After the birth of the baby, the question arises before the mother - how to feed the baby? What to choose? Feeding on schedule or on demand?
Today in maternity hospitals it is more and more recommended to feed on demand. No one will argue that the first week such feeding will be the most optimal. And then what?
Then it is imperative to switch to feeding according to the regime (by the hour). For the first 3-3.5 months, it is recommended to feed the baby every 3 hours. For example, at 6-00, 9-00, 12-00, etc. After a couple of weeks of this regime, you will notice that the baby has become calmer. After a month, the child will begin to wake up at the right time on his own. And all because his body will already get used to the regime and will not demand food every half hour.
When the baby grows up a little, after about 3 months, you can increase the interval between feedings to 3.5 hours. However, you yourself will notice that the baby began to eat less. So it's time to take a half hour break. The feeding table will look like this - 6-00, 9-30, 13-00, etc.
By six months, when the first complementary foods are introduced, the interval between feedings increases to 4 hours. And this is the final stage. Now the child eats at 6-00, 10-00, 14-00, etc. And during breaks, you can give your baby juice, mashed potatoes or cottage cheese.
Why is Regimen Feeding good?
For a child
The kid will become calmer. Will not scream every 20-30 minutes, demanding to eat. Now he will get used to eating well at a certain time, and not a little bit every half hour. Sleep will improve. The child will sleep more peacefully because he will be full. And now he doesn't care about anything else.
For Mom
Mom will have private time. While the baby is asleep, you can safely go to the shower, store or hairdresser, do the cleaning or cooking, take time for your husband. Or you can just sleep, knowing that the next 3 hours the child will not require your attention. A satisfied baby will sleep sweetly in his crib. There will be no problem with walking. Having fed the baby, you can safely go to the park. After all, you have as much as 3 hours to walk!
One friend of mine was simply afraid to go out for a walk with her newborn daughter. And all because the child was not accustomed to feeding according to the regimen. The girl screamed every 15-20 minutes. Poor mother didn't know what to do. Their walks always ended in the same way - after 20 minutes, mommy runs home with a screaming child to eat.
The most difficult thing is not to give a weak point from the very beginning. If you decide to accustom your child to feeding according to the regimen, teach it. Don't expect results from day one. When the baby wakes up and cries, take it in your arms, shake it, it will fall asleep. When it's time to feed, take it in your arms and attach it to your breast. After 3-4 days, the baby will get used to the regime. And you will notice how much easier it became for you.
Hourly feeding has the most important plus - you will not have problems with milk (when breastfeeding). Milk will arrive in equal portions at the right time. This means that your baby will always be happy and full. And this is the most important thing now!
