Feeding the Newborn during the First Few Weeks

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Wether you breast-feed or boot le-feed, doctors usually recommend following a modified demand feeding schedule during the first few weeks. The baby usually takes 60 to 90 millilitres of milk at each feed. Then he sleeps and awakens in about three hours for the next feed. As the baby grows, his stomach capacity increases. At 8 to 12 weeks, he will take 150 to 180 millilitres at a time, and need only five or six feeds every 24 hours.

Babies sometimes bring up their feed usually just a few minutes after they have finished. This may be just a dribble of  several drops of milk. If it happens more than half an hour after the feeding, it will probably a cheesy material that smells sour because the stomach juices have already started to curdle the milk for digestion.  Do not be alarmed. This babies usually weigh enough for their age. The bringing up is often caused by an overflow from a full stomach.

In some cases, the baby brings up milk early during the feed. His stomach may be filled with air from crying or from poor feeding techniques. If this is the case, burp the baby before and several times during feeding. Once the baby is fed, hold him upright on your lap or over your shoulder (with a nappy or cloth o protect your clothing) and pat or rub his back until until he has burbed well. Or prop him up agaist a cushion for a quarter of an hour after the feed. Never feed a baby by propping a bottle in his cot. Not only do you both miss the mutual pleasure and the emotional and the psychological satisfaction of feeding, but you run the risk of his chocking on the milk.