Is my baby getting enough to eat?

Whether breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or both, nearly every mom has wondered if her baby is  getting enough milk. This question can cause tremendous anxiety in new parents. At nfant®, we want to reduce this anxiety by designing technology that gives you more information about how your baby is feeding. While using our nfant Thrive devices provides feeding data, it is important to use the other functions of the nfant Tracker App like growth metrics and recording diapers. 

Understanding the significance of adequate weight gain during infancy is vital for fostering healthy growth and development, particularly during the crucial first year of life when a baby’s brain is rapidly evolving.

It’s crucial to differentiate between a ‘natural slow gainer’ and a ‘slow weight-gain’ problem. Let’s delve into the characteristics of the ‘natural slow gainer’:

• A ‘natural slow gainer’ exhibits a steady albeit slow weight gain, staying consistently on their unique growth curve.
• They instinctively wake up and display a desire to feed approximately 8 to 12 times within a 24-hour span.
• Their number of wet and dirty diapers is comparable to that of other babies.

However, if concerns arise about ‘slow weight gain,’ it is advisable to promptly contact your healthcare provider. Warning signs of ‘slow weight gain’ include:

• A noticeable drop in the rate of growth, whether it’s in terms of weight, length, or head circumference, as compared to their previous growth trajectory.
• Failure to regain their birth weight within 2-3 weeks after birth.
• Not gaining at least a pound per month during the initial 4 months of life.

While emphasizing volume intake is important to ensure your baby gets the necessary nutrients within a specific timeframe, it is equally critical to pay attention to the cues and signals your baby communicates during feedings. Recognizing and responding to these cues is essential, as it enables us to strike a delicate balance between the quantity and quality of feedings, taking into account the individual needs of each baby at various stages of their development. For more guidance on understanding feeding cues, you can explore our [link to feeding cues education].

What occurs when we solely focus on volume without considering the baby’s feeding experience?

• We run the risk of the baby having an unpleasant feeding experience, which could lead to a reluctance to engage in future feeding sessions.
• Such an approach may disrupt the infant’s ability to establish a sense of safety and efficiency during feedings.
• It may inadvertently result in aversive feeding events, such as coughing and choking.

In conclusion, nurturing your baby’s healthy growth and development involves a delicate interplay between monitoring weight gain, recognizing cues, and ensuring a positive feeding experience. By adopting a holistic approach that combines quantity with quality, we can provide the best possible care for our little ones.

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