Feeding Baby

Babies who had no problem eating at the hospital may seem to lose interest in feeding at home. This can be one of the most frustrating things to happen to new parents. Often, the car ride home, the people coming and going, the blare of a television or excited siblings, even the nerves of anxious parents can temporarily cause babies' to lose their appetites, so to speak. There are things you can do to make feeding time successful.

Nurse or bottle feed baby in a room with no distractions Consider using a feeding support pillow (for nursing and formula feeding) Use bottles similar to ones used in the nursery Use the same brand of formula as used in the nursery (they will send you home with some most of the time) Do not become frustrated. If baby doesn't eat, try again in twenty minutes.

Feeding safety

Breast milk can be safely stored in the refrigerator for three days Breast milk can be safely stored in the freezer for three months; thawed milk must be used within 24 hours; do not re-freeze Do not warm breast milk or formula in the microwave Do not prop bottles; babies should always be held to be fed Unfinished bottles should not be saved for later use Follow directions on formula cans carefully Sterilize all bottles, nipples, caps, and removable pieces of breast pumps Opened cans/bottles of ready to feed formula or recently mixed powder/concentrate formula can be stored for up to 24 hours, after that it should be discarded

Do babies really need to be burped?
Pediatricians recommend burping babies for at least six months. Babies ingest air as they suck on the breast or bottle. Trapped air can cause pain and a feeling of fullness (without adequate nutrition). For a newborn, burp after every ounce of formula ingested. There are many ways to help your baby release trapped air. The three below are easy and time tested. Just be sure to use a burp cloth, because sometimes a bit of liquid goes along for the ride with released air.

1. Hold your baby upright, with her chest on your own and her head resting on your shoulder. Apply gentle pats or circular rubbing motion to baby's back.
2. Sit baby on your lap. Support his little head by holding his chin, with your palm resting on his upper chest. Apply gentle pats or circular rubbing motion to baby's back.
3. Lie baby tummy down on your lap, gently rub back in circular motion. Usually, patting is not necessary because baby's own body weight helps release gas. For babies who spit up a lot, this position may not be desirable.

Disregard family advice or past experience with older children. This practice is not healthy for newborns unless specifically recommended by pediatrician.

Spitting up may be unsightly, but baby doesn't mind.
It's reflux, but it's different than the reflux you or I may experience. This is most often innocent reflux, which does not cause discomfort. According to the Mayo Clinic, almost 40% of babies spit up on a regular basis. If your baby is spitting up, chances are it's nothing to worry about - it comes with the territory.

The valve that keeps babies breast milk or formula in its stomach and out of its esophagus and mouth may be slightly immature, resulting in spit up.

Babies spit up when they: overeat

Breastfed babies generally do not spit up as much as bottle-fed babies. This may be because they are less likely to swallow air or overeat.

While you probably can't eliminate all the messy bouts which follow mealtime, you can help reduce spitting up.

1. Keep baby upright. Elevate head during feedings, keep baby upright for 15 to 30 minutes after each feeding.
2. Try to keep baby calm. A frantic baby moves more and swallows more air than a calm baby.
3. Avoid activities which will jiggle baby's stomach for 30 minutes after meals.
4. Be sure to burp baby frequently during and at the end of feedings.
5. Consider burping baby in a seated upright position.
6. Take a look at the bottles and nipples from which baby drinks. Are the nipples releasing fluid too quickly? Might a more ergonomically designed bottle ease your baby's stomach?