newborn care

Child Health, Women's Health, Primary Care

A Strong Start: Your Guide to Feeding Your Newborn

No matter how you choose to nourish your baby, expect the first week of their life to be all about feeding, all the time. Whether you're breastfeeding, formula feeding or both, there are a few things to keep in mind as you get started. 

Soon after your baby is born, they’ll be sleepy – but they’ll also be ready to eat. “Being born is hard work!” says Dr. Stephanie Kwon, a pediatrician at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Charlotte Pediatrics.

Whether you’re breastfeeding, formula feeding or both, there are a few things to keep in mind as you get started. As you determine what route is best for you and your baby, it can be comforting just to know that help is available if you need it.

“Your pediatric care team is there along the way to support you and your newborn during this time,” says Kwon.

Kwon also encourages moms to embrace help from family and loved ones and share in the feeding responsibilities, if possible.

“Letting others feed your baby can give you a much-needed break to rest or for normal daily activities, like taking a shower,” says Kwon. “It can also help your newborn create bonds with other family members and develop early communication skills.”

Know Your Options

Breastfeeding

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends exclusively breastfeeding until your baby is 6 months old. Breastfeeding has many benefits, including providing essential nutrients and protecting your baby from illnesses. If you’re exclusively breastfeeding, just remember to give your baby a daily vitamin D supplement to ensure they’re getting what they need.

It might take time and practice to learn the basics of breastfeeding, so don’t give up if it doesn’t happen easily or if you face any breastfeeding challenges, like low supply or latch issues.

“Both you and your new baby are learning,” explains Kwon. “Your body will be working hard to recover from delivery, and it’s normal for it to take a few days for breast milk to come in.”

Even if your breast milk takes its time, your baby can get all the nutrients they need from colostrum. It’s the first drops of milk your body produces and is a concentrated liquid full of healthy antibodies, fats, sugars and proteins. It’s so nutrient-rich, your baby won’t need much to be satisfied while you wait for your milk supply to increase.

Formula Feeding

Everyone’s feeding experience looks different, and formula is designed to help support that journey.

“Formula provides the necessary nutrition for infants and allows parents who aren’t breastfeeding to meet their baby’s needs,” says Kwon.

There are a variety of formula options on the market, including some that target specific issues, like protein allergies, reflux, gas and prematurity. Formulas are also enriched with iron and the recommended daily amount of vitamin D, so your baby won’t need those added supplements.  

If you have a question about a specific brand, talk to your baby’s pediatrician – especially if the formula is made outside the U.S.

“European-brand formulas are unregulated by our standards, so check with your pediatrician to make sure the formula has the recommended iron and vitamin D,” says Kwon.

For formula-fed babies, Kwon recommends a practice called paced-feeding. By holding your baby upright and letting them latch onto a bottle like a breast, paced-feeding mimics breastfeeding and helps your baby feed more slowly.

Pumping

Many moms want to feed their baby breast milk, but sometimes it’s not possible to feed your baby directly from the breast. Whether you’re returning to work or traveling, pumping is a great way to provide breast milk for your baby until you return home.

In fact, some moms choose pumping as the primary way they feed their baby, often due to concerns with latch or milk supply. Exclusive pumping isn’t for everyone, though – just like breastfeeding, it’s hard work. So talk to your pediatrician or a lactation consultant to learn how often to pump and for tips to make it work for you. 

Combination Feeding

Another option is a hybrid approach known as combination feeding – or feeding your baby from both the breast and the bottle. Whether you are concerned your baby isn’t gaining enough weight, want your partner involved in feedings or just need a more flexible option, combination feeding allows you to do all the above, while still giving your baby the benefits of breast milk.   

For combination feeding, the bottle can be filled with breast milk or formula – it’s up to you and what’s best for your family.   

Time to Feed

No matter how you choose to nourish your baby, expect the first week of their life to be all about feeding, all the time.

Most newborns feed about 8 to 12 times in 24 hours, which can be tiring for everyone.

“Sometimes everyone sleeps through a feed,” says Kwon. “Don’t worry! You need to get rest and let your body recover, too. Just make sure you’re getting those frequent feeds in where you left off.”

While sleeping through a feed is totally normal, falling asleep while feeding your baby can be dangerous. Whenever you’re feeding your baby, make sure you’re fully awake and sitting upright. This will help you stay alert and keep your baby safe.

Rest assured feedings will only get easier as the weeks go on. Your baby will start taking in more ounces per feeding, and as they continue gaining weight, your pediatrician might even guide you to a less frequent feeding schedule.

Are They Getting Enough?

Over time, you’ll get an idea of how much your baby needs to eat in each feeding. For instance, if you’re breastfeeding, you’ll notice your breasts feel softer or emptier after a feeding, and if you’re bottle-feeding, you’ll learn how many ounces to put in.

But one of the best ways to know if your baby is getting enough nutrients is by watching their weight. Although your baby might lose a little bit of weight during the first couple of weeks, they’ll gain it back quickly.

“If your baby isn’t gaining weight as we’d like, we may advise you to wake them to feed and not go longer than three hours between feedings until they’re back to their birth weight,” says Kwon. “This helps establish your milk supply and gives your baby enough energy to have good feedings and weight gain.”

But weight isn’t the only thing your pediatrician wants to know about.

“We always ask about pees and poops,” says Kwon.

By around the third day of your baby’s life, you can expect about five to eight wet diapers a day and three to four stools. To help you keep track, Kwon suggests using an app or a notepad where you can record how often you feed your baby as well as how often you change their diaper.

You’ll Know Best

No matter how you choose to feed your baby, don’t feel guilty if you have to change plans along the way.

“Parents should have feeding goals but also an open mind if a feeding method doesn’t work out as they had planned,” says Kwon. “A fed baby is best!”

So breast, bottle or combination? They all have their benefits, but the right choice is whatever is best for you and your baby.

If you like this article, and want to see more like it, you can also get a free copy of Atrium Health Levine Children’s "Yeah Baby! A trimester-by-trimester guide to pregnancy and newborn care." 

Need to find a pediatrician? Find one near you and learn more about Levine Children's pediatric services. Once you find a pediatrician you like, you can tour their office, meet the team and see if they’re the best fit for your family – all before your little one’s first visit. Schedule an expectant parent tour.