Breastfeeding
Breast milk is the best food for your baby, it gives your baby all the nutrients he needs until he or she is about 6 months old. You can start feeding your baby as soon as possible after birth or within 1 hour of delivery. This is necessary to get your milk production started.
Starting around 4 to 6 months, your baby will need a supplementary source of iron. This iron can come from cereal for example. Discuss breast feeding with your doctor to ensure there are no complications.
Feed your baby as long as he or she wants to. If you baby is hungry, the automatic response is to cry. If you baby is contented, he or she will fall asleep or release your nipple spontaneously. Feed your baby as often as and whenever she or he wants to be fed.
Feeding Tips:
- Start breast feeding as soon as possible after giving birth. Your baby’s sucking reflexes are strongest immediately after he’s born.
- In the beginning, you will be feeding whenever your baby is hungry. That’s about every 2 to 3 hours.
- Avoid dieting, drinking alcohol and smoking, especially while breastfeeding.
- Breast feeding should not hurt, so if you experience soreness, cracked skin, or inflammation ask your doctor about it.
- If you can’t or don’t want to breastfeed your baby for the first months, you can choose to feed him formula milk.
Feed your baby from both breasts at one feeding. You will produce the most milk if your breasts are emptied during the feed.
Solid food
Your baby is ready for solid food when he or she is around 6 months old. Talk to your doctor about when to start. You can notice when your child is ready to on solid food when:
- Your baby’s weight gain has slowed down compared to previous weeks.
- Your baby doesn’t sleep through the night.
- Your baby is not satisfied with only breast milk and formula.
- Your baby is able to hold his head up and chewing movements have begun.
By about 6 months old, variety becomes very important. The good eating habits that your child develops at this stage will last through his or her life.
Remember that while you may have to try feeding a particular food on several occasions before your baby accepts it, it is important never to force your child to eat anything. Eating should be a positive experience, so if he rejects a food one day, simply put it away and make a mental note to try again in a week or so; in all likelihood you’ll get a positive reception on a future try.
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