Infant feeding
How normal is it?
(This tool is for people who work with babies younger than 6 months or who care for children.)
Every baby is different. One thing we do know is that feeding a baby does more than just give the child food. The reason for this is that feeding can also help adults and kids get to know each other and build a bond in several important ways. A baby also feels a lot of comfort from the close physical touch that comes with being fed.
But kids do eat a lot, and it may not seem like they do much else! With this in mind, feeding them can get tense at times, whether it's with a parent, babysitter, or childcare worker.
On top of that, some parents may have trouble with feeding because of complicated feelings and problems, and they may need mental support with these feelings.
As part of their job, childcare workers will be feeding babies younger than 6 months. This page also has advice for people who may be able to help parents or caregivers who are having trouble with eating.
Giving food to a baby in your care
While feeding a baby that you are caring for, it helps to pay attention to their body language and reactions. This way, you can tell when they might be hungry and feed them when they "tell you" to. This is not like how bigger kids have set times for meals and snacks. The best way to feed your babies before they start to wean them is to feed them when they are ready. This is called "feeding responsively." Feeding your baby this way can help you bond with them better. The baby will feel like you know what they are thinking and feeling, or that you are "holding them in mind," and that you are there to help them.
How do you know if a kid is hungry?
Babies show they are hungry by putting their hands in their mouths, turning their heads toward their chests, opening their mouths, sucking or making "numm numm" noises, sticking out their tongues, and trying to get into a feeding position.
How about a cry?
One way babies can show how they feel is by crying, since they don't have many other ways. Their cries can mean different things at different times. Sometimes they're telling us they need food, but other times they might just want a hug or to know you are close by.
What to do if you think a baby you're watching is hungry
The first thing you should do when you think the baby you are watching is hungry is to think about where you will feed them. This might seem like a lot to ask in a busy childcare center, but it can be very helpful to find a comfy spot where you can hold the baby close and where the two of you can have some alone time to focus on each other.
5. Looking at the baby's cues while feeding
You may notice that your bond with the baby you are caring for changes in certain ways during eating time. For example, nursing can be a chance for "sensory" connection, which means connecting with your baby's senses. There are different ways for them to connect with you. For example, some kids might enjoy making eye contact with you, while others might prefer to touch you and play with your fingers.
Also, now is a great time to get to know each other better. You may start to notice and recognize the different ways the baby you are feeding communicates or lets you know what it needs while you are feeding it.
But signs can be hard to understand sometimes. Like, the baby might look away for a moment after a while. You can take this to mean that they are happy. But that doesn't always mean they're done and don't want to feed anymore. They might just be taking a break and want to return to the bottle in a few seconds or minutes. They might be using going away and then coming back to the bottle as a way to deal with their feelings, no matter what those feelings are at the time. Before going back to the bottle, it's best to let the baby decide when they want to stop drinking and take a break.
Some babies breathe in while they eat. For them, this can make their stomachs hurt. Take a break if they start to look uncomfortable. Then, sit them up and gently tap their back to help them get the stored air or wind out.
Keep in mind that babies can accidentally get too much from bottles, so if you see that the baby you are giving is showing signs that they don't want any more, don't push them to finish the bottle.
5.Parents and caregivers who are having trouble feeding their child
When someone feeds a baby, it can make them feel a lot of strong feelings. Babies rely so much on their parents and caregivers, and for some, that can be too much responsibility to handle. When it comes to breastfeeding, some moms would rather not do it, while others would love to be able to but can't for some reason. Others may be determined to keep nursing even though it hurts or is hard for them.
For this reason, breastfeeding a baby can make some moms and dads feel guilty, bad, inadequate, and judged. You should pay attention to how parents are feeling and why they might be feeling that way. You should also listen without judging them. Giving help in this way is a good idea.
Also, pay attention to how you feel. For some reason, problems related to feeding your baby may make you feel very strongly. Some parents may be impatient when they talk about the problems they are having nursing because you found it pretty easy yourself. On the other hand, you may have had trouble breastfeeding or decided not to do so, and the parent you are working with may seem judgmental about those choices. If these kinds of things keep happening to you, try telling coworkers, friends, or family how you feel.
Do you think a mother, parent, or carer is having a hard time? If so, you could suggest that they talk to a health worker, GP, or other professional in the field to better understand how they feel. Peer support workers who help parents with breastfeeding are available in many places across the country. Getting help from another parent can often feel safe.
5. Advice to give parents
Here are some tips for babies who are being fed by breast or bottle:
Learn what your baby is trying to tell you through their sounds and movements. Are they full? Are you bored? Need to be hugged? Babies show they are hungry by putting their hands in their mouths, turning their heads toward their chests, opening their mouths, making sucking sounds, sticking out their tongues, and trying to get into an eating position.
Locate a cozy spot where you and your child can spend some alone time and focus on each other.
Babies love it when you hold them close while they eat. Some of them also like to look you in the eye. Don't worry if they fall asleep too soon, though.
Whether you breastfeed or use a bottle, you can still have a loving, close bond with your baby. It's important to be close to your baby and know what they need at all times. Give them lots of hugs, kisses, and eye contact.
Babies who are being fed breast milk can drink as much as they want. But if you're bottle-feeding, you might give the baby too much milk by chance, so don't push them to finish if they don't want to. Take your baby's mind off of being hungry and find other ways to calm them down instead.
Your child may look away for a short time while being fed. Their behavior doesn't always mean they're full and don't want to eat or drink anymore; they might want to return to the breast or bottle after a short time. They just use turning away and coming back to the breast or bottle to deal with how they feel. Let them decide how fast to go.
Giving birth can be very painful at times. You shouldn't feel like you have to keep going. Instead, you should get help from a health worker right away. This problem could be caused by a number of things, some of which are very easy to fix.
Babies tend to focus on their mother and feed very hard during the first few weeks. They may become more interested in what's going on around them as they age. They are interested in the world around them, which is normal and a sign of good growth. But it might take longer to feed!
Sometimes feeding a baby can make you feel bad. You may have wanted to breastfeed but are having trouble. Some people feel judged when they bottle-feed their babies, and others feel judged when they feed their babies. Talk to someone about how you feel if you're having a hard time. This could be a friend or family member, your doctor, or a health worker.