comes to feeding? i.e., when might I notice big changes in how much my baby is feeding, or when might I notice a big drop off in appetite?
what are my options as my baby gets older?

Make sure that if you are breastfeeding, you talk to others who have done extended breastfeeding. Always keep your mind open, and do what is right for you. If you don’t feel like it’s time to stop breastfeeding, don’t! Extended breastfeeding can be very beneficial to older babes and young toddlers!

And even the most pragmatic of us can be caught worrying about things like:

why is my friend’s baby feeding more often/less often than mine?
why is my sister’s baby gaining weight faster than mine?

Okay, those were trick questions. All babies are different! Their birth weights were likely different, their growth rates will be different, their appetites will be different. Don’t worry about how much another baby seems to be eating! Worry only about your own baby, and even then, make sure it’s more healthy concern than worry.

Most babies eat, gain and grow at the pace they are supposed to, without a whole lot of fussing from us. Relax and enjoy the quiet times you spend feeding your baby. Often they can become a bonding time that you will remember fondly.

Remember that these early stages don’t last forever. You’ll obsess over your baby feeding properly in the early months, but before you know it you’ll be watching a happy baby feeding himself!

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About the Author

Writer, wife, mom, fueled by chocolate, coffee & laughter. Published in online media, nationally and internationally, my specialties include: freelance writing, community management, social media devouring, relationship building, and mildly obsessive editing. Community Manager for @EverythingMom. Founder of Mocha Creative Works - see www.mochacreativeworks.com for business/portfolio site.

Posted by Jen Taylor in behaviour on July 01, 2010

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Comments

0 # CA 2010-07-18 10:43

Great tips. I found, even after 3 kids, I obsessed over each one. So these don't just apply to first time moms.

I also found out stress caused issues with my milk so trying to remain calm about the whole issue helped too (though easier said than done)

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0 # littlemissmocha 2010-07-18 12:12

Thanks, CA! And yes, learning to relax about it all helps a great deal, and it doesn't always happen easily! We moms need to see those feeding times as a break for ourselves too. I found setting up a comfy spot to nurse and watching DVDs helped me forget about worrying about the actual feeding...which meant it would actually end up being easier and a better meal for babe! It also helped me relax, not rush my babes, and find a few moments for some feel-good tv. All good things.