Make Sure Your Baby Gets Enough

You may have already started thinking about how you’re planning to feed your baby: By breast, with formula, or with both. If you’re interested in breastfeeding, remember that it’s a learned skill — it might not come naturally to you or your baby! 

Luckily, support is available. If you choose formula, ask your care provider which types they recommend. Remember, whichever method you choose, the most important thing is that your baby gets enough to eat.
 
Make sure baby gets enough
How much milk or formula will your baby need, and how will you know if they are getting enough? According to the Mayo Clinic, most newborns need 8 to 12 feedings a day — about one every two to three hours.

During growth spurts, which often occur every two to three weeks, babies may take in more at each feeding or want to eat more often. 

Feed yourself, too!
If you breastfeed, keep in mind that you have to stay well-fed too! Taking care of yourself will keep your milk supply strong.

• Eat three well-balanced meals a day.
• Drink plenty of fluids — aim for 13 to 15 cups of water a day.
• Keep your coffee or tea to one cup per day, and avoid alcohol.
• If your baby is fussy after you eat a certain food or spice, avoid it for a while. Try it again later to see if it is a problem. 

Common breastfeeding challenges

Even with the best latch and technique, breastfeeding can come with a few bumps in the road. Here's how to handle the most common ones, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP):

• Sore nipples: Mild tenderness is normal in the first couple of weeks. If pain persists, double-check your baby's latch, or ask a lactation consultant for help.
• Engorgement: Full, hard breasts can make it harder for your baby to latch. Nursing frequently — or hand-expressing a little milk beforehand — can help soften things.
• Low milk supply: Feeding on demand and adding extra pumping sessions can help signal your body to produce more.
• Blocked ducts: A warm compress, gentle massage, and continued nursing on the affected side can help clear things up.

If any of these don't improve, or if you notice fever, redness, or severe pain, check in with your pediatrician or a lactation consultant.

Pumping, storing, and serving breastmilk

If you plan to pump — whether to build a supply, share feedings with a partner, or head back to work — a little know-how goes a long way. Here's what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends:

• Pumping: Wash your hands before pumping, and clean all pump parts that touch milk after every use.
• Storing: Freshly pumped milk can stay at room temperature for up to 4 hours, in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or in the freezer for up to 6 months (up to 12 months in a deep freezer). Label containers with the date, and store milk toward the back of the fridge or freezer — not in the door — where the temperature stays more consistent.
• Thawing: Thaw frozen milk in the refrigerator overnight or under warm running water — never in the microwave, which can create hot spots and destroy nutrients. Use thawed milk within 24 hours, and never refreeze it.
• Serving: Breastmilk doesn't need to be warmed — it's fine served cold or at room temperature. If you do warm it, place the sealed container in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes.

For more guidance on pumping, storing, and traveling with breastmilk, talk to a Lactation Consultant. They can observe and correct your baby's latch and measure how much milk is transferred during a feeding.

Formula feeding

Breastfeeding isn't the right option for every family, and that's okay — commercial infant formula is a safe, healthy way to feed your baby. Here's what to know, according to the CDC and the AAP:

• Choosing a formula: Babies younger than 12 months need infant formula specifically designed for their nutritional needs — not toddler formulas or drinks, which often contain added sugars. The AAP recommends an iron-fortified formula for babies who are formula-fed, whether partially or exclusively. Ask your infant's pediatrician for guidance specific to your child.
• Skip the homemade or imported stuff: The FDA and AAP warn against homemade infant formula, which may not meet your baby's specific nutritional needs and carries a higher risk of contamination. Illegally imported formulas haven't been reviewed by the FDA, so it's best to stick to what's sold commercially in the U.S.
• Preparing and storing: Prepared formula should be used within 2 hours of mixing, or within 1 hour once your baby starts drinking from the bottle. If you won't use it right away, refrigerate it immediately and use it within 24 hours. Any formula left in the bottle after a feeding should be tossed — not saved for later.
• Feeding tips: Always hold the bottle for your baby rather than propping it, which can raise the risk of choking and ear infections. Watch for cues that your baby is full, and don't force them to finish the bottle.

If you have questions about switching formulas or how much your baby should be eating, your pediatrician is a great resource.