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Feeding
Feeding is a time to nurture your baby emotionally, as well as nutritionally. It is important to hold, cuddle and talk to your baby during feedings.
You may wonder how to tell if your baby is hungry. To catch your baby at her best, watch for the following early feeding cues or signs. You will recognize these cues with a little time.
- She may open her mouth and make little sucking movements.
- She may put her fist to her mouth.
- She may turn toward anything that comes near her mouth or cheeks.
- She will move her body. This may look like squirming.
- She also may make soft sounds.
- If her eyes are closed you may notice her eyes moving under her eyelids. This is called rapid eye movement.
When your baby shares these feeding cues, put her to your breast or prepare a bottle of formula. For the first couple of weeks, your baby should eat at least eight to 12 times every 24 hours.
Newborns are normally sleepy for the first few days after birth, which can make it seem like they don't want to eat this often. However, being asleep does not mean your baby is not hungry. A newborn's need to sleep can override her feelings of hunger. Babies do not understand feeding schedules. Trying to keep your baby on an artificially longer pattern can cause frantic hunger.
Related Links
Chart your baby's first feeding and diapers (requires Adobe Reader)
Source: Allina Patient Education, Allina Medical Guide for the Care of Children, third edition, ISBN 1-931876-18-5
First published: 10/04/2002
Last updated: 11/30/2006
Reviewed by: Allina Patient Education experts