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What do I feed my new baby?"Breastfeeding was harder than I expected. But well worth it."
You’ve probably heard that breastfeeding is best for you and your baby. You may have even heard that breastfed babies get sick less often. But did you know that your baby will benefit from breast milk long after you’ve stopped nursing? Lots of parents are surprised to find out that babies who are breastfed for at least 6 months are less likely to be overweight or obese as they get older. Breastfeeding can be a lot of work, but it’s a great way to bond with your baby and help him stay healthy. Parent 2 Parent"Even though I’d heard about the benefits, I wasn’t sure if I was going to breastfeed. I just wasn’t sure I’d feel comfortable doing it. But after the first couple weeks, our time together nursing was one of the highlights of my day. Now my baby is 11 months old, and we’re still nursing!" To help your baby get all the benefits of breast milk: - Give her only breast milk for the first 6 months.
- Once she starts eating solids, try to keep breastfeeding until she’s at least 12 months old.
Many babies and moms successfully breastfeed for a year or longer! Want more information? If you have questions or just need some support: - Talk with your doctor or your child’s doctor
- Call 1-800-994-9662 for free breastfeeding support
For additional answers and support you can also locate a lactation consultant. Be sure to ask the lactation consultant about fees for her services. Visit the link below for more information. Here are some other online resources: I just started breastfeeding. How do I know if I’m doing it right?First, congratulations on making this healthy choice for you and your baby! Second, breastfeeding can be hard. If it’s harder than you thought it would be, you’re not alone. But it does get easier! Parent 2 Parent"I really struggled with breastfeeding after my son was born and worried about whether he was getting enough milk. My pediatrician referred me to a lactation consultant who taught me how to make sure my son latched on properly. She also weighed my son before and after feeding so we could see exactly how much milk he was getting. I could drop by any time to weigh him and talk about any feeding issues I was having. She was an incredible resource." It’s normal for breastfeeding moms to worry, especially about: - Making enough milk for your baby
- Getting your baby to latch on the right way
- Feeling like all you do is breastfeed
- Having breast or nipple pain
Don’t give up. After nursing or pumping milk for 2 to 4 weeks, you’ll feel more confident - it will get easier! Quick tipsGetting Started with Breastfeeding - Set small goals. For example, instead of worrying about how you’ll breastfeed for the next 6 months, promise yourself to breastfeed for at least the next 2 weeks.
- Tell your partner and family that breastfeeding is important to you and your baby. Ask for their support.
- Talk to other moms who’ve breastfed their babies. Ask them what worked for them.
Want more information?Many insurance plans will pay for you to speak to a breastfeeding expert. How do I know if my baby is eating enough? "I just fed my baby 15 minutes ago, and he is crying again. Is he hungry already?"
Crying doesn’t always mean that your baby is hungry. For about the first month, babies usually breastfeed every 2 to 3 hours. As they get older, their bellies are able to hold more and they nurse less often. Watch your baby for signs that she’s full - like turning her head away or falling asleep. If your baby sucks on her fingers or moves her mouth like she’s eating, it doesn’t always mean she’s hungry - babies do these things to comfort themselves. In the first few days of life, if your baby is frequently wanting to feed and crying, she may truly be having difficulty with breastfeeding. If you are concerned that your baby isn’t eating enough, talk to your baby’s doctor. How do I keep breastfeeding while I get back to my regular life?Many moms wonder how they’ll schedule trips to the grocery store, errands, and time with friends and family around a baby’s feeding schedule. Before their babies are born, most moms say they plan to breastfeed. But after their babies are born, lots of moms find it hard to figure out how to keep breastfeeding and still live a “normal” life after the first month. Parent 2 Parent Double Wide"When I was ready to leave the house with my baby, I found a baby wrap that would keep him close to me and allow me to breastfeed while out in public. It covered me well so I didn’t feel uncomfortable while I was breastfeeding." Need another reason to keep breastfeeding? Leaving the house with a baby can be a challenge - diapers, wipes, binky, extra clothes… The list goes on. But when you are nursing, his food goes where you go - one less thing to pack! Remember: The longer you breastfeed, the greater the benefits are for you and your baby. Quick tips: Breastfeeding on-the-goWhat do dressing rooms, scarves, and breast pumps have in common? They can all help you give your baby breast milk while you go about your day. - Many stores offer areas where moms can nurse their babies. Talk to other moms to learn where these are. And if you can’t find a nursing area, a dressing room can be a great option.
- If you are nervous about breastfeeding in public, use a nursing cover, favorite scarf, or receiving blanket to give you and your baby privacy.
- Check out the options for special nursing clothes. Many stores that sell baby supplies and maternity clothes also sell nursing clothes and bras that let you nurse without calling attention to yourself.
- Buy or rent an electric breast pump. Many insurance plans, including some Medicaid plans, cover all or part of the cost. You can pump your milk before you leave the house and feed your baby a bottle of breast milk while you are out.
How do I get ready to keep breastfeeding after I go back to work?"I'm getting ready to go back to work and I'm torn about what to do."
Many women worry about breastfeeding after they go back to work. It takes a lot of planning and hard work, but it’s worth it! The longer you breastfeed, the greater the benefits are for you and your baby. Parent 2 Parent"I couldn’t afford a fancy breast pump, and the hand-held pumps were too much work. My baby’s doctor told me I could rent one through my insurance plan, and now I’m able to pump milk for my baby to eat when I’m not near her." Quick tips: Breastfeeding and going back to work- Most employers are required by law to give you the time and a place to pump for your baby. Talk to your supervisor about when and where you can pump and store your milk at work.
- Start building a supply of breast milk in your freezer 3 to 4 weeks before you go back to work. This way, you’ll have enough bottles ready to help you get through the first few days of pumping at work.
- Try pumping right after you breastfeed your baby in the morning. Moms usually have more milk than their baby can eat in the early morning.
When do I wean (stop breastfeeding) my baby?"My baby is two months old. Everyone around me is saying that she’s already received the major benefits of breastfeeding. So why continue?"
Breast milk is best for at least the first year of your baby’s life. Many babies and moms successfully breastfeed for a year or longer. Sometimes babies or moms stop breastfeeding before the baby’s first birthday. This doesn’t mean you have to stop feeding your baby breast milk. You can continue to pump milk and give it to your baby in a bottle. When it’s time, you or your baby will start the weaning process. Want more information?If you have questions, are having a hard time breastfeeding, or just need some support, talk with your doctor or your child’s pediatrician. You can also call 1-800-994-9662 for free support if you have questions or problems. Here are some other online resources: What if I’m not breastfeeding my baby?Some parents can’t or don’t breastfeed. If you can’t breastfeed, or if you choose not to, you may be wondering what you need to know about bottle- and formula-feeding. At first, give your baby about 2 ounces of formula every 2 to 3 hours. As your baby grows, you’ll need to increase the amount of formula. Safety tips:- If your baby is too young to hold the bottle on her own, make sure someone holds it for her and takes it away when she’s done.
- Don’t use pillows or other items to hold the bottle for your baby. This makes it hard for your baby to spit the bottle out when she’s done, which can make her choke or cause an ear infection. It can also cause her to keep eating after she’s full.
Want more information? Put breast milk or formula in your baby’s bottle - not cereal."My baby is not sleeping well and I need some sleep too! My mom told me to put cereal in his bottle so that he will sleep all night. Is this a good idea?"
Putting cereal in your baby’s bottle will not help her sleep through the night. Instead, start a simple routine with your baby like taking a warm bath or singing a lullaby. Did you know, putting cereal in your baby’s bottle adds extra calories to her diet that she does not need? Some parents (and grandparents!) worry that young babies aren’t getting enough to eat. But there’s no need to worry — babies under age 6 months get everything they need from breast milk or formula. How do I know when my baby is hungry?"When I brought my baby home from the hospital, he cried all the time. My mother kept telling me feed him to quiet him down, but he still cried."
What’s harder to listen to than a crying baby? Not much! But it may help to remember that crying is how your baby talks to you. With time and practice, you’ll start to recognize that he has different cries that can give you clues about what he needs. Crying doesn’t always mean your baby is hungry. Pay attention to your baby’s cries. Hungry cries sound different than angry cries. If your baby is in pain, the cry will often start with a long “scream”, followed by a pause and more crying.
Instead of feeding your baby every time he cries, first try and figure out why he’s crying. Crying may mean your baby is hungry, but it can also mean your baby is: - Uncomfortable or upset
- Tired
- In need of a diaper change or burping
And sometimes your baby will cry for no reason or just to get rid of extra energy. Take a deep breath and remember that a crying baby doesn’t mean you did anything wrong. After a while, you’ll be able to tell what your baby’s cries mean. If you feel yourself getting frustrated or mad, call a friend or family member to talk about it. If you think your baby is crying more than usual, call your baby’s doctor. Watch for signs that your baby is hungry. When your baby is hungry, he might: - Smack his lips
- Look more awake
- Move his head from side to side (called “rooting”)
Watch for signs that your baby is full. Your baby is smart — she knows when she’s hungry and when she’s full. When you nurse or give her a bottle, watch for signs that she’s had enough. For example, she might: - Slow down or stop sucking
- Get distracted
- Turn her head away
When do I start giving my baby solid foods?Lots of parents are excited to start their babies on solid foods. Others are nervous. Starting to eat solid foods (like baby cereal and baby food) is an important part of your baby’s development. Did you know that babies who start eating solid food too early are more likely to be overweight or obese in childhood and adulthood? This is one more important reason to wait until your baby is really ready before giving him solid foods. Starting around age 6 months, watch for signs that your baby is ready for solid foods.Pay attention to signs that your 6 month-old is ready for solid foods. These signs include: - Sitting up with little support
- Having good head control (can hold head up for a long time)
- Trying to grab food off your plate
- Turning her head away from the bottle or breast when she’s not hungry
Parent 2 Parent"When my first baby started eating solids, I fed him fruits first, which was a mistake. It was a struggle after that to get him to eat any veggies! With my second baby, we started with veggies and meat, and now she eats almost anything I give her." Feed your baby food made for babies.Simple baby foods, like homemade pureed vegetables, infant cereals, and jarred baby foods, provide the right nutrition for your baby.
Parent 2 Parent"I couldn’t afford to buy jarred baby food, so I prepared our food without any seasoning until after it was on our plates. I put little bits of unsalted veggies, meat, or unsweetened fruit in the blender separately for my baby’s meal, and he loved it!" Prepared “grown-up” meals and fast foods can cause an allergic reaction and don’t give your growing baby the right nutrition. Also, they often have many more calories than your baby needs. Remember: Babies don’t need desserts or sweet treats. Skip the baby desserts. Safety tip:- If you make your own baby food, be aware that spinach, beets, green beans, squash, and carrots contain large amounts of nitrates and are not good choices during early infancy.
Have fun with finger foods! Let your baby try feeding herself as soon as she’s ready — usually around 8 or 9 months old. Start giving her foods that she can easily feed herself.
Parent 2 Parent"Once my kids were eating table food, I put veggies in everything. So, if I make scrambled eggs, there are vegetables in it. That way, my kids always get some." Try very small pieces (smaller than a dime) of things like: - Grilled chicken
- Pear without the skin
- Cooked carrots
- Low-sugar cereal
Parent 2 Parent"We always present what we’re eating. We try to encourage our baby to take a bite when we take a bite. It’s like, ‘Oh, look, daddy has peas on his fork, can you put some on your spoon too?" You can still feed your baby pureed, mashed, and jarred food, too. Want more information?Check out these other tips about starting solid foods:
Help new eaters try different foods and explore new tastes.Parent 2 Parent"I used to get upset because my daughter would not finish a jar of food and I felt like I was wasting it. Later I realized that I don’t finish everything on my plate if I’m full, so I shouldn’t be mad if my daughter feels the same way. Now I put just a little food in a bowl to serve and put the jar in the refrigerator so I can save it if she doesn’t finish." Introducing your baby to new foods can be both fun and frustrating. Some parents worry about wasting food and money if their babies don’t like a lot of foods at first. Good news: a new eater only needs 1-2 tablespoons of each food and will gradually increase to 3-4 tablespoons as she gets older. By getting your baby used to lots of different foods, you’ll help him build a healthy diet for life. Be patient and try, try again.When your baby is ready to start eating solid foods (around 6 months), her tastes will change from day to day. A baby may have to try a new food 10 to 15 times over several months before she’ll eat it! Parent 2 Parent"I give my baby the stuff he doesn’t like first, when he’s most hungry. Don’t give him the fruits first — give him the veggie or meat first so he’ll eat it!" Yes, 10 to 15 times sounds like a lot, but you only need to offer her a spoonful each time —not a whole bowl. Try giving her a new food once or twice a week along with foods she regularly eats. Parent 2 Parent"Be creative. When I introduce foods, I make it fun by making sounds or a funny face as I feed my baby." Let your baby try small portions (1 to 2 tablespoons) of many different kinds of healthy foods, including those with different feels and flavors. This will help your child learn to eat healthy. Parent 2 Parent"When my baby wouldn’t eat vegetables, I put a little fruit or yogurt at the tip of the spoon and veggies behind it. That way, he would take the veggies." Make snack time fun with healthy foods!Snacks are a regular part of life for growing babies. It’s also a great time to try new healthy foods. Starting at 9 months, you can give your child healthy snacks 2 to 3 times a day.
Should I give my baby juice? Breast milk and formula are the best choices for your baby. When it’s time for him to start using a cup (around 6 to 9 months), give him breast milk, formula, or water. Parent 2 Parent"Most of my husband’s family lets their kids drink juice in their bottle — and I told them absolutely not, we’re not doing that! It was very hard for me to stand my ground and convince my husband that our daughter would be very happy with just formula or breast milk." Soda pop and juice — even 100% fruit juice: - Add unneeded calories to your baby’s diet
- Get your baby used to very sweet, sugary flavors
Soda and juice can also harm your baby’s new teeth (even if you can’t see them yet!) Your baby is sweet enough without adding sugar to her diet!
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