What's the best way feed a newborn?
Whats the best way to feed a newborn? I’m overwhelmed by people’s opinions!
Dear Feeding Frenzy,
It can be quite overwhelming to decide how to nourish your little one once they’re on the outside. Let’s break down options into a few basics for just a bit of guidance:
Infant Feeding
During pregnancy, babies make huge developmental strides. But that growth doesn’t stop after labor. In fact, infants tend to grow an average of one inch per month in length and gain about five to seven ounces of weight per week, often doubling their birth weight in their first five months! Consistent feeding is what fuels this transformative growth and helps them develop crucial systems like their gastrointestinal, respiratory, and cognitive pathways.
But infant feeding isn’t just for the baby. It’s super important for the birthing person and the family unit, too. Bodyfeeding, for example, creates a feedback loop that floods the birthing person with oxytocin and prolactin, hormones that calm, soothe, and decrease stress. It’s also been known to assist the uterus in healing and reduce the birthing person’s risk of getting anemia, urinary tract infections, or postpartum depression. And feeding via the body or the bottle is often a full-family activity where parents can learn their baby’s cues and bond as a unit.
There are two main types of nutrient sources that help babies grow strong:
Milk. In the first few postpartum days, the birthing person’s body creates a high-protein, low-sugar substance called colostrum that’s jam-packed with nutrients, antibodies, and vitamins. As wild as it might sound, the composition of human milk actually shifts to meet the nutrient needs of the baby, giving the infant exactly what they need to grow at every stage. Human milk is an unparalleled source of nutrition for a baby, helping support gastrointestinal and respiratory function, reduce risk of allergies, and promote psychomotor development. Community-based milk-sharing programs like Eats on Feets or hospital-run peer-to-peer milk banks can also provide families with nutrient-rich milk for babies. National organizations like the Human Milk Banking Association of North America also house databases for finding milk banks across the U.S.
Formula. Sometimes birthing folks want the benefits of human milk but don’t want or aren’t able to bodyfeed. Or, they might not have access to affordable milk banks in their area. In these cases, formula is an amazing option. Whether based in cow’s milk, soy, or protein hydrolysate, infant formulas are designed to mimic the nutrients and composition of human milk. These FDA-approved formulas come in powdered or liquid forms, and they often carry helpful pre- and probiotics that promote baby’s gut health.
When it comes to nourishing babies, there are so many options! Here are just a few:
Body. There’s no one right way to feed a baby directly from the body. People can bodyfeed in all sorts of positions, from sitting up to lying down—it’s all about what works best for you and the baby. And birthing folks aren’t the only ones who can bodyfeed a baby. With the right care, partners or support people can also provide nourishment for the newborn through bodyfeeding.
SNS. The supplemental nursing system involves a container of human milk or formula and a thin tube that can be placed along the chest, mirroring the bodyfeeding set-up. For people who experience low milk supply or difficulty with bodyfeeding, an SNS can be a great resource: Baby gets the nutrients they need, and families get all the bonding benefits of feeding—it’s a win-win!
Bottle. Bottle feeding is a super versatile way to nourish babies with milk or formula, as it gives families lots of flexibility and mobility. The paced bottle-feeding method, which mimics bodyfeeding by slowing the speed of feeding and activating key muscles in baby’s jaw, mouth, and neck, can help families learn their baby’s cues and reduce any stomach issues that can be caused by overwhelming their tiny tummy.
Spoon/cup/syringe. Feeding babies through a spoon, cup, or syringe is another option for ensuring they get the important nutrients of colostrum or hand- or pump-expressed milk, especially in their first few days of life.
No matter how you choose to feed, an expert support team can help you navigate challenges and tap into your own body knowledge. These folks can help:
Feeding Specialists
Certified lactation consultants (CLCs) provide personalized care; help you develop feeding schedules and plans that work for your family; support you through any feeding challenges like mastitis or low milk supply; and help you find the right positions for optimal feeding.
International board certified lactation consultants (IBCLCs) provide all the same care as CLCs, but to a greater clinical degree. IBCLCs have achieved the highest professional accreditation specializing in lactation, so they have the most extensive breadth and depth of knowledge and training in the field. They’re a healthcare provider that can monitor feeding in relation to a baby’s weight gain and development, and they can evaluate a baby’s anatomy as they grow.
Midwives and pediatricians can give you lactation and feeding advice, and they can also set you up with lactation consultants in their networks.
Peer Support
La Leche League International has tons of evidence-based resources on lactation and feeding, advocacy for birthing folks and families, and databases for finding local support.
WIC (also known as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) provides grants for supplemental feeding and nutrition information for low-income birthing folks and families navigating infant feeding.
Milk banks support peer-to-peer milk donation and often provide infant feeding education, community advocacy, and resources for finding local professionals.
If one thing’s for certain, it’s that infant feeding is a team activity. Midwives and lactation consultants can be a huge help in finding optimal positions and methods for feeding. And partners and support people can help anticipate the baby’s needs; establish and communicate clear expectations around feeding schedules and responsibilities between partners; help both the birthing person and the baby position themselves comfortably; prepare feeding equipment; clean; and provide affirmation and validation throughout the whole process.
When feeding, remember that you’re the expert of your own body. It’s an ongoing learning process, where you and baby need to take time to learn and adapt as you go, figuring out what works best as you work together. Your care team is there to help you tap into your own body knowledge, but ultimately you’re in charge!