Newborn nutrition: in a nutshell

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• Advantages of breastfeeding
• Breastfeeding challenges
• Staying healthy while breastfeeding
• Bottle-feeding

Advantages of breastfeeding

Breastmilk is exactly suited to your baby’s nutritional needs. Breastfeeding is convenient and free. There’s no need to buy formula, sterilise equipment, mix powder, carry clean water or warm up bottles.

Breastfeeding is a unique chance for you to snuggle with your baby. This skin-to-skin contact can even help your newborn’s brain development.

Most women can breastfeed without much difficulty. Many (although not all) enjoy it or are grateful that it is so easy for them.

Although breastfeeding can feel strange or uncomfortable at first, it very soon starts to feel natural. When you do get the hang of it, you can feel an incredible sense of accomplishment. Some women even say it makes them feel sexy and confident.

For mothers who are not breastfeeding, there is information about bottle-feeding below.

Breastfeeding challenges

Breastfeeding doesn’t always come naturally. It is a skill that needs to be learned – by you and your baby! Even when you and your baby are getting it right, it can be uncomfortable, or even painful, in the beginning. After all, your nipples need to get used to the new sensation of your baby’s sucking.

Breastfeeding problems can include occasional sore nipples and mastitis. These problems can usually be sorted out. It’s a good idea to speak to your doctor or baby health nurse promptly. They can advise you how to relieve the symptoms.

Reflux, where your newborn spits up a large volume of milk every feed, is not uncommon in the first six months. It should cause concern only if your baby is not gaining enough weight. Visit your local baby health centre to check baby’s weight. If you live in a rural area, weigh your baby once a week and call your local doctor or nurse for advice. 

For several reasons, babies are sometimes given supplementary feeds in addition to breastmilk.

Staying healthy while breastfeeding

Your body is busy producing high-quality breastmilk for your baby. You might notice that you often feel sleepy when breastfeeding (almost like when you were pregnant) and need to eat well. Most breastfeeding mothers notice their own body fat disappearing as it is used up in the process.

Remember, what you put into your body can get passed through your breastmilk to your baby.

• If you're thirsty, drink plenty of tap water to avoid dehydration. (Tap water is fortified with fluoride and helps your newborn start building extra protective enamel in his developing teeth.) Try to avoid mineral water, which can be high in salt.
• Enjoy eating a wide variety of healthy foods including fresh fruit and vegetables, lean meat, chicken, fish, milk, yoghurt and grains.
• Alcohol and nicotine pass freely into your breastmilk, so it’s best to avoid drinking and smoking. If you plan to have a drink, schedule it two hours (per drink) before breastfeeding again. If you must smoke, protect your baby by always smoking outside. Don’t smoke for an hour before feeding.
• Go easy on drinks with caffeine such as coffee, regular tea and cola. These can cause irritability in newborns. You could try alternatives such as non-caffeinated teas. 
• Some drugs can cause serious illness in babies. If you need to take drugs or medication, check with your doctor about what is safe before breastfeeding.

See our articles on looking after yourself as a new parent.

Bottle-feeding

If you cannot breastfeed, it’s comforting to know that today’s milk formulas provide the basic building blocks of growth. Infant formulas are the only safe alternative to breastmilk.

Hold, cuddle and talk to your newborn while bottle-feeding. This will help your baby develop and grow. Even though your baby might not seem responsive at first, babies’ brains are developing at lightning speed. They depend on early contact with their parents to develop to their full potential. 

It’s important to stay with your newborn during bottle-feeding. Don’t prop up a bottle with your baby. This can cause choking.

Preparing formula

• Always prepare formula according to the instructions. Use the correct number of scoops of powder to avoid dehydration or constipation.
• Don’t add anything to the formula. Adding baby cereal or starch to thicken formula does not help with gas or sleeping. It can interfere with feeding.
• Some experts believe that formula containing LCP (long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids) can help provide some of the brain-building nutrients found in breastmilk. If formula has LCP, it will say so on the packaging.

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  Newsletter snippet: Newborn nutrition: in a nutshell
  

   

  By Raising Children Network

  Breastmilk is the ideal food for your newborn baby. She won’t need any other food or drink until she’s six months old.
  
  Breastfeeding is perfect because:
  •    Breastmilk is exactly suited to your baby’s nutritional needs.
  •    It’s convenient and free.
  •    The skin-to-skin contact can even help your baby’s brain development.
  
  Breastfeeding doesn’t always come naturally – it is a skill which often needs to be learned, by both of you!
  
  Initial discomfort is common but very soon breastfeeding starts to feel natural. When you do get the hang of it, you can feel an incredible sense of accomplishment
  
  Remember to eat healthily as what you put into your body can get passed through your breastmilk to your baby.
  
  Bottle-feeding
  Infant formula is the only safe alternative when breastmilk is not an option.
  •    Follow the instructions.
  •    Never add anything to the formula.
  •    Stay with your baby while feeding to prevent choking.

  This article is an extract only. For more information visit raisingchildren.net.au/nutrition/newborns_nutrition.html

  Sourced from the Raising Children Network's comprehensive and quality-assured Australian parenting website www.raisingchildren.net.au.