We do encourage you to try to breast feed your baby, but the choice of whether to breast or bottle-feed is a personal one.   We will support you with whatever decision you make. Nursing babies should begin feeding shortly after birth, and continue on demand every 2 to 3 hours.  Your milk will come in on day 2-3, and your baby will be more easily satisfied after that time.  If you are having any difficulty feeding your baby we encourage you to make a prompt appointment with your child’s doctor. Our physicians and nursing staff are knowledgeable about breast feeding issues and are eager to help.

Bottle-fed babies are usually started on a dairy based infant formula, and will feed every 3 hours on demand. Hold your baby at an angle while feeding, and burp frequently.  The volume of formula needed will increase from ½ to 1 ounce per feeding at birth, to 3-4 ounces at one month of age.  Never warm in the microwave as this may heat the milk unevenly, resulting in oral burns.  Like any milk, formula will spoil if left out of the refrigerator for too long.  If your baby doesn’t finish a bottle, throw away the remaining portion.

Newborn stools vary in color and frequency among breastfed infants.  Some will have a loose stool with each feeding and others will go several days without a stool.  Formula fed infants usually have a stool every day or every second day.