Continue to check that your baby is feeding well at home.
Babies who are feeding well will usually:
- wake to feed often
- have 6 or more wet nappies a day
- poo regularly
- gain weight
Babies born prematurely or smaller than expected often appear hungry as they try to catch up in size.
They are hungry because they need extra nutrition to support a faster rate of growth. This can also happen during growth spurts.
Feed your baby according to their appetite and follow feeding recommendations.
Do
-
feed your baby when they show signs they're ready
-
offer your baby more feeds if they are hungry - there's no need to limit the amount they have
-
use paced bottle feeding (if they are bottle-fed)
Don't
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do not follow a strict schedule of feeds
-
do not force your baby to feed
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do not use a hungry baby formula - these only make your baby feel full and do not provide extra nutrients
-
do not use a soy-based formula for babies under 6 months - these can lead to lower weight gain
Monitoring your baby’s growth at home
Premature babies must have their weight, length and head circumference checked often. This will be at the hospital, with your public health nurse (PHN) or GP.
The measurements are entered on a growth chart using your baby's corrected age.
Your baby's corrected age is their actual age minus the number of weeks or months they were born early. For example, if your baby is 3 months old and they were born 1 month early, their corrected age is 2 months.
If your baby's doctor or PHN is concerned about your baby’s growth or nutrition, they may recommend a different feeding plan. They may also refer your baby to a dietitian.
Non-urgent advice: Contact your PHN or GP if:
- you have any concerns about your baby or their growth
Taking care of yourself
Try to get help with practical things like shopping, house work and child minding.
Eat healthy foods, get enough to drink and rest when you can.
Keep visitors to a minimum. Ask visitors with a cold, infection or cold sore to stay away until they are better.
You could also talk to other parents who are going through something similar. Ask your PHN for advice. But remember that every baby and family's experiences are unique.
