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This section provides essential information on feeding your child, covering milk, breastfeeding, bottle feeding, water, introducing food and common feeding problems.

Human milk is unique and perfectly adapted to children’s needs. It is the only milk that meets all of their nutritional and immunity requirements. Breast-feeding is more than a matter of ensuring baby is well nourished. It offers mother and child a moment of intimacy that provides baby with a feeling of warmth and security.

If delivery goes well, the baby is put on mom’s tummy right after birth. This “skin-to-skin” contact is a source of comfort and reassurance that helps your newborn adapt to life in the outside world. It also gives mom an opportunity to get to know her baby. This is an intense and moving moment for the whole new family.

Your baby will show you he is hungry in any number of ways. His breathing will change, his eyes will move beneath his eyelids, he will move his arms and legs, stretch, bring his hands to his mouth or face and make sucking motions. These are all signs that your baby is hungry. You will recognize them more easily if you keep your baby close to you.

Over the first few days, most babies can’t distinguish between hunger and their need to suck. They want to be fed every time they wake up. Some babies, especially those with jaundice, may remain drowsy until they regain their birth weight and sometimes may forget to wake up to feed. They need to be stimulated, even during the night, to make sure they drink enough.

Before you go back home, make sure you can tell if your baby is feeding well and getting all the milk he needs. Talk to your midwife or a nurse at the hospital if in doubt. When your baby is feeding enough, the appearance and quantity of his stools and urine will change.

Unfortunately we are unable to answer individual questions or make a health diagnosis.