key assessment
QueenQuanna
Scheduleorondemandarticle2.docx
Schedule or on demand? (Feeding schedules for babies)
Chatelaine
, English edition
68.5
(May 1995): 36.
1. Full text
Turn on hit highlighting for speaking browsers by selecting the Enter button
Abstract
Translate [unavailable for this document]
Like many first-time mothers, I buried myself in baby books. I knew yesterday's rigid feeding schedules were passe. Happy babies feed on demand, said experts such as Penelope Leach.
That's true in the first few months, when a newborn's small stomach cannot hold much milk or formula (nursing infants need to feed every couple of hours). But by around three or four months, round-the-clock feedings are hard on parents, especially if they have other children, and may not be in the baby's best interests. Ruth McCamus, a nurse at The Hospital for Sick Children's Centre for Health Information and Promotion in Toronto, is a great believer in routine. "It helps to plant the idea in the baby's mind that there is a regularity to the way things happen."
Like many first-time mothers, I buried myself in baby books. I knew yesterday's rigid feeding schedules were passe. Happy babies feed on demand, said experts such as Penelope Leach.
That's true in the first few months, when a newborn's small stomach cannot hold much milk or formula (nursing infants need to feed every couple of hours). But by around three or four months, round-the-clock feedings are hard on parents, especially if they have other children, and may not be in the baby's best interests. Ruth McCamus, a nurse at The Hospital for Sick Children's Centre for Health Information and Promotion in Toronto, is a great believer in routine. "It helps to plant the idea in the baby's mind that there is a regularity to the way things happen."
You have requested "on-the-fly" machine translation of selected content from our databases. This functionality is provided solely for your convenience and is in no way intended to replace human translation. Show full disclaimer
Neither ProQuest nor its licensors make any representations or warranties with respect to the translations. The translations are automatically generated "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" and are not retained in our systems. PROQUEST AND ITS LICENSORS SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY WARRANTIES FOR AVAILABILITY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, COMPLETENESS, NON-INFRINGMENT, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Your use of the translations is subject to all use restrictions contained in your Electronic Products License Agreement and by using the translation functionality you agree to forgo any and all claims against ProQuest or its licensors for your use of the translation functionality and any output derived there from.
Hide full disclaimer Translations powered by LEC.
Translations powered by LEC.
Full Text
Translate [unavailable for this document]
When my daughter was born nearly two years ago, I was prepared for the worst--feedings every two hours, months of sleepless nights. But I was lucky. From birth, Lucy knew night from day and--with the exception of a brief burst of nursing enthusiasm in the evenings--fed only every three or four hours.
Like many first-time mothers, I buried myself in baby books. I knew yesterday's rigid feeding schedules were passe. Happy babies feed on demand, said experts such as Penelope Leach.
That's true in the first few months, when a newborn's small stomach cannot hold much milk or formula (nursing infants need to feed every couple of hours). But by around three or four months, round-the-clock feedings are hard on parents, especially if they have other children, and may not be in the baby's best interests. Ruth McCamus, a nurse at The Hospital for Sick Children's Centre for Health Information and Promotion in Toronto, is a great believer in routine. "It helps to plant the idea in the baby's mind that there is a regularity to the way things happen."
Routine tends to become an issue when a mother is returning to work. Day-care workers in particular often cannot cope easily with an infant who expects to feed when the spirit moves him.
If your baby has not already established a pattern by age four months--that is, you know roughly what to expect from one day to the next--then you're wise to start encouraging one, McCamus says. But regular doesn't necessarily mean rigid: the goal is a flexible routine that works for both of you.
Feeding without fuss
If your baby feeds well and then cries two hours later, try to postpone the breast or bottle for a while by playing with her or having a cuddle. If she's a snacker who doesn't feed long enough to fill up, take a break for 15 or 20 minutes. Then, offer more milk or formula.
If your baby has day/night confusion, wake him up during the day for regular feedings and playtimes every two to three hours. Keep late-night mealtimes quiet and dimly lit so as not to wake him completely. Eventually, he'll get the message.
Don't wake a sleeping baby in the middle of the night for a feeding unless there is a medical reason to do so, such as insufficient weight gain.
Don't be afraid to give a feeding a little earlier than usual if your baby is clearly hungry. Similarly, if she's content upon waking, immediate feeding may not be necessary.
Trust your instincts. Too much reliance on parenting books can cause confusion.
Word count: 435
You have requested "on-the-fly" machine translation of selected content from our databases. This functionality is provided solely for your convenience and is in no way intended to replace human translation. Show full disclaimer
Neither ProQuest nor its licensors make any representations or warranties with respect to the translations. The translations are automatically generated "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" and are not retained in our systems. PROQUEST AND ITS LICENSORS SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY WARRANTIES FOR AVAILABILITY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, COMPLETENESS, NON-INFRINGMENT, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Your use of the translations is subject to all use restrictions contained in your Electronic Products License Agreement and by using the translation functionality you agree to forgo any and all claims against ProQuest or its licensors for your use of the translation functionality and any output derived there from.
Hide full disclaimer Translations powered by LEC.
Translations powered by LEC.
Copyright Rogers Publishing Limited May 1995
