Frequently Asked Questions

• How often should I breastfeed my newborn?
• Can I supplement breast or bottle feeding with water?
• When should I start introducing solid foods?
• Why does my newborn sleep mostly during the day?
• What can I do to minimize sibling rivalry?

How often should I breastfeed my newborn?

Many babies will be slow, sleepy and somewhat disinterested in breast feeding in the first few days. Do not panic. Spend 10-15 minutes every 3 to 4 hours "practicing" your style of nursing and encouraging the baby, but be patient. You can encourage a sleepy feeder by undressing him/her, rubbing the soles of their feet, changing the diaper, or caressing the baby's face.

Can I supplement breast or bottle feeding with water?

Breast milk and infant formulas contain about 90% water. Your baby does not need any extra water, but some parents like to offer water for variety and for taste. If you do give your baby water, it is important to limit the total amount to 2 ounces of water per 24 hour period. This limit can be increased after age 4 months. Use boiled tap water (which contains enough fluoride in most areas) or bottled water with added fluoride. A small amount of weak chamomile tea (include this in the 2 ounce per day limit) is okay to try if your baby is very fussy. Do not add sugar or other sweeteners to water or tea.

When should I start introducing solid foods?

At the end of this book is a handy schedule describing when to begin offering your baby solid foods. Remember that your baby needs only breast milk or formula until age 4-5 months. When you introduce cereal, always feed your baby with a spoon. Do not mix the cereal in a bottle as this poses a choking hazard to your baby.

You can begin to give vegetables and fruits around 6-7 months. When you introduce a new food item, you should give one new food every 3-4 days. That way, if your baby has an allergic reaction to the new food, you will know exactly which food caused the reaction. After 9 months of age, you can start to give some dairy products like cheese or yogurt, but please refrain from giving cow's milk until after the first birthday. Avoid spicy and salty food for the first 2 years of life.

Why does my newborn sleep mostly during the day?

Most newborns will sleep more during the day and will be awake during the night. Don't worry - your baby will not be nocturnal forever. After several weeks, your baby should switch to a more normal schedule of sleeping longer at night and taking shorter naps during the day. You should always place your baby on his back to sleep; that is the safest position and minimizes the risk of crib death or SIDS. Other controllable risk factors for SIDS that you should avoid include exposure to cigarette smoke, co-sleeping or bed-sharing with parents, excessive blankets or pillows in the baby's crib, soft mattresses or waterbeds, and overheating of the baby's room.

What can I do to minimize sibling rivalry?

If you have other children over the age of 5 or 6 years, they may take great pride in their new role as "big brother" or "big sister." Encourage them to help with easy tasks, such as handing baby wipes to you and choosing the baby's outfit for the day. Allow them to hold the baby under supervision, so they can also begin to bond with your new baby.

Younger siblings, however, may not be so thrilled to see a new arrival take their place in the house as "the baby," i.e. "the center of attention." They may feel left out and may revert back to a less advanced developmental stage. Encourage friends and well-wishers who come to visit your new baby to bring a small gift for your older child as well. You may need to keep a small stash of gifts for your older child, and give one each time a guest brings a gift for the newborn. Try to spend some quality time with the older child alone, perhaps when the newborn is asleep.

Encourage visitors to pay some attention to the older child first, before they see your new baby. You may have your older child "present the baby" to your visitors.