On Becoming Baby Wise
Birth to two weeks Feeding o o
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o o
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Feed within 1 ½ hours of birth (when baby is most alert) Feed at least 10-20 minutes on each breast (can burp between each breast) Can feed 15-20 each side, burp before switching, or (esp. for sleepy babies), can try 10-10-5-5 (alternate offering each breast for 10 minutes, burping between each, and then offering each breast for 5 minutes each) **Feeding may last 30-40 minutes total** Feed a minimum of 8 times (up to 10) per 24 hours, avoiding “snacking” Keep awake during feeding time so that baby gets enough food: triggers hindmilk (rub feet, stroke face, change diaper, talk to baby, remove hat/clothes) If baby will not wake up sufficiently enough to take a full feeding, put baby back down but work on feeding baby again in 1-2 hours or when see signs of hunger Colostrum milk first three days, breast milk comes in 3-6 days
Sleep o o o
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Baby will sleep 16-20 hours per day Wake time may be up to 45 minutes including feeding time Late night feeding (anywhere between 8:30 p.m. to midnight): may drop below 2 ½ hour mark so that Mom and baby can go to bed earlier (see page 116) Early morning wake: wake: if wake before normal normal routine several several choices (see page 116) Baby may fuss 15-20 minutes when lie down for sleep, teaches selfsoothing May need to wake baby during the day to prevent baby from sleeping longer than 3 hour cycle
Diapers o
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Breast feeding (colostrum early on) triggers first bowel movement: meconium Meconium transitions to brownie matter Brownie matter transitions to mustard yellow stool by 4th or 5th day (healthy sign that breast milk has come in) Wet diapers within 24-48 hours
***Early on, do not look at clock, concentrate on watching for baby’s signs of hunger, hunger, and giving baby a FULL feeding feeding (no snacking): this will naturally transition into 2 1/2 – 3 hour cycles.***
On Becoming Baby Wise
Weeks Two to Eight (up to 2 months) Feeding o
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o o
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(Weeks 2-4) Feed every 2 ½-3 hours (between (between start of feeding feeding to start of next feeding)- 8-10 feedings in 24 hour period (Weeks 5-8) Feeding may be anywhere between between 2 ½ to 3 hours (any time increment is acceptable)- 7-8 feedings in 24 hour period: it is not necessary to force 8th feeding if baby is doing well with only 7 but be mindful of growth spurts: may require more feedings Feedings will last approximately 20-30 minutes (baby needs hindmilk) Establish consistent early morning feeding time (within ½ an hour every day) After late evening feeding (10:00-11:00 p.m.), put right to sleep, allow a llow to sleep until baby wakes on own, but only allow to sleep up to five hours and wake to feed Middle of night feedings: feed and put right back to sleep (Weeks 7-9) may drop middle of the night feeding (one night simply sleep until morning): morning): see “How to Drop Drop a Feeding” page 124 124
Waketime o
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After feeding, waketime (do not allow baby to nurse to sleep, avoid allowing to fall to sleep in swing or bouncer) Waketime activities activities include: include: feeding, singing, reading, bathing, walking, playing, mobiles, floor gym, swing, infant seat, playpen playpen Waketime may last only 45 minutes (including feeding time)
Sleep o
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May need to wake baby during the day to prevent baby from sleeping longer than 3 hour cycle Naps last at least 1 ½ hours, 6-8 naps per day If baby is not sleeping well, cut back on waketime by 15 minute increments (baby may be overstimulated during waketime)
o o
Baby may fuss 15-20 minutes when laid down for nap (weeks 7-8) “45 minute intruder”: wakes up 45 45 minutes into nap, try feeding baby first
Diapers o
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(weeks 2-4): 2-5 or more yellow stools daily, 6-8 wet diapers per day, urine clear (not yellow) (weeks 4+): may pass one large stool daily or as infrequently as 1 every 3-5 days
***See sample schedule schedule on pages 119-120: 119-120: Feeding time, time, waketime, and naptime*** **See page 114: schedule when starts starts sleeping through through the night**
On Becoming Baby Wise
Weeks Nine through Fifteen (2-3 months) Feeding o
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By end end of this this phas phase e most most Baby Baby Wise Wise moms moms tran transi siti tion on from from 7-8 7-8 feedings per 24 hours down to 5-7 feedings (never less than four) (wee (weeks ks 12 12-1 -15) 5) most most babi babies es go easi easily ly to a comb combin inat atio ion n 3-4 3-4 hour hour routin routine e and drop drop late late evening evening feedin feeding g (~10:00 (~10:00 p.m) “See “See How to Drop a Feeding” page 124-125 for information on stretching to 3-4 hours and dropping late evening feeding
Sleeping o
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(Two months) Baby begins to sleep 7-8 hours continuously at night (may cry 5-35 minutes in middle of night for 3-5 days) (Three months) A breast fed baby can gradually extend nighttime sleep to 9-10 hours per night, and a bottle fed baby can go 11 hours (be careful, letting breast fed baby sleep longer than 9-10 hours may cause decrease in milk supply Bedtime adjusted to early evening feeding May awaken 5:00 or 5:30 a.m. and talk to themselves and go back to sleep for an hour or so (may last 1 week-1month), if start to respond every time this will become baby and mom’s wake time! Naps last at least 1 ½ hours
On Becoming Baby Wise
Weeks Sixteen through Twenty-four (4-6 months) Feeding o
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Usually during this time period will introduce solid foods (pediatrician directed) Along with solid foods, continue 4-6 liquid feedings per day (drop late evening feeding) By 24th week, baby’s main mealtimes should begin to line up with rest of family’s: breakfast, lunch, dinner, with a 4th, 5th, or 6th liquid feeding offered (one liquid feeding feeding can come at bedtime bedtime and other additional additional feedings might come in late morning or late afternoon) As begin introducing solid foods, you are not adding more feeding periods, just additional additional food at breakfast, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. dinner. Offer breast or bottle then then some cereal. cereal. Do not offer cereal cereal alone and then liquid feeding two hours later: this would mean back to snacking (see On Becoming Baby Wise II: Parenting your Pretoddler)
Sleeping o
o o
Most babies are sleeping 10-12 hours per night (breast feeding moms need to monitor milk supply) 3 daytime naps lasting between 1 ½ - 2 hours Once Once 3rd nap nap drop droppe ped, d, wake waketi time me and othe otherr naps naps will will incr increa ease se in duration
Waking Up Happy 3 daytime naps lasting between 1 ½ - 2 hours o Once Once 3rd nap nap drop droppe ped, d, wake waketi time me and othe otherr naps naps will will incr increa ease se in o duration o At this time, baby will begin to develop a “wake-up disposition” o 3 rules for naps: 1. Mom, not baby decides when the nap starts 2. Mom, not baby decides when the nap ends 3. If baby wakes up crying crying or cranky, it’s most most often because baby has not had sufficient sleep, dirty diaper, noisy neighbor, sickness coming on, or arm or leg stuck between crib slats Active sleep to relaxed sleep state in 30-45 minutes, in next 30-45 o minutes relaxed sleep back to active a ctive sleep At end of active sleep period, baby may begin to stir and cry, but o baby baby will will like likely ly go back back to slee sleep p afte afterr ten ten minu minute tes s and and slee sleep p for for another 30-40 minutes When baby gets enough sleep, will wake up happy, making cooing o sounds ***See “how to drop a feeding” on pages 124-125***
On Becoming Baby Wise
Weeks Twenty-Five through Fifty Two (6 months to one year) Feeding o o
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Feeding times remain the same 6-12 months Each meal includes liquid feeding (breast or bottle) and should be supplemented by baby food with optional 4th or 5th liquid feeding in late late morn mornin ing g or mid mid after afterno noon on and and a requ requir ired ed liqu liquid id feed feedin ing g at bedtime Continue with four to five nursing periods per day (same general rule applies to formula-fed babies)
Sleeping o o o o
Around 6 months, baby will drop late-afternoon/early-evening nap Two nap times (one in morning, one in afternoon) Naps are usually 1 ½-2 hours long 10-12 hours of sleep per night
***See On Becoming Baby Wise II for more information about this period of development*** development***
