Tips for Feeding a 1-Month-Old

Breastfeeding Basics

• Many mothers choose breastfeeding because it is the easiest and most natural method of feeding a baby -- no formula to mix and no bottles to warm. Babies get all the nutrients they need from the mother's breast milk. Breast milk also transfers immunities from the mother to the baby, which helps the baby fight off sickness until he is immunized. There are four basic holds for breastfeeding: cradle hold, cross-cradle hold, side-lying hold and clutch hold. These positions put the baby in the perfect alignment for nursing. Nursing babies usually feed on demand about every two to four hours.

Bottle Feeding

• Bottle feeding is an alternative for mothers who can't or may not want to breastfeed. Working mothers may feed their babies formula or breast milk that is expressed into a bottle and refrigerated. Breast pumps are the most efficient tool for expressing breast milk. Your pediatrician can advise you on the type of formula to give your baby if you choose to use it. Formula is made to mimic the nutrients found in breast milk. Breast milk or formula are the only food a baby needs for the first six moths of life.

Burping and Gas

• A baby needs to be burped to avoid gas pains from trapped air in her stomach. Burp the baby midway through the feeding, or about every 2 oz. A good position for burping is to have the baby sitting on your lap. Lean the baby forward with her chin resting on your hand and pat her back gently until you hear a burp. You can also put the baby on your shoulder and pat her until she burps. Either way, a baby should burp at the halfway mark and again when finished feeding. Gas pains cause the baby discomfort and may keep her from sleeping properly.

Feeding Problems

• Most problems with feeding babies disappear after the first few weeks or months of life. Many problems associated with breastfeeding are due to improper positioning during feeding and babies who have difficulty latching onto the breast. Many mothers give up breastfeeding due to nipple soreness from a baby not latching properly. Mothers may switch back and forth between breastfeeding and bottle feeding, but this can cause nipple confusion. Babies feed differently from the breast and bottle, so it is advised to wait to offer the bottle until breastfeeding is well established. When a baby feeds from a bottle, he does not open his mouth wide because the nipple area is small, and since the formula or milk flows out from the nipple, the baby does not have to work at getting the milk out. It may be difficult breastfeeding again once the baby gets used to the bottle.

Is Baby Eating Enough?

• A one- to four-month-old baby should be fed six to eight times per day. If your baby is wetting or soiling at last six diapers a day, she is eating enough for her development. Every baby is different, and some babies may eat more often than others. What really matters is that the baby is content after feedings and is steadily gaining weight.