UNION HOSPITAL MATERNITY SERVICES

Caring For Your Baby: Feeding

Regardless of how you choose to feed your baby, feeding will be one of your baby's first pleasant experiences. Many babies are not very hungry during the first few days of life. Some babies take a little longer to work up an appetite, and not all babies eat the same amount. Try not to worry or compare your newborn with others.

While most baby experts agree that breast feeding is best, formula feeding is a healthy choice for your baby.

• Feed your baby on demand or when he/she is hungry. This will usually be every 3-5 hours for bottle-fed babies and every 2-4 hours for breast-fed babies. During the day, do not allow your baby to go longer than 5 hours between feedings. Bottles of water are not needed, as your baby gets plenty of water in formula or breast milk.
• Solid foods or juice should not be started until your baby is 4-6 months old. Your doctor will advise you when it is time. Infant feeders or syringes should never be used.

Breast Feeding

This is discussed in a separate booklet and individual instruction will be given.

Formula Feeding

Preparing Your Baby's Formula
Your doctor will recommend a specific brand of formula for your baby. Formula comes in three forms: dry powder, concentrated liquid, and ready-to-feed formula. Procedures for mixing formula should be followed according to the manufacturer's specifications in order to be certain your baby gets the proper mixture of nutrients and vitamins.

Sterilization

1. Wash your bottles, nipples and caps in hot, soapy water and rinse well.
2. Place bottles, nipples and caps in a large pot or sterilizer and cover with water. If using a pot, place a clean dishcloth on the bottom.
3. Cover and boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, but leave covered for another 15 minutes.
4. If using powdered or concentrated formula, mix with sterile water. Sterile water may be purchased (Nursery Water) or you can boil water for 5 minutes and let it stand for 15 minutes before mixing.
5. Fill each bottle with the amount for one feeding.
6. Prepared formula may be kept for 48 hours in the refrigerator.
7. After each feeding, throw the unused formula away.
8. Use a clean bottle for each feeding.
9. Warm the formula (if you prefer) by placing the bottle in a pan or bowl with warm water or hold it under running tap water.
10. Burp your newborn after each 1/2-ounce. As the baby gets older, you can burp less often.

DO NOT USE A MICROWAVE.
It may cause burns to the baby's mouth.

Never prop the bottle. Always hold your baby while feeding. Propping the bottle may cause tooth decay. It is also believed to cause ear infections. The newborn baby could choke on a propped bottle.