Feeding

For most new mothers-to-be, baby feeding is a whole new experience. Thinking about this new responsibility can be both scary and threatening especially before the arrival of the baby. We may fear that infant feeding should follow a strict baby feeding schedule and if anything goes wrong, it will be our own fault and nobody else’s. Scary? You do not have to be bothered by this because your fear will instantly be replaced by excitement and overwhelming joy, believe me, I’ve been there. You may use some step by step guides to find out information on every stage- from birth to the age of 3.

It is the responsibility of the mother to assure herself and the baby of a safe breast feeding if she is planning to do so. A mother-be be once asked about this matter. She had a breast reduction 6 years ago and was told she could not breast feed. But she still strongly felt that she could produce some milk for her baby in the future. She wanted to make sure she was right. Consulting the surgeon who operated on her and the OB Gyne is the best reasonable way to answer your question. It is true that, after surgery, breast feeding a baby can be unsafe. Years later, the surgery may not give you any problems at all. On the other hand, if a mother has to undergo an operation, she can still feed her infant by using formula milk that is prescribed and recommended by the pediatrician. Breast feeding a baby strengthens the bond and this gives more excitement to the whole experience of feeding infants.

For feeding babies about 4 months old and over, a powdered formula is the cheapest. You have to mix the milk with sterilized water but beware of the brands that your babies will take. Consult a pediatrician first before feeding your baby. Also remember that sometimes our babies can be choosy! You may buy a very expensive brand that will be wasted in the end.

Finally, at this 4-6 month stage of your baby’s development, signs of readiness for solid foods are already observed and the feeding schedule will be a lot different from an infant feeding schedule. The signs to look for include the ability to hold his head up by himself, sits well in a highchair, beginning to make chewing motion, weight gain, closing mouth around a spoon and finally moving his tongue back and forth. Being a mother is definitely a blessing from God and a step by step guidelines on feeding a baby can be really exciting.