It is necessary to feed the child at night, especially if he is still very small. If the baby is asleep, you should not specifically wake him up. It is imperative to do everything calmly, neatly, and gently.
Instructions
Step 1
Do you need night feedings? Some believe that if the baby wakes up, then you need to feed him. Others are convinced that this habit needs to be eliminated. In fact, the physiological need for nighttime snacks in a child lasts up to 6 months. After reaching this age, the baby may well sleep from evening to morning, provided that the feeding regime is properly organized and the baby's well-being. So up to six months you will have to get up at night and offer the baby milk, but after six months you need to try to gradually wean the crumbs from night feedings. Reduce their frequency first, then try to calm your baby down without food. But at first, feeding your baby at night is a must! In the period from 3 am to 6 am, when exposed to the nipples, the hormone prolactin is produced, which is responsible for lactation. If it is not enough, the amount of breast milk may decrease.
Step 2
The second important point is the frequency of feedings. While some mothers have to feed their baby 4-6 times at night, others do it only once or twice. The needs of different babies may differ, so it is impossible to determine the exact amount of feedings. But the younger the child, the more often he will wake up. Breastfed babies tend to wake up more often. First, they may not eat as much at a time as is required for saturation. Secondly, the baby may simply have a need to feel her mother's warmth through her breasts.
Step 3
If the baby is awake, gently take him in your arms and offer him the breast. If the baby is hungry, then he will open his mouth and will certainly find the nipple even with his eyes closed in the dark. Sit comfortably and hold your baby so that his head is on your hand and his body is slightly turned towards you. Make sure that the head and body are at the same level, and your chest does not interfere with the breathing of the baby. When the baby is full, take it upright, resting it on your shoulder. When the baby regurgitates the air trapped in the stomach during feeding, it will be possible to put him back in the crib. Do everything gently and carefully. If you are feeding a baby with formula, then do everything in about the same way, but offer a bottle instead of breast. For your convenience, prepare the water in advance and pour the required amount of the mixture into the bottle. As soon as you hear that the baby is tossing and turning and grunting, warm up the water and dilute the mixture.
Step 4
You should not feed the baby at night if he is fast asleep. This means that he is not hungry. But if the baby was born prematurely or weakened due to illness, then he just needs good nutrition. Do not disturb your baby or make sudden movements. Take it in your arms and move the nipple from the bottle or your nipple near your mouth or cheek. A reflex should work, and the baby will open his mouth. Start feeding. If such manipulations are ineffective, try tickling or pinching the baby slightly. But don't scream, don't shake the child!
