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:-