First-Time Parent? 9 Useful Tips For Feeding Your Newborn

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There’s no feeling comparable to bringing a child into this world. New parents often experience joy, excitement, and of course, nervousness. After all, you’ll be responsible for a little human.  Check out these 9 tips for feeding your newborn.

From nap schedules to bath routines, there’s a lot to figure out. In particular, first-time parents feel anxious about feeding their newborn. Is breastfeeding better? What if your baby is born prematurely? Is formula safe and healthy for babies? You probably have a million such questions over your head. 

Here are some important things you should know about feeding your baby. 

breastfeeding pillow -Tips For Feeding Your Newborn

Don’t Feel Guilty About Not Breastfeeding

There are countless benefits associated with breastfeeding. Your breast milk has all of the nutrients a newborn needs! Besides the baby, breastfeeding is beneficial for new moms as well. It can help nursing moms lose weight gained during pregnancy. Moreover, breast milk is free. 

That said, breastfeeding might not be possible for all new moms, and you shouldn’t feel guilty about it. From comfort level to the inability to produce sufficient milk, there are plenty of reasons why breastfeeding might be unsuitable. In such cases, baby formula is the ideal choice. I feel like this is the #1 tips for feeding your newborn.

Feeding is a Bonding Experience

Whether you are breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, this is a crucial time for bonding with your child. Touch, eye contact, and other interactions will help you form an attachment with your little one and promote their future development. Skin-to-skin contact offers short-term and long-term benefits for premature babies as well. 

Best Organic Baby Formula -Tips For Feeding Your Newborn

Carefully Pick a Suitable Formula

With so many options out there, choosing a baby formula can be overwhelming. In addition to consulting your baby’s pediatrician, you should also take cost and convenience into consideration. If you have to go out of your way to get a particular brand, it’s better to choose a readily available alternative.

However, you should be aware that cow milk baby formula products can be especially harmful to premature babies. You should look for a specialized formula suitable for preemies. 

Stick with Breastmilk or Formula

Breastmilk and formula have everything your baby needs to grow. Don’t feed them water, juice, regular milk, or anything other than breast milk or formula. When your baby turns 6 months old, consult your pediatrician and accordingly start introducing other food.

Figure Out Latching

Getting a good latch is important for babies to feed properly and for new moms to feel comfortable while breastfeeding. While most babies can latch effectively, some infants may have trouble latching. And that’s nothing to worry about. Talk to your baby’s pediatrician and lactation consultation to figure out the problem and fix it.

Look Out For Hunger Cues

Babies usually need to be fed every 2-3 hours. However, this can vary depending on the baby and the time of the day. It would be best to look for hunger cues so that you can feed your baby before they start crying. Moving fists to mouth, lip-smacking, and opening and closing mouth are just a few signs indicating your baby is hungry. 

Prepare For Night Feedings

A lack of sleep can take a toll on your health. If you are struggling to wake up multiple times during the night to feed your baby, ask your partner or a family member to lend you a helping hand. They can take overnight feedings or help put the baby back to sleep once you are done feeding. 

Take Care of Yourself

As soon as your baby arrives, they will become the center of everyone’s attention. However, that doesn’t mean you can neglect your physical, mental, and physical well-being

We suggest drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated when breastfeeding. Use warm compress, serums, and other topical creams to deal with cracked nipples. A well-balanced diet and good overall health are also important for keeping up the milk supply. Another one of the best tips for feeding your newborn.

simple serve bottle warmer

Invest in Smart Gadgets

Being a new parent is anything but easy. Taking care of your newborn, along with other responsibilities, can be a lot. Luckily, there are plenty of gadgets that can make your life easier. 

When your baby is crying to be fed, you might end up panicking trying to heat the milk and sterilize bottles. Instead of all that hassle, get yourself a bottle warmer and sterilizer. This gadget is especially useful for night feedings.

Wrapping Up

The first few months with your newborn can be quite challenging. But the good news is that everyday things will gradually become easier. Moreover, there’s no shame in seeking help if you’re overexerted. Hopefully, the aforementioned tips for feeding your newborn will help you on your baby-feeding journey.

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