Your One to Six Month Old
Some babies become very interested in what is happening
around them at 2-3 months. They will stop nursing to look and then want to nurse again
very soon. Feed the baby in a quiet room for a few days or use a teddy bear, doll or
blanket to block the baby's view. Then your baby will get used to nursing long enough to
get full.
Feeding Your Baby
Most young babies need to eat about every three hours during the day and about every four hours at night. Babies also begin to nurse faster, so feedings may not take as long. As your baby grows, the time between feedings gets longer. The baby is usually able to sleep a little longer at night.
Babies need to suck. A baby who sucks on a thumb or pacifier between feedings and is having six wet diapers and regular bowel movements is probably not hungry. Many babies just like to suck. Do not worry if your baby seems to want to suck between feedings.
Night Feedings
During the night, most babies wake up less often than they do during the day. When your baby stirs and makes sounds, it might be time for a feeding. You can wait a few minutes to see if the baby goes back to sleep. If the baby stirs a lot or your breasts feel full and heavy, then it probably is time to feed.
As babies get older, they usually will go for longer times between feedings. Your body gets used to the longer times between feedings.
Starting Solid Foods
Between 4 and 6 months, your baby will show
signs that he is ready for cereal. One sign is that your baby will be able to hold his
head steady and sit with support. Another sign is up and down tongue movements which allow
the baby to take cereal from a spoon and swallow easily. A baby who "spits" the
cereal out when spoon-fed may not be ready for solid foods.
Breastfeed your baby before offering solid food. Your milk should still be your baby's main food.
Weight Gain
Your baby is probably getting enough if he is nursing well, is content after feeding, and is gaining weight. Most babies gain 7 ounces every week until they double their birth weight. If your baby gains faster that is okay. If your baby is gaining more slowly, read the section in this book on slow weight gain.
Growth Spurts
Babies need more milk as they grow. Your baby will want to nurse about twice as often as usual during a growth spurt. Growth spurts usually come when the baby is about 7 - 10 days, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months (or a little earlier). A baby who has been feeding about every three hours will want to eat every hour and a half. Even though your breasts do not feel full, let the baby nurse. You will know milk is there when you hear the baby swallow. After a day or two of feeding your baby very often, you will be making more milk at each feeding. Your baby will then go back to nursing less often.
Special Tips
- Few babies get hungry by the clock. Sometimes, your baby may be hungry soon after a feeding. When nothing else comforts the baby, nurse again.
- Babies like to be held and to be with people even when they are not eating. They like to see, hear and learn from the world around them. Some mothers like to use front packs or baby slings to carry their babies close and still have a free hand. Your baby may also enjoy being in a swing sometimes.
- Your baby needs breast milk to grow well. Babies who drink water and eat other things when they are small may get too full and not want as much milk.
- Babies do not need anything but breast milk for the first 4-6 months. Babies do not sleep better or grow faster if they have cereal or juice when they are small.