Baby Care: Feeding Tips
August 19, 2010 by Baby Tending
Filed under baby development
When it comes to a new baby, feeding is one of the most common areas in which people have questions and concerns. Whether it’s your first baby or your fifth, you will find that each child is unique in their eating patterns and habits. This is why it’s so important to know that while you may want some type of plan in mind, you also need to stay flexible with your baby care feeding.
Here is some basic information that you can apply to you and your baby. There are different stages of eating when it comes to babies:
• Bottle fed
• Spoon fed
• Eating on their own
Depending on which stage your child is at will depend on how you want to approach feeding. Bottle fed babies need two and a half ounces of formula for every pound of body weight. Breast fed babies will take as much or as little as needed and the woman’s body will adjust to accommodate this. Feeding should take place every three to four hours but your baby will help you to know when to feed them.
Spoon feeding should start around six to eight months. Depending on your child’s development this may come earlier or later. Consult your pediatrician to know if your baby is ready to start eating more solid foods. Baby foods normally come in stages from one to three. Stage one baby food is more liquid in texture while stage three is much more solid. Feed your baby jar food between three to four times a day with finger foods once or twice if they can handle it. Your baby will go through growth spurts that require you to feed them more to satisfy them. Watch your baby and they will let you know when they’re ready to eat.
As you jar feed your baby they will learn to eat more easily on their own. Especially if you feed them baby snacks that they can pick up and eat when they want. This teaches your baby to feed themselves and will ultimately help them make the transition from being fed to feeding themselves.
Applying these tips to your child will help them to grow. Have good communication with your baby’s doctor and let them help you determine what’s best. Also keep good communication with your baby. Even if they can’t speak, they will let you know when they’re ready for things.
