Cradle Hold
Feeding Basics
Learn about the typical feeding routines of a newborn baby. As you read, keep in mind that every baby is different, and yours may eat a little more or a little less than what is outlined here. If you have any questions or concerns about your baby’s eating habits, your baby’s doctor will be there to help.
What Does My Baby Eat?
Your newborn should only eat breast milk or formula. At around 6 months, you will begin introducing solid foods (in addition to breast milk or formula). You do not need to give your baby any additional water or food before then. The only supplement you may need to give your baby is vitamin D. Your baby’s doctor will give you more information on this.
How Do I Know if My Baby Is Hungry?
When your baby is hungry, they might:
Cry
Suck on their hands or fingers
Turn toward you when you touch their face
Make sucking noises
Nuzzle against your chest
Stick out their tongue
For more guidance on how and when to feed your baby, learn about responsive feeding at HealthyChildren.org.
How Much Should My Baby Eat?
Breastfed Babies
Follow your baby’s hunger cues. Breastfed babies typically eat every two to three hours (including overnight) for 10 to 15 minutes on each breast.
FORMULA-FED BABIES
Like with breastfeeding, follow your baby’s hunger cues. Formula-fed babies start by eating 1 to 2 ounces every two to three hours. Over time, they will eat more at each feeding and go longer between feedings.
Keep in mind that your baby’s tummy is very small and can’t hold very much at once. It’s important to avoid overfeeding your baby. If your baby turns away or stops latching on, they’re probably full. No need to insist!
How Do I Know if My Baby Is Getting Enough Milk?
The best way to make sure your baby is eating enough is to check for six wet diapers a day and to track their weight with their doctor.
Quick Guide
Follow your baby’s hunger cues but expect the following general eating guidelines:
breastfed babies
8–12 feedings per day
Nursing sessions every 2-3 hours for
20-30 minutes per feeding
FORMULA-FED BABIES
1–3 oz. formula every 2–4 hours
First few weeks
At least 4 oz. every 4 hours
1 month old
24–32 oz. over 4–5 feedings a day
By 6 months old
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is the natural way to feed your baby, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. It’s a learning process for you and your baby, and it may take weeks before you get the hang of it—and that’s normal! If you’re feeling lost or confused along the way, there are many people who can help.
Your doctor and your baby’s doctor will be great resources for breastfeeding questions. Your birthing hospital may have lactation consultants who can give you helpful tips while you’re in the hospital, and you can have a lactation consultant come to your home for a private visit. You can also call the women’s health breastfeeding line to get answers to your questions right away at 800-994-9662.
How to Breastfeed Your Baby
The most important part of breastfeeding is ensuring your baby can properly latch. You may have been given help with this in the hospital, but if you have any trouble when you get home, do not hesitate to call your doctor, your baby’s doctor, or a lactation consultant.
Here are a few tips:
Bring your baby close enough to your breast so they can find your areola without effort.
Stimulate your baby’s upper lip with your nipple until their mouth opens very wide.
Your baby’s chin and lower lip should be the first thing to make contact with your breast.
Your baby’s lip must be fully turned out and wrapped firmly against your areola.
Stimulate your baby’s upper lip with your nipple until their mouth opens very wide.
Step-by-step guide to breastfeeding
Breastfeeding Positions
There are many different breastfeeding positions, and it can take time to find the best option for you and your baby. If one position isn’t working, try another! Soon enough you’ll find the right one.
Side-Lying Cradle
Football
What if I don’t make enough milk?
During the first week, many moms are concerned that they aren’t making enough milk. Don’t worry! Your baby’s tummy is tiny, and the first milk that mothers make (called colostrum) is very nutritious. After two to four days, your breasts will start to feel harder and heavier as your body replaces the colostrum with a different kind of breast milk. This will look much more like “milk” and will continue to give your newborn all of the nutrition they need.
The more you breastfeed, the more milk you will make. To make sure that you are producing enough, pump and/or feed your baby frequently and drink a lot of water—staying hydrated is very important when you are breastfeeding.
What if breastfeeding is painful?
In the beginning, breastfeeding may cause your nipples to become sore, cracked, and even bleed. This pain should get better after a few days. If it doesn’t, call your doctor, your baby’s doctor, or a lactation consultant to make sure your baby is latching properly and there are no other issues.
HERE ARE SOME WAYS TO EASE THE INITIAL DISCOMFORT OF BREASTFEEDING:
- Keep your nipples clean and moisturized with a nipple butter or cream.
- Squeeze out a little extra breast milk and rub it into your nipples after each feeding.
- Hold a washcloth soaked in warm water on your nipple to soothe your skin.
- Apply 100% lanolin cream to irritated nipples (it doesn’t need to be washed off before your baby’s next feeding).
- Do not use tea bags or anything drying on your nipples—they can make your symptoms worse.
If your pain does not go away or you develop severe breast or nipple pain, warmth, swelling, or redness on your breast, a fever, or start to feel ill, call your doctor. This may be a sign of mastitis, an infection that should be treated right away.
Can I breastfeed my baby if I am going back to work?
Yes! This is a common concern for many women. You can pump your breast milk and store it in the freezer so your baby can be given breast milk in a bottle. Even if you are home, having stored breast milk means other people can help feed your baby, which gives them a chance to bond, and gives you a much needed break! Breast milk can last in the refrigerator for four days and in the freezer for up to six months. Once you defrost the breast milk, you can store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
What will I need if I want to pump breast milk?
You will need a breast pump and breast milk storage bags. There are many excellent breast pumps available, and many are covered by insurance. If you qualify for WIC, they may be able to provide you with a breast pump. If you have any questions about finding a pump, you can talk to your baby’s doctor or the hospital where you delivered—there are many options.
Quick Guide
Pumped or expressed breast milk can be stored for later use. Follow these guidelines:
Storage Type
Room temperature, 77ºF
(25ºC)
or colder
Storage Time
Up to 4 hours
Cooler with frozen
ice packs
Up to 24 hours
Refrigerator set to 40ºF
(4ºC)
or below
Best within 4 days,
but can last up to
8 days
Freezer set to 0ºF (-18ºC)
or below
Best within 6 months,
but can last up to 12
months
Deep freezer set to -10ºF
(-23ºC)
or below
Up to 12 months
Clearly label breast milk
with a date, time, and
amount before freezing.
Thaw milk in a bowl of
warm water. Never use
your microwave.
Clearly label breast milk
with a date, time, and
amount before freezing.
Freeze breast milk in
amounts your baby will
eat to avoid waste.
The advantages and challenges of breastfeeding
Some advantages of breast milk and breastfeeding include:
Ideal nutrition for your baby
- Perfect balance of fats, sugars, and proteins.
- Easier to digest than formula.
- Less likely to lead to obesity from overfeeding.
- Breast milk is full of antibodies that protect against a variety of infections
- No need to worry about the cost of formula or about supplies running low.
- When breastfeeding, milk is always on hand and ready at the right temperature.
- No trip to the store or online order required.
- Breastfeeding is a special way for a mother and her baby to bond.
Some challenges you might face if breastfeeding:
Only the baby’s mom can breastfeed
- This can be especially challenging if she has to go back to work or if other issues arise that keep her from being with the baby full time.
- Breast milk can be pumped so other caregivers can still feed the baby, but this does require storing the milk and getting it ready ahead of time.
- This usually improves with time and practice.
- Such as when taking certain medications or with specific illnesses (such as HIV).
- Overheated breastmilk can cause burns.
Formula Feeding
Although there are many benefits to
breastfeeding, it may not be the right option
for you, and that’s okay! Formula is a good
alternative and will give your baby all of the
nutrients they need. All that matters is that
your baby is fed, whether that’s with breast
milk or formula.
How do I choose which formula to give my baby?
There are many formula brands to choose from, and it can be hard to know which will be best for your baby. If you started formula while you were in the hospital, you can continue using the brand that the hospital offered. If you haven’t started formula yet and need help choosing, ask your baby’s doctor for a recommendation.
How will I know if my baby needs a different formula?
Most babies do very well with standard infant formulas, and it is best to choose one kind of formula and stick with it. It is normal for babies to be gassy, spit up, and fuss when they poop. But if you think your baby is uncomfortable, spitting up more than they should, or not drinking their formula, you should call your baby’s doctor. It may be time for a change.
Here are some signs that your baby might be having issues with their formula:
Not gaining enough weight
Here are some signs that your baby might be having issues with their formula:
Bloody poop
Frequent straining
HARD POOP
Or issues such as:
Frequent vomiting
Recurrent hives
Severe eczema
Tracking your baby’s eating and diaper changes
In the early days with a newborn, it can be helpful to keep track of when and how much they eat, pee, and poop. This will help you see what is normal and what is not. If you need to discuss anything with your doctor, you will have everything written down in one place. Once feedings are well established, there is no need to keep tracking unless you have specific concerns. Some things you might want to track:
Feeding
- Time of feed (when it started)
- If you’re breastfeeding, which breast your baby nursed on
- If you’re bottle-feeding, how many ounces your baby ate at each feeding If you’re pumping, how many ounces you pumped during a session.
Diapers
- Time of diaper change
- Whether it was pee, poop, or both
- If anything looks unusual
Tip for Parents
Check out these 8 helpful hints for feeding your baby from Mayo Clinic.
In-depth Info
Learn more with these breastfeeding FAQs from KidsHealth.
Tip for Parents
You are not alone,
it will get so much
easier, and you’re
already doing great!
Tip for Parents
The more you
breastfeed, the
more milk you
will make.
Tip for Parents
With so many formula options available, it’s best to consult your baby’s doctor with any questions.
Tip for Parents
Not sure which type to buy? Get the facts about infant formula from WebMD.
Tip for Parents
There are many apps that make it easy to track your baby’s feedings and diaper changes.
Additional Reading
Going Home With Baby
Here’s what to know about the first few days after coming home from the hospital.
Crying
Understand why babies cry, how you can soothe them, and when to call for extra help.
