{"id":1265,"date":"2023-03-28T23:07:07","date_gmt":"2023-03-28T23:07:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chministries.org\/?p=1265"},"modified":"2024-07-23T12:17:19","modified_gmt":"2024-07-23T17:17:19","slug":"newborn-feeding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chministries.org\/blog\/newborn-feeding\/","title":{"rendered":"Newborn feeding"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Your newborn baby is a blessing, a joy<\/a>, and a gift from God. They’re also a huge undertaking, and it can be difficult to know whether you’re giving the best possible care to your newborn<\/a>. With sleepless nights<\/a>, struggles with self-care, and the need to stay steadfast in your relationship with God, it’s important to get a handle on feeding a newborn as well as their sleep schedules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How often to feed your newborn<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Feed your baby when they show signs of hunger rather than putting them on a newborn feeding schedule. Your baby may cue you by turning their head in search of the breast, sucking on their fingers or hands, making sucking noises, or opening and closing their mouth. Try to recognize these feeding cues and feed your baby before they start crying, which is a late sign of hunger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Babies often feed irregularly. Sometimes they go an hour or less between feedings and other times they might go as long as three or four hours between feedings. The length of each feed also varies. You should continue feeding as long as your baby is actively sucking and swallowing. Most babies signal that they’re finished by relaxing their face and hands, and no longer showing any feeding cues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generally, a newborn baby should be fed every two to three hours, so if you don\u2019t see feeding cues by hour three, try to feed the baby\u2014even if it requires waking them up. If your baby seems satisfied, produces about six wet diapers and several stools a day, sleeps well, and is gaining weight regularly, then you\u2019ll know they’re eating enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breastfeeding tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Breast milk is the optimal source of baby nutrition. It meets their nutritional needs for their first six months\u2014the age when solid foods are usually added to the diet. Your baby doesn\u2019t require any additional water or food before then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While breastfeeding is natural, it\u2019s still a learning process for you and your baby, and it may take weeks before you both get the hang of it. If you\u2019re feeling lost or confused along the way, many people can help:<\/p>\n\n\n\n