Responsive breast and bottle feeding

Transcript

Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land and pays respect to Elders, past present and future.

This video provides general advice about feeding babies. If you have any questions or concerns about feeding your baby, please contact your child health nurse or GP.

Always closely supervise your baby when eating

Babies at this age may not be able to talk but they are able to communicate how they are feeling and what they need through their cues and body language. In this video we will discuss how you can respond to your baby's cues in relation to breast or bottle feeding.

Responsive feeding can be defined as an approach to feeding in which the caregiver recognises and responds to their baby's cues, including if they are hungry or full. We know that babies who are fed in this way are more likely to feed effectively. It also reinforces their instinctive ability to regulate their own appetite.

Crying is the most obvious method of communication for a young baby, but a cry can mean many things. Your baby could be hungry, tired, bored, uncomfortable or want a cuddle.

Young babies may need to be calmed before attempting to feed. Young babies hunger cues will change over time and become clearer as they become more skilled at communicating with you.

As they develop, they will also become more aware of their surroundings and routines. They may let you know that they are anticipating the feed through making sounds or moving their body towards the nipple or teat. Wait until your baby opens wide and invites the teeth or nipple into their mouth. When they are feeding effectively, they will have strong sucking and jaw movements. You will be able to hear them swallow. At the beginning of a feed, babies will be focused on feeding. However, you will know that your baby is getting milk as their body will start to relax. Continue to observe your baby's behaviour throughout the breast or bottle feed. This will enable you to respond when your baby is telling you that they need a short break or that they are full.

It is normal for your baby to take short pauses in sucking. Try to let them resume sucking in their own time. If your baby is taking longer pauses or coming off the nipple or teat frequently, they might be wanting a short break from feeding. During this time you can try to burp them, change their position or interact with them. After their short break re-offer the breast or bottle they may decide to feed some more or they may indicate that they are full. By providing your baby with a second opportunity you can make sure you have understood your baby's needs.

If you have provided your baby with a break and a second opportunity and they are not interested then they are telling you that they are full. It is now time to finish the feed.

Many young breastfeeding babies will have one time often late in the afternoon or early evening when they want to feed frequently. This does not mean you don't have enough breast milk.

As your baby develops, they will become more efficient at breastfeeding and will feed less frequently. Your baby will not need to take as long as a newborn to feed. If your baby is showing cues that they are full, are having five to six wet nappies each day, and gaining weight, be reassured they are getting enough milk.

The flow of milk from a bottle can be too fast for your baby to have an opportunity to let you know that they need a break or that they are full. The flow of milk can also be too slow when bottle feeding. If too slow, your baby might get frustrated or tired before they have finished their feed. You can adjust how fast or slow the milk comes out of the teat by loosening or tightening the ring around the top of the bottle.

If you're concerned about whether your baby is getting enough milk or about their weight gain, talk to your local child health nurse or GP you can also call the 13 Health number if living in Queensland and asked to speak to a child health nurse.