Baby feeding schedule(tip for infant feeding)

According to the World Health Organization

 (WHO), every infant and child has the right to good nutrition according to the "Convention on the Rights of the Child". Undernutrition is associated with 45% of child deaths. Globally in 2020, 149 million children under 5 were estimated to be stunted (too short for age), 45 million were estimated to be wasted (too thin for height), and 38.9 million were overweight or obese. About 44% of infants 0–6 months old are exclusively breastfed. Few children receive nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods; in many countries less than a fourth of infants 6–23 months of age meet the criteria of dietary diversity and feeding frequency that are appropriate for their age .

Benefits of breastfeeding

Breastfeeding has health benefits for both babies and mothers. Breast milk provides a baby with ideal nutrition and supports growth and development. Breastfeeding can also help protect baby and mom against certain illnesses and diseases.

Here are details of feeding schedule suggested by most of Pediatricians 

Every baby may get hungry on their own unique schedule. That said, most infants in the first months of life will eat every 2-4 hours, depending if they are nursing or drinking formula. Once they eat solids, they’ll gradually drink less.

Here is measurements 

1. Up to 2 weeks of life : 0.5 oz. in the first days, then 1–3 oz. 

2 . 2 weeks to 2 months :2–4 oz

3. 2–4 months :4-6 oz. 

4. 4–6 months :4–8 oz.  don’t need to introduce solid foods yet. 

5. 6–12 months :8 oz. 

 Yes. Start with soft foods, like one-grain cereals and pureed vegetables and fruits, progressing to mashed and well-chopped finger foods. Give your baby one new food at a time. Continue supplementing with breast or formula feedings .

 Here are some parenting tips for creating a baby feeding schedule for the first year:

Feed on demand: Newborns should be fed on demand, which means whenever they show signs of hunger . As they grow older, they will eat less frequently and more predictably .

Establish a schedule: Once your baby is around 2-4 months old, you can start establishing a feeding schedule . This will help you plan your day and ensure that your baby is getting enough to eat .

Start solids: Around 4-6 months old, you can start introducing solid foods to your baby's diet . Start with one food at a time and wait a few days before introducing another food to check for allergies or intolerances .

-Feed frequently: In general, babies should be fed every 2-4 hours, depending on whether they are nursing or drinking formula . As they grow older and start eating solids, they will gradually drink less milk .

My opinion and infant feeding routine 

Most of pediatrician recommend food after 6 months only.

But i just want to share my experience plz don't take it as advice or recommendation.

I never think of schedule I offer my child 

Feed according to her demand .

For first 14 days I feed her after every two hours . After then on her demand.

Sometimes she use to drink every hour in small quantity , if she feeds for long time she gave gap between next feed .

One thing I make sure she will not be hungry.

Sign infant is hungry

1.I notice her cry. you can check for different cry sounds and their meaning Here :

[BabyCenter](https://www.babycenter.com/0_baby-crying-101_10348841.bc): BabyCenter provides a comprehensive guide to understanding baby cries, including the five major categories of baby cries and what they mean.

2. She stare at me.

3. She put her fist ✊ in her mouth while crying.

4. During her sleep she don't use to cry but suck her thumb very loudly.

Every child is different and there requirements are also different notice your kids activities it will help .

At present 

I'm mother of 5 months old baby i started giving her mashed banana with the help of nibbler around 15 days earlier because i want to make sure he will eat when i rejoin my job.

I just want to make her habitual of soft foods.

For the first week i only introduced her banana and on next week apple and banana puree alternate day. Only once a day.

I keep quantity very small initially ,started with half tablespoon.Keeping in mind that her digestive system is not ready for it.

But i think it's necessary because when I'm not with her she have to be with her care taker.

No doubt its difficult for me to leave her. She can't say anything but as a mother i knew she will also have difficulty in adopting this change 6 to 7 hours without mother will be really hard for her.

To ease this change i introduce soft food earlier at least her feeding not trouble her.

For first four months I only breastfeed her.And after that i started giving her bottle only one time a day with breast milk,and continue breastfeeding rest of the day.

I have decided that when i will go out for work i will store Brest milk for her.

I'm not saying formula milk is bad but my personal opinion is breast milk is best.

In western countries there is trend to bottle feed babies but my inner sense say that breast feeding makes a great bond between you and your baby.

The pleasure a mother can experience(infant care)during breast feeding is different from all worldly pleasures.

Just pick-up your infant in your arms offer her your breast try to make eye contact.

My baby use to take some sips and look into my eyes with big smile like she want to thank me for that and express her joy.

And above all during breastfeeding you give your baby freshest form of food.

Let me know how you feel about this article.

And share your experiences with us.

We always love to hear from you.