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The Importance of Feeding Routines
 I’ve looked
after many babies over the years and I can categorically say that
the best way to care for a new baby is to feed on a routine. I am
often called out to help mums who have spent several weeks feeding
on demand and are finding it impossible to cope with a grizzly baby
who snacks all day and never sleeps for any length of time. These
mums are at their wits’ end and utterly exhausted. It only
usually takes a few days for things to change – for the better.
A baby that feeds on demand learns to snack on and off. He will
never have the feeling of being full and ready for a proper feed.
Snacking becomes a habit and you prevent your baby from learning
to build up an appetite. Instead of snacking all day a routine-fed
baby builds an appetite for regular feeds and after eating his tummy
is full and he feels satisfied. He begins to nap better during the
day, sleep better at night and is less tired and cranky.
A feeding routine also brings you knowledge, helping you to understand
your baby better. I’ve noticed time and time again that mother
with routine-fed babies are always the most confident and calmest
mothers around.
Click here
for an example of a feeding routine which is suitable for most new
babies. Babies born at a healthy birthweight will adjust to it very
easily - whether breast or bottle fed. There are another six easy-to-follow
feeding routines set out in my book that are suitable for babies
from birth (including underweight babies) to six months.
Some feeding tips:-
- Feed twins
at the same time - day and night.
- Never distract
a baby with a toy when feeding - this will create problems later
on as your baby will associate feeding with playing.
- Change
the nappy 15 minutes before each feed - to wake a sleepy baby.
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