How to feed a newborn baby for the first time at home. An important element of proper growth and development is feeding newborns in the early days: suitable postures, diet and useful tips for young mothers. Artificial feeding: what mixtures to feed

Soon 9 months will end in anticipation of a miracle, and a very small child will become a full member of society. Parents (to a greater extent, of course, mother) will face difficult tasks that need to be solved - to ensure the baby's full physical and mental development.

Young parents who “have not smelled gunpowder” are lost in the face of new problems and worries that seem insurmountable. As our favorite character from the famous cartoon, Carlson, says: "Calm, only calm." The best that can give female body after childbirth, a newborn baby - breast milk.

This very simple process is predetermined by nature itself. Mother's milk contains all the important nutritional and immunological components that protect the baby from various infections and contribute to correct work intestines.

The mother's body prepares for the process of feeding throughout pregnancy, producing the necessary hormones and making "reserves" of subcutaneous fat. Also, the mammary glands are prepared, increasing in size due to the growth of glandular tissue.

The process of lactation is triggered by childbirth, and the only thing left for the woman is to feed the newborn baby on time, making every effort to keep breastfeeding as long as possible.

First application

First breastfeeding is very important for baby and mother.

After the baby passes through the birth canal in the first few minutes, he enters a state of relaxation.

After 20-30 minutes he perks up and wants to suck. The best thing is to let him suck on the breast as soon as he wants to.

That is, it is advisable to carry out the first attachment to the breast immediately, as soon as, after giving birth to the placenta, the mother was taken out of the delivery room.

The baby should be offered to suck on one breast first, and then the second. If such an opportunity did not appear after childbirth, then this should be done immediately, as soon as a happy reunion of mother and baby occurs.

The first breastfeeding is very important for a baby., as it helps him recover from stress, and for the mother, whom this helps to successfully establish lactation.

Thanks to the sucks the uterus effectively contracts, and the hormonal balance is also restored, which helps to reduce the risk of postpartum complications.

The mother's first milk is colostrum, the most complete nutrition for a newborn. It prepares the body of the newborn for life in a new environment, for a new way of eating, different from when the child received food while in the womb.

High-calorie colostrum is a very thick and sticky liquid, rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals and protective antibodies.

Colostrum "lubricates" the intestinal walls, making it invulnerable to pathogenic bacteria. It gives a strong immune defense to the body of the newborn, creating favorable conditions for further growth and development.

Colostrum does not load either the baby's gastrointestinal tract or his kidneys, who are not yet able to process a large amount of food safely at first. In addition, due to the high content of magnesium salts, which have a laxative effect, the intestines of the newborn are easier and faster to get rid of the original feces - meconium.

Very nutritious colostrum a newborn needs little - from 2 to 15-20 ml per feeding. A very small baby's stomach, comparable in size to a large pearl, allows the baby to suck out a little mother's milk in one go. So it is necessary to apply the baby to the breast as often as possible.

Babies in the first month of life sleep 20-22 hours a day, so mothers do not understand how to feed a newborn baby if he is not awake. It is enough to attach the baby to the breast, and even in a dream he will begin to look for the nipple, and will soon cling to it. Nature has taken care of everything.

Feeding after caesarean section

Some mothers who give birth with the help caesarean section fear that they will not be able to breastfeed. Previously it was thought that surgical intervention leaves no chance for breastfeeding. Modern medicine is unanimous in its opinion: this is a myth.

The amount of milk does not depend on the method of delivery, but only on the desire and perseverance of the mother to establish lactation.

As a rule, drugs compatible with breastfeeding are used during the operation. You can attach the baby to the breast as soon as the mother comes to her senses after anesthesia. Usually this is possible already 3 hours after the operation.

It's worth knowing that a newborn baby may take the breast reluctantly or not at all, especially if painkillers were administered to the woman in labor or the baby was fed formula milk before being brought to the mother. The same situation is observed after vaginal delivery with medical intervention.

Patience and consistency of attachments to the breast help to establish active sucking rather quickly, as well as to ensure that the mother receives milk in a timely manner and a sufficient amount of it in the future.

It is very effective in such situations to apply a method of contact of the mother's naked skin to that of the baby. At the same time, it is possible to stimulate the sucking activity of a newborn by gently rubbing his back and heels, having previously removed the diaper.

How many times should a newborn baby be fed?

Breastfeeding on demand is good for both baby and mom

A close relationship is established between mother and newborn after childbirth. Breastfeeding helps them learn to communicate and recover from childbirth.

So here feeding on demand is important. But not only for the baby, but also for the mother.

After all, sucking the baby's breast helps her to establish lactation and avoid milk stagnation, which often causes inflammatory diseases of the mammary glands.

The number of prolactin receptors in the mammary gland, which are responsible for the volume of milk produced, is directly dependent on how effectively (correctly) and often the child suckles.

The earlier and more actively he embarked on his "mission", the more mammary glands will be able to produce milk in the future.

At first, the baby can be applied to the breast quite often - every 15-30 minutes, and also to sleep with her in her mouth, sucking. With the help of sucking, the baby receives not only nutrition, but also calms down, compensating for birth stress and satisfying the need for sucking.

Colostrum is replaced 3-5 days after birth by the so-called "transitional" milk.

For successful lactation, it is important that the baby suckle the breast at least 7-12 times a day, emptying each breast well.

At this age, the baby needs at least 20-30 minutes for each feeding. Here, the help of the mother of all relatives will come in handy, who will take on the obligations of cleaning the house, preparing tasty and healthy meals for the mother, help in caring for the baby, while the mother will often and for a long time retire with the crumbs for the “sacrament of feeding”.

Wouldn't it be enough?

Often, mothers cannot independently understand whether they are feeding the newborn correctly and whether he has enough milk.

Let's calm down: little loss body weight baby in the first days after birth- a normal phenomenon, which even has a medical term - "physiological weight loss in a newborn."

This condition, typical for 2-5 days, is a reaction to the stress of birth. Children can lose up to 10% of their body weight, but typically only 5-8%.

You can understand if everything is in order without consulting a pediatrician. It is enough to leave the baby without a diaper and observe the number of urination during the day.

In the first 1-2 days, the baby pees at least 1-2 times a day, after 3-4 days of life - more than 5-6 times. So that if the baby has already wetted the diaper more than 8 times, then he has enough food, and he does not need additional feeding.

If the number of urination is less, then the mother should pay attention to the volume of milk produced. At first, you can try to put the baby to the breast more often for 1-2 days.

Recall that when breastfeeding, the baby should capture not only the nipple, but also the areola around.

Also increase milk production is possible with the help of certain medicines(for example, the homeopathic preparation "Mlekoin", tablets based on royal jelly "Apilak", teas for increasing lactation "Laktovit", as well as TM "Hipp", "Grandmother's basket", etc.) and plants (dill, cumin, carrots ), consuming them in the form of herbal drinks, teas and juice.

How to avoid such problems? We offer you to get acquainted with the nutrition of a nursing mother.

Read all about the first feeding of the baby while breastfeeding

Attention moms! Recipes for drinks that improve lactation

caraway drink

Herbal drinks, teas and juices will help improve lactation.

You need 1 medium-sized lemon, 100 g of sugar and 15 g of cumin seeds. All ingredients are poured into 1 liter of hot water and boiled over low heat for 7-10 minutes. Then the broth is filtered and drunk ½ cup 2-3 times a day.

Dill Seed Infusion

Requires 1 tbsp. dill seeds. It is poured with 1 glass of hot water and infused for 2 hours in a thermos. Drink in small sips 2 times a day for ½ cup.

carrot juice

It is important that the baby does not have an allergic predisposition to this vegetable.
It is necessary to squeeze juice from carrots, and then drink ½ cup 2-3 times a day, be sure to first dilute it with water in proportions of 1: 1. To improve the taste, you can replace the water with a small amount of cream or milk.

Milk with cumin

Requires 1 tsp. cumin seeds, 1 cup milk. Cumin is poured with 1 cup of boiling milk and allowed to infuse for 15 minutes. Then drink in small sips throughout the day.

If, with all the efforts of the mother, the baby suckles inactively, is lethargic, sleepy, loses weight or does not gain it at all, then the pediatrician can prescribe supplementary feeding.

Under no circumstances should formula be given from a bottle.
An alternative way is to give supplements from a small cup, spoon, syringe (no needle!), pipette. This will help prevent overeating in the baby, and will not interfere with his desire and ability to suckle the breast.

If natural feeding is not possible for various reasons, then you will have to feed the newborn with an adapted mixture.

Introduce the baby to the mixture carefully, watching his reaction. If the acquaintance with the new food was successful, then within 5 days you need to increase the one-time volume to the prescribed norm.

Strict schedule

With artificial feeding, you need to calculate the amount of food and adhere to a certain feeding regimen.

With artificial feeding, there can be no talk of feeding on demand. We'll have to calculate everything almost by the minute.

The best option- feed a newborn baby 6-7 times a day every 3-3.5 hours with a break of 6-6.5 hours at night.

If the baby sleeps during the day for more than 4 hours, then he needs to be activated and fed a little, otherwise soon the “own” regimen of the crumbs will cause a lot of inconvenience to the mother: he will eat and “walk” at night, and sleep during the day.

At poor appetite in newborn mothers, you can adhere to the principle of free feeding, when 1-2 times a day the baby eats exclusively at the same time, and the rest - at will.

But in this case, you need to ensure that the baby "fulfills" the daily food intake. To do this, it is enough to purchase or rent scales for children from 0 months and periodically weigh the child after meals.

Correct calculation

With artificial feeding, it is necessary to determine the amount of food.

In the first two months, the amount of the mixture per day should be 1/5 of the child's body weight. From 2 to 4 months, the amount of the mixture should be 1/6 of the baby's weight, from 4 to 6 months - 1/7, after 6 months of age - only 1/9.

Making an individual calculation is easy.

For example, a baby at the age of 1 week weighs 3 kg 500 gr. Hence, its weight 3.500 should be divided by 5. Total: 700 gr.

To determine whether how much formula should be given to a baby at a time, it is enough to divide the daily volume of the mixture by the number of feedings. So, 700 gr: 7 feedings. Total: 100 g of the finished mixture is needed for one meal.

Formula 1

The daily volume of the mixture \u003d newborn body weight: 5.

Formula 2

The volume of the mixture for 1 reception = the daily volume of the mixture: the number of feedings.

Many pediatricians are unanimous in the opinion that artificial babies need supplementation, which can only be offered to crumbs after feeding. But babies cannot do this in any way.

Mother's milk can satisfy both the baby's thirst and his hunger. First, the mother produces “light” milk, and then the so-called “hind” milk is produced, which is very high in calories and nutrition. Excess water in infants in the digestive tract can cause constipation.

We hope our article has helped young mothers figure out how to properly feed a newborn baby.

And the proposed video will tell you how to properly attach a newborn baby to the breast to make breastfeeding enjoyable for you and your baby.

In contact with

The process of breastfeeding is a pleasant experience of motherhood. But it is connected with it the largest number questions, fears and misunderstandings. Entangled in the whirlpool of information that everyone around them kindly pours on them, young mothers begin to worry: how often to feed a newborn, whether to follow his whims, or is it not whims at all, but a normal need for food? There is also no consensus on this matter among doctors and specialists in hepatitis B. If consultants convince mothers to feed babies only on demand, then many pediatricians are sure that some control from the mother will not hurt.

What does on-demand feeding mean?

The name of the method already contains its description. Feeding on demand is complete submission to the desires of the baby. Woman feeding a baby breast milk at the first squeak - as soon as the baby requires a breast, he gets it. He can demand it in any way - by crying, groaning, restless behavior, screaming. The breast is offered for any reason, if the baby takes it - he eats, he is not hungry - he refuses.

The intervals between applications in this case may vary: either they are quite short (less than an hour), or long (3-4 hours). This primarily depends on the activity of the baby - how well he eats, whether he sucks milk intensively or immediately falls asleep at the breast. Age plays a big role - the older the baby, the longer the breaks.

Breastfeeding is not only a process of nutrition, but also an opportunity to maintain close contact with the mother, both physical and psychological. When deciding how often to breastfeed your baby, remember that this is her "safe haven" in a new and unfamiliar world. In this harbor he is calm, comfortable and safe. Therefore, prolonged “hanging” on the chest should not cause concern either - perhaps the baby just eats slowly and thoroughly, or maybe he is looking for his mother's warmth and protection.

Some mothers are guided by tables that tell how much and when a newborn should eat. And they believe that the child will overeat if you give him complete freedom in eating. However, the beauty of breastfeeding is that the child has no chance of overeating - he eats exactly as much as he needs. Excess simply does not fit in the tummy and the baby will burp it. Therefore, WHO representatives and consultants on breastfeeding are confident that feeding on demand is the best way for baby and mother.

They argue that this is the most natural behavior for all mammals, including humans. Can you imagine a cat next to which hungry kittens are squeaking, and she is waiting for the right time with a clock in her paws? It's the same with the human baby. If the baby wants a breast, give him a breast, not a rattle or a bottle of water. As for water, which some pediatricians recommend to deceive the baby so as not to give him the breast too often, then the baby does not need it at all until six months old. Complementary foods begin at six months, and it is then that water is introduced into the child's diet.

How to determine that the baby wants breast

Feeding on demand involves putting the baby to the breast when he asks for food - crying, whimpering, naughty, or otherwise draws attention to himself. Ideally, the mother needs to learn to determine by eye when the baby is hungry and not wait until he starts to cry. After all, attach to the chest screaming child- the task is not an easy one, and in the process it swallows air, and this threatens with pain in the tummy and colic.

Some clear signs can help mom. Hungry baby:

  • turns in the crib, behaves uneasily;
  • turns his head and opens his mouth;
  • tries to put a fist, a diaper, or anything else that lies nearby into his mouth;
  • smacks his lips.

On any of these signals, the baby is offered a breast. The main thing is that mom also approaches the process with pleasure! Then feeding will bring mutual benefits and pleasant emotions, and the mother does not worry about how often the baby should eat, whether she will overfeed / underfeed him, etc.

How often should you feed

If the child is breastfeeding, you feed him on demand, then such a question should not arise at all. When he wants, then we feed him. If the volume of milk from the mother is sufficient, then the child will figure out how much food and how often he needs.

As for weight, each baby is different and cannot develop according to once and for all established average norms. Probably, only the lazy one did not tell his parents about this. However, although the phrase is hackneyed, it remains true - it is impossible to demand that all children completely fall into the “norm”, because they all develop in their own way.

The situation is completely different with formula-fed babies - the mixture is absorbed longer than breast milk, and it is easier to get from the bottle, so the baby may overeat. Therefore, the daily volume of the mixture is divided into equal parts in accordance with the number of feedings per day. The break between feedings is 3-3.5 hours. At night there is a break up to 6 hours. A hint on the amount of the mixture will be the tables on the jars - they give the most accurate information.

Pediatricians have made approximate recommendations for months that will help mothers navigate the number of necessary feedings. They once again emphasize that the "norms" are only exemplary and average, first of all, the mother needs to take into account the nature and needs of her child.

In the first week

The first feedings of newborns take place in the hospital. There, the mother should be given advice on how to care for her. In the first days of the baby's life, the mother produces only colostrum - the milk will come in a few days.

At this time, the mother needs to often apply the newborn to the breast, since colostrum is secreted in small quantities. However, do not worry that the baby is not full - in terms of nutritional value and calorie content, colostrum is far ahead of milk. In addition, it is fully adapted to the needs of the child's body:

  • Contains little fluid, does not burden the kidneys;
  • It has a laxative effect that helps to remove meconium (original feces);
  • Contains a huge "charge" of nutrients, immune elements and bacteria to colonize the intestines.

The whole process of lactation will depend on how many times a day a newborn is fed and how correctly it is applied to the breast. If you do not immediately take care of this, milk can "leave" as early as 3 months.

A newborn baby does not have a clear feeding regimen. Mom feeds him on demand at least once every 2 hours. But more frequent application is not a violation of any "norm". In the first week, a single amount of milk is very easy to calculate - you need to multiply the baby's age in days by 10.

It is also necessary to feed a newborn at night on demand, while breaks are usually no more than 3-4 hours. If the baby often wakes up and asks for a breast, feed more often.

The duration of sucking is individual. Each child is born with his own temperament, and someone will empty his chest in 10 minutes, and someone will stretch the pleasure and hang on it for up to 40-60 minutes. And that will be fine too.

In the first month

During the first month of a baby's life, frequent breastfeeding remains necessary condition adaptation of the child and the establishment of lactation. It is best to stick to the schedule that the child sets himself, that is, on demand. He can ask for breasts 12 times a day and this is not considered a deviation from the norm. Of course, the baby can eat less often or more often, which is also not wrong if he gains enough weight and feels good. A monthly baby must definitely continue to be fed at night - long breaks between applications are not yet within his power.

Mom's breast for babies also serves as a "sedative" remedy. If a child often suckles at the breast, this does not mean that he is constantly hungry and his mother does not have enough milk. Perhaps he just lacks attention. It doesn't even have to be that he actually eats at this time - many babies like to take a nap with a nipple in their mouth or use it as a pacifier without drawing out milk.

Up to six months

As the baby grows, the intervals between applications gradually increase. At two months, this is still not too noticeable - the child eats every 1-2 hours and 2-5 times a night. Breastfeeding becomes easier, as the mother's nipples have fully adapted to the new condition for them and the features of the baby's mouth.

By the third month, the child usually develops his own daily routine. Mom has to breastfeed her baby up to 6-8 per day and 2-4 per night. The main part of them becomes quite short, only before and after sleep the child can eat for a long time.

Feeding a baby at 4 months still consists entirely of milk. He still does not need water and supplements, except for medical reasons. A five-month-old baby begins to be often distracted during feedings and may show interest in food from the parent's table.

At 6-12 months

After six months, complementary foods appear in the baby's diet, so the nature of feeding changes significantly. Most actively now he sucks the breast in the evening and at night, and in the morning he may not show much interest in her. On average, it turns out that the number of attachments remains the same - about 9-12 per day (including night feedings).

The nutrition of a child at 7 months becomes even more varied, so during the day he can suckle the breast quite rarely. But it is often applied to it in the evening and at night - it turns out up to 10 feedings per day.

Breastfeeding a baby at 8 months is often accompanied by teething. The baby may begin to bite or pinch the nipple, sometimes refuse the breast during the day and not let it go at night, or vice versa.

Feeding a baby at 9 months can be even less frequent - now he is able to withstand intervals of 3-4 hours, which means that mom can leave the house for a while and make time for herself. Up to a year, feedings persist and remain fairly frequent at night.

After a year

After the baby is one year old, breastfeeding acquires a more pronounced psychological aspect - it is an opportunity for additional communication and close contact with the mother, as well as a source of necessary immune cells. As a source of nutrition, breastfeeding fades into the background, so the frequency of breastfeeding is significantly reduced, while the mother can quite control both the duration and time of application.

The break between feedings increases to 5-6 hours, several suckings are already completely replaced by complementary foods. The child asks for a breast, as a rule, before going to bed and in the morning, an active day contributes to sound sleep. Although if there are problems with lactation, and the mother wants to support her, the baby can be woken up at night - between 3 and 6 o'clock. This keeps milk production at the required level.

The opinion of Dr. Komarovsky

Yevgeny Komarovsky also supports the idea of ​​feeding on demand, but with reservations. infant should receive food when he needs it, so you need to feed on demand, but at the same time you should distinguish whether the baby really asks for food or is just uncomfortable for him - the diaper is full, it has become cold, scary or the pen itches. Therefore, the main task of the mother is to learn to determine the cause of the child’s discontent and not to rush to immediately feed him.

According to Dr. Komarovsky, if the baby ate well - actively sucked and was at the breast for a long time - he will get hungry again no earlier than in two hours. Therefore, it will be optimal to maintain just such an interval between feedings.

Thus, feeding according to Komarovsky is feeding, depending on the amount of food, with a certain time interval. At the same time, the doctor emphasizes that the process of feeding should bring pleasure to both mother and child. Therefore, if it is difficult for a mother to constantly keep her baby at her breast, it is worth introducing a certain schedule that will suit both.

How to feed your baby - on demand, in a free schedule or by the hour, each mother decides for herself. The main thing is that the process brings joy to both parties, and the child receives the necessary nutrition.

Proper feeding of a newborn in the first days of life is as important an element of growth and development as mother's care and care for the baby. The ideal option is breastfeeding. If for various reasons it is not possible to breastfeed, high-quality milk formulas for newborns will help out.

It is important for a young mother to know how to organize the nutrition of a tiny man. Study the material: you will find answers to many questions related to the organization of nutrition for the smallest children. The most important thing is to ensure maximum comfort for mom and baby.

How to properly feed newborns

At the maternity hospital, staff will talk about the benefits of early breastfeeding, and provide conditions for close contact between mother and baby immediately after birth. Now the babies are in the same room with their mother, which allows them to feed the baby “on demand”.

If there is a shortage of milk, do not despair, try to establish natural feeding. Drink plenty of fluids, try to calm down, breastfeed your baby more often. Even a minimal amount of milk will benefit. Supplement the newborn with mixtures, control behavior, weight, and stool quality. In the absence of milk, switch to artificial mixtures.

Breast-feeding

The benefits of early breastfeeding have been proven by neonatologists and pediatricians, confirmed by satisfied mothers and well-fed, peacefully snoring babies. Close emotional contact is one of the benefits of breastfeeding.

Breast milk benefits:

  • crumbs (the child receives fully digestible food, develops well, gets sick less often);
  • mother (the uterus contracts more actively under the influence of sucking movements of the crumbs, the body recovers more quickly after childbirth).

First stage

In the first hours after childbirth, the mammary glands produce a valuable product - colostrum. The amount of useful substance is small, but the rich composition, high fat content satisfy the needs of the crumbs for food. An important detail - colostrum saturates the small organism with biologically active substances, strengthens the immune system.

In most maternity hospitals, early attachment to the breast is practiced. An exciting moment for mom and baby, falling into an unfamiliar world. The warmth of the breast, the smell of milk soothe the newborn, allow you to feel the protection. The more colostrum a child can get, the better for his immunity.

Homecoming

Many young mothers get lost, panic, being at home with a newborn. There is a caring dad nearby, a familiar environment, but there is still excitement. If a woman listened to the recommendations of the maternity hospital staff, there would be less difficulties with breastfeeding.

Features of feeding newborns with breast milk:

  • the diet in the first week takes into account the interests of the newborn more. Mom will have to adapt to the needs of the baby;
  • it is useful to observe when the baby is really hungry, to note the interval between feedings that the child can withstand. The best option is 3 hours, but in the first week, babies often require milk with loud crying after 1.5–2 hours;
  • pediatricians advise: feed the baby “on demand”, when he eagerly searches for breasts with his mouth. Gradually, the child will get stronger, will be able to drink more valuable liquid at a time, will stay full longer. Active breastfeeding will increase lactation, the nutritional needs of the infant and the capabilities of the mother will gradually coincide;
  • after a couple of weeks, accustom the baby to the diet. If in the first days you fed your baby every one and a half to two hours during the day and after 3-4 hours at night, gradually switch to seven meals a day. The regimen improves the functioning of the tiny intestines, gives mom a rest.

Suitable postures

Choose the position that best suits you. Remember: each feeding in the first weeks of a newborn's life lasts a long time.

Keep in mind that you are unlikely to succeed in sitting for half an hour or more beautifully, bending over the baby (as nursing mothers pose for photos in magazines), especially after a difficult birth. If the mother is uncomfortable or hard to hold the baby, she is unlikely to have pleasant thoughts, tender feelings.

Try several poses, choose the optimal one, taking into account the condition of the chest, weight, age of the crumbs. As the baby grows, an uncomfortable position can become suitable and vice versa.

Basic postures for feeding newborns:

  • supine position. The baby leans on mommy with arms, legs, head. Woman's shoulders, head raised with a pillow. The pose is suitable for abundant milk flow;
  • lying on your side. This convenient option is chosen by many mothers, especially for evening and night feedings. Be sure to alternately lie on each side so that both breasts are emptied;
  • the classic sitting position for feeding. Mom holds the child in her arms. Pillows under the back, on the knees and under the elbow will help reduce hand fatigue, “reduce” the weight of the baby;
  • hanging posture. Recommended for poor outflow of milk. The newborn lies on his back, mommy feeds him from above, bending over the baby. Not very comfortable for the back, but effective for emptying the chest;
  • posture after caesarean section, when nursing twins. The woman is sitting, the baby lies so that the legs are behind the mother's back, the head peeks out from under the mother's hand. This pose removes the manifestations of lactostasis - stagnation of breast milk, accompanied by soreness, pronounced compaction of the lobules of the mammary gland.

Milk formulas for babies

Artificial feeding is a forced measure, but in the absence of breast milk, you will have to adapt. Properly organize the nutrition of the newborn, listen to the recommendations of pediatricians.

Features of feeding newborns with a mixture:

  • unlike breastfeeding, when the baby eats and falls asleep, the nutrient mixture has a certain dosage. It is important to know how much breast milk replacer to give to the "artificial" per day;
  • from the first days, feed the baby 7 times, an interval of 3 hours. Later, you can switch to six meals a day with an interval of 3.5 hours;
  • choose a quality mixture that provides satiety, maximum nutrients. Unfortunately, it will not work to feed the baby on demand: the mixture cannot be given “whenever you want”, it is important to maintain a certain interval;
  • occasionally it is allowed to shift the time of the next intake of a useful mixture, but not by much. Violation of the rules causes problems with the baby's stomach / intestines;
  • choose milk formulas for newborns from well-known manufacturers, without palm oil, sugar, maltodextrin. As a last resort, there should be a minimum amount of components that support a feeling of fullness;
  • if there is not enough breast milk, you have to constantly supplement the crumbs. First, offer the breast, then - baby food in a spoon. Avoid the bottle: it is easier to get milk from the nipple, after a while the baby will probably refuse the breast;
  • be sure to give the newborn - "artificial" boiled water. The volume of liquid depends on age;
  • artificial feeding will help you get healthy twins or triplets. Mom does not have enough milk for two / three children, you have to give a nutrient mixture. As babies grow, breast milk is replaced with formula milk.

How much should a child eat

How much should a newborn eat per feeding? When breastfeeding, the child himself feels when the ventricle is full. The baby stops sucking at the breast, calmly falls asleep.

To feed the "artificial" mother must pour a certain amount of the mixture into the bottle so that the newborn does not remain hungry. Pediatricians have developed a formula for calculating the volume baby food for every day.

The calculations are simple:

  • the newborn weighs less than 3200 grams. Multiply the number of days lived by 70. For example, on the third day, the baby should receive 3 x 70 \u003d 210 g of milk mixture;
  • The newborn weighs over 3200 grams. The calculation is similar, only multiply the number of days by 80. For example, on the third day a large child should receive a large portion - 3 x 80 = 240 g of baby food.

Note! Calculations are suitable for the smallest. From the 10th day of life, the norms are different. A detailed calculation of the amount of formula for feeding babies - "artificial" you will find in the article, which describes the selection rules, features of the use of popular infant formula from 0 to 6 months.

Meal table by the hour

It is easier for young mothers to navigate if they have a clear idea of ​​​​the diet of the crumbs. For the first month, the newborn will sleep most of the time (up to 18 hours a day), the rest of the day will be awake.

Remember: when the baby does not sleep, half the time he sucks his mother's breast or receives infant formula instead of breast milk. Pay attention to the table of feeding newborns. It lists feeding times for normal weight babies.

  • if the newborn spits up after feeding, a simple trick will help: carry the fed baby in a column for 10-15 minutes;
  • the neck of the newborn is still very weak, how to act so as not to damage the bones, not to stretch the muscles? Put the head on your shoulder, hold the baby upright, gently press it to you, supporting the back and buttocks. This position will ensure the release of excess air, reduce the frequency and volume of regurgitation;
  • after eating, you can not disturb the baby, it is undesirable to put it in the crib. Active games, tickling, braking are prohibited. Change the newborn also after 10-15 minutes, when the air has left the ventricle;
  • if the newborn hiccups after feeding, he may have overeaten or is cold. Stroke the tummy, warm the baby, let the excess air out (hold it in a column). If the volume and pressure of breast milk is too large, feed the baby intermittently so that the previous portion has time to get into the tiny stomach.

How to maintain the emotional and physical health of a nursing mother

Helpful Hints:

  • upon returning home after the maternity hospital, a woman should also get at least a little sleep, devote time to other family members and herself, otherwise psychological problems, a crisis in relations with her husband cannot be avoided;
  • constant fatigue accumulates, mommy gets irritated for any reason, gets nervous. The result is a decrease in milk production, always hungry, crying baby, again nerves and new worries. The circle closes. That is why it is important to take care not only of the baby, but also to maintain the health, psychological balance of a woman who has undergone natural childbirth or a caesarean section
  • The realization that with the birth of a baby a successful business woman has turned into a “milk machine” depresses many young mothers. The closest people should help here. Praise, pride for the person who gave a son (daughter) / grandson (granddaughter) must be expressed in warm words. A woman feels much more confident if she feels supported;
  • An important point is helping to care for the baby. It’s good if the husband, grandmothers and a young mother share household chores. A woman needs to rest, often feed a newborn, recuperate. In the first two or three weeks, the lack of real help negatively affects the physical and psychological state of the nursing mother;
  • unfortunately, it often happens that a husband stays late at work (not to mention how difficult it is to “knock out” a vacation after the birth of a baby), and grandmothers, due to various circumstances, cannot help with household chores. It is important to preserve breast milk, not to fall off your feet from fatigue;
  • what to do? Will have to ask for help good friends, relatives, neighbors. Surely, someone will agree to help you: go for groceries, buy diapers, or wipe the dust at home. Involve people you trust, don't refuse help. Even half an hour of rest for a young mother will be useful;
  • cook simple meals, buy a slow cooker that minimizes labor costs for cooking. The device does not require constant monitoring, which is important in case of fatigue, frequent feedings, in a state when mommy thinks only about the child and sleep.

Now you know how to start breastfeeding, how to give special formulas. Pay maximum attention to the crumbs, remember about your health and the existence of other family members. The right diet will provide maximum comfort for the baby and adults.

More helpful breastfeeding tips in the following video:

After nine months of pregnancy, the long-awaited meeting with her baby, a full member of society, comes. Young parents face many difficult tasks that must be solved without fail, providing the newborn with a full mental and physical development.

Nature has created us so that for quite a long time after birth we feed on breast milk. At first glance, the process is quite simple, but the vast majority of young mothers have many questions about feeding babies, which are sometimes embarrassing to ask a doctor or health visitor. Today in our article we will talk about how to feed a newborn baby and how much to feed a newborn?

What is colostrum and is it nutritious?

First feeding usually happens in the hospital room 6-8 hours after your baby is born. It is generally accepted that the sooner the newborn is attached to the breast, the better for him and his mother's lactation.

The mammary glands after childbirth begin to actively produce colostrum, which must be fed without fail to the child. It is worth noting that its volume is rather small - no more than 30 ml, but the process of its production is carried out continuously. Previously, while this issue was less studied, colostrum was considered "empty", that is, it did not contain a large amount of useful and nutritious substances. However, today there is a scientific refutation of this - colostrum is useful and brings incredible benefits to the baby.

In the composition of the produced liquid contains a high concentration of bifidobacteria, which, getting into the esophagus of the baby, populate the body. Based on this, it is worth noting that when a child is fed with colostrum, a natural microflora is formed and the processes of the immune system are launched. Do not worry that your baby will not eat up. If you are in the delivery room, you have the opportunity to feed him at least every half hour, if the baby so desires.

Regular attachment of the baby to the breast stimulates the production of the hormone prolactin, which is responsible for the production of breast milk, which will lead not only to the acceleration of lactation, but also to the volume of milk. If, due to some circumstances, you are in different wards, the nurses will definitely feed him with a formula.

Breastfeeding: when does the first milk appear?

A few days after giving birth milk will replace colostrum. A new mother should continue to feed her newborn as often as possible, as this process not only stimulates her suckling skills, but also stimulates her own lactation process. Periodically with special attention feel your breasts: if you find painful bumps inside, massage and rub them while expressing milk. Do not be shy to ask questions and ask for help from medical professionals. They will tell you in detail about how to feed the baby and how to properly hold him in your arms.

Feeding a newborn baby: basic rules and recommendations

Young parents, who for the first time faced all the joys and hardships of fatherhood and motherhood, believe that all difficulties are simply insurmountable. But we advise you to remember the words from everyone's favorite cartoon Carlson: "Calm and only calm." Always remember one thing - the best thing you can give your newborn baby - breast milk.

This process is quite simple, because it is predetermined by nature itself. The composition of mother's milk includes many immunological components and nutritional components that protect the newborn from various pathogenic microorganisms and bacteria, and also contribute to the proper functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

organism expectant mother throughout pregnancy, actively prepares for the feeding process, actively producing all the necessary hormones and storing subcutaneous fat.

It is worth noting that milk production starts labor activity , and all that a woman needs after the birth of a child is to feed him in a timely manner and leave breastfeeding in the child's diet for as long as possible.

After the passage of the child through the birth canal in the first minutes of his birth, he experiences relaxation. And half an hour after birth the newborn is ready to actively suckle the breast. The best option is to give him a breast as soon as he wants it. Based on this, we can say that it is best to attach the baby to the breast only after giving birth to the placenta and leaving the delivery room.

Do not limit yourself to one breast while breastfeeding. The baby must first suck on one breast first, and then proceed to the other. If after the birth of the crumbs you are deprived of such an opportunity, then attach it to your chest as soon as a happy reunion occurs.

The first feeding is extremely important not only for the baby, who during childbirth experienced a tremendous load and stress, but also for a young mother, who, as a result, will improve lactation.

Due to periodic and abundant sucking, the uterus of the woman in labor effectively contracts, as a result of which the hormonal balance is restored, which reduces the likelihood of postpartum complications.

Mom's first milk, as we said earlier, this is colostrum, which is the most valuable food for a newborn baby. Thanks to him, the baby successfully adapts to life in new conditions and new food, unlike the one he received in the womb.

Visually, colostrum is a sticky and incredibly thick liquid that is saturated with protective antibodies, minerals, vitamins and proteins.

Colostrum successfully envelops the walls of the stomach and intestines, making them less vulnerable to pathogenic microflora. Thanks to chemical composition provides a strong immune defense of the newborn, which, in turn, creates optimal conditions for further development and growth.

As a result of feeding with colostrum, there is no load on the organs of the gastrointestinal tract of the baby, nor on his kidneys, which, even for the first time after birth, are unable to process large amounts of food on their own. Besides, colostrum contains a high concentration of magnesium, which has a laxative effect, which makes it easier for the intestines to clear meconium (feces).

In the first month of life, a newborn needs from two to twenty milliliters per application. The size of the baby's stomach is comparable to a large pearl, therefore, in one application, the baby is unable to suck out a large amount of milk. Because of this, it is necessary to apply the baby to the mother's breast as often as possible.

In the first month of their life, children sleep from 20 to 22 hours a day, so young and inexperienced mothers do not understand how many times it is necessary to feed the child if he is not awake. To do this, it is enough to attach the child to the breast, and through a dream it will begin to actively look for the nipple, and when it finds it, it will cling to it. Nature took care of that too.

What positions are good for breastfeeding?

Perhaps the most important factor when breastfeeding is the comfort of the chosen position. Such a peculiar process of intimacy between mother and child should give pleasure to both of them. let's consider The two main optimal feeding positions are:

Is it necessary to express milk?

Expressing milk is necessary in the following cases:

  • if the child does not eat all the milk on his own. To prevent stagnation and inflammatory processes, it is necessary not only to express milk, but also to knead carefully all the bumps and nodules;
  • in case you need to leave during the day, perhaps for work. By pumping milk into a bottle, your family will have the opportunity to feed the baby from a bottle;
  • if for some reason you are not together. You may be in the hospital or taking medication, but you need to keep lactating.

"Harmful" breast milk, which includes various decay products of medicines, should not be given to a child, decanting, it is immediately poured out. As for good milk, it can be frozen using special sterile bags. It can be stored for a long time, while not losing its useful properties. It must be defrosted correctly by placing it in a room and allowing it to naturally move away or warm it up in a water bath.

How many times should a newborn be fed and for how long?

Starting from gestation, a close relationship is formed between mother and child. Lactation helps them learn to communicate with each other and also allows them to recover from childbirth. Therefore, in this case, feeding on demand plays a special role.

Breast sucking allows you to establish lactation and avoid stagnation of colostrum (milk), which quite often causes the formation of inflammatory processes and subsequent diseases of the mammary glands.

Volume of milk produced has a direct relationship with the number of prolactin receptors in the mammary glands, which will be stimulated by effective and frequent sucking.

At first, a newborn baby can be applied to the mammary glands at intervals of every 15-30 minutes, and also sleep with her in her mouth, periodically sucking. With the help of this manipulation, the baby not only provides himself with food, but also calms down, overcoming birth stress.

How long should the baby lie at the breast? At such a young age, the baby will need at least 20 minutes to feed. Therefore, it is necessary that the mother has all the relatives who will take upon themselves the obligation to clean, cook, and much more.

What foods are prohibited for a nursing mother?

List of products that are forbidden to mom while breastfeeding:

Products that are allowed in limited quantities while breastfeeding:

  • salt;
  • sugar;
  • confectionery, sweets;
  • bakery products;
  • pasta from the highest grades of flour;
  • sour cream and diluted milk.

Allowed products during lactation:

  • dried fruit compotes, fruit drinks and teas;
  • vegetarian soups;
  • steam cutlets, boiled and stewed chickens, turkey fillet, as well as low-fat varieties of beef and pork;
  • vegetables and fruits, painted in green and whitish tones;
  • corn, oatmeal, rice and buckwheat;
  • dairy products.

Undoubtedly, breastfeeding is the gold standard of nutrition for children. But what to do when a mother cannot breastfeed? Let's say she is sick, she has no or little milk, or there are other reasons. Artificial feeding with milk mixtures is called for help. In order for it to be beneficial, it is important to know all the nuances - how often to feed a newborn with a mixture, how much formula can be given, which one is better to choose, etc.

What is artificial feeding

This is a replacement (full or partial - 2/3 of the diet) of mother's milk with artificial dairy products.

BTW: Ideal for twins, triplets, etc.


Selection rules

It must be done for the benefit quality product. This is not only about the date of manufacture, the duration of storage after opening the package. First of all, these should be the correct recommendations of the pediatrician, based on:

  • food composition,
  • baby age,
  • his weight
  • body features,
  • reactions to food.
  • his weight
  • body features,
  • reactions to food.


Reasons for replacement

Is there diarrhea or constipation, drowsiness, increased gas formation? Perhaps the dairy product is not suitable. Feeding takes place in the mode of tears and spitting? Something went wrong, didn’t like the taste or something else. So, you need to consult a doctor for advice and advice. Because there are more serious reasons that force a pediatric specialist to replace one formula for artificial feeding with another:

  1. Allergy to the composition (severe rashes).
  2. Requires another, suitable for age.
  3. Due to illness (requires a special composition with medicinal properties).
  4. Stopping weight gain.

BTW: You can not use several different mixtures, give food intended for a different age, or feed a child against his will.

How often can artificial mixtures be changed

No, it is not recommended to do this often and, moreover, arbitrarily without talking with the pediatrician. It is difficult for a child's body to rebuild quickly or, worse, to do it all the time. Try to closely observe the assimilation of the new food by the child:

  1. The rash may go away the next day.
  2. The unfavorable stool improved by evening.
  3. The tummy does not hurt the next morning.
  4. No spitting up or anything like that.

ATTENTION: If something is wrong, pay a visit to the children's clinic. Ask what types of dairy products are ideal.

Mixtures for artificial feeding - types and varieties

Manufacturers manufacture products for artificial feeding of newborns, which are based on milk (goat or cow). She happens:

  • dry, liquid,
  • unleavened and fermented milk substitutes for women's milk,
  • ordinary (the composition is a bit like mother's milk) and adapted (as similar as possible).

Varieties of mixtures for artificial feeding of newborns

ATTENTION: Medicinal and special mixtures are prescribed by a doctor according to indications!

How often to feed a newborn formula - feeding schedule

Is it possible to feed the baby at will and demand? No, it's better not to.

Firstly, this is not mother's milk, which comes in proportion to what he sucked in the previous feeding.

Secondly, the baby's body needs time to digest artificial food. Otherwise, if the break is not observed, nothing good will come from adding fresh food to undigested food.

When a baby is bottle-fed, he must consume the prescribed amount of food, and strictly by the hour.

How to enter the mixture correctly - cooking rules

If this is the first introduction to the diet of dairy products (or new), then carry out the process for 5-7 days. Initially, a small volume is offered (no more than one third of the prescribed portion). If everything went well, the amount of food increases during the week.

Rules for the preparation of milk formula and feeding

The first thing to do is to carefully read the instructions for preparing a dairy product and stick to it. A larger or smaller amount of the contents of a pack or jar is fraught with belching, regurgitation, unstable stools and other consequences that are dangerous for the liver, kidneys, pancreas and other organs. When preparing a mass that a tiny artificial man must certainly like, keep in mind:

It is prepared exclusively before feeding and in no case - not for the future.

Water (boiled) and the product are quickly mixed in the right proportion until completely dissolved. Then shakes.

It is necessary to cook only in well-sterilized dishes.

Used for breeding specialized water without harmful substances.

The feeding nipple must be suitable for the baby.

REMEMBER: The temperature of the cooked food should be 36-37° (by dropping a drop on your wrist, check - the liquid should not be felt).


How to calculate the required amount of formula for feeding

The norm is calculated based on the age of the crumbs, weight and appetite. In principle, the so-called. "bulk method". For example, per day the main food should be:

Example. The weight of an infant aged 3.5 months is 5700. Give him 950 ml of an adapted formula per day. But the approximate amount of food, as well as how many hours to feed, is specified in each case separately with the doctor, and not “by eye”.

REMEMBER: Your little "artificial" can eat different amounts of food at a time. The determining factor may be well-being, appetite and other factors.

How much food is needed in one feeding?

To do this, the daily volume is divided by the number of receptions. Those. from the formula 950:6 = 158 we see that at a time through the required period of time (with six feedings) the little one should be given about 160 g.

BTW: The volume of the artificial product does not include juice, water, decoctions of fruits and vegetables. If the menu includes complementary foods ( vegetable puree, yolk, cottage cheese), the fact should be taken into account when determining the desired volume of the mixture.

How to properly formula feed your baby

How many times to feed - feeding schedule

How to find out after what time, how many times to feed the "artificial"? Their feeding schedule is usually traditional. So, in the first month of life, it is necessary to give food 6-7 times, i.e. a break is maintained somewhere in 3-3.5 hours. (At night, the interval can be about 6 hours). After the interval increases.

ATTENTION: If you notice that the “artificial” baby is not enough, he does not eat up, consult a doctor about increasing the number of feedings.

In a word, everything is determined, and then, if necessary, the doctor will correct it. For example, the baby will not cope with the recommended volume at a time. So, feed more often, but in smaller portions.

One way or another, it is advisable to closely monitor the behavior of the little one. He should not be lethargic and inactive. Should be gaining weight well. Otherwise, at the reception, at the clinic!

BTW: Include water in your formula-fed diet! But do not take it into account when calculating the total volume daily allowance children's meal.


Advantages of artificial feeding

So, is there no breast milk, or are there other good reasons for not breastfeeding? Do not rush to get upset! Yes, the artificial nutrition recommended to you does not contain such unique elements of human milk. But still, this feeding system has its advantages.

  1. The most adapted: with the greatest degree of similarity with mother's milk.
  2. Highly adapted: due to the presence of tauric acid, nutrition is ideal for premature babies.
  3. With less adaptation: from cow's milk powder, without whey, but with the observance of other adaptation parameters.
  4. With partial adaptation: without whey, with incomplete adaptation of carbohydrates and fats, starch and sucrose; unacceptable for newborns.
  5. Special: for special occasions when special nutrition is required (babies with a weakened immune system, premature babies).
  6. Therapeutic (lactose-free, soy, semi-elementary, with thickeners - for allergies, malabsorption of food in the intestines, low weight, disorders of the intestinal flora, etc.).
    • in the first two months of life - 1/5 of body weight,
    • in 2-4 months - 1/6,
    • at 4-6 months - 1/7,
    • after six months - 1/8-1/9.
    1. Before feeding with a powder or liquid product mixed with baby water, the temperature of the resulting mass is checked (should not be higher than 36.6-37 degrees).
    2. It is important to observe that the baby does not swallow air while sucking.
    3. Unused mixture should not be given again.
    4. The child should be in a semi-vertical position.
    5. After eating, the dishes and the nipple must be sterilized with high quality.
    1. When preparing food, take the mixture with a clean measuring spoon.
    2. In the first days, prepare the desired volume by adding 10-20 ml. When the “artificial” baby’s diet improves, it will be easier to select the amount.
    3. Yes, milk during artificial feeding is longer in the stomach, and therefore the regimen is established. But if the baby becomes very worried about 15-20 minutes before feeding, do not torment - feed.
    4. The nipple should be with a normal, not a large hole - the milk does not flow in streams, but drips.
    5. Hold