Infant feeding
Infant feeding refers to the methods and practices used to feed a newborn baby, typically through breastfeeding, formula feeding, or a combination of both. The choice of feeding method can have significant implications for the baby's health, growth, and development.
Breastfeeding[edit | edit source]
Breastfeeding is the process of feeding a baby with milk directly from the mother's breast. It is recommended by many health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), as the optimal way to feed infants for the first six months of life. Breast milk contains all the nutrients a baby needs for healthy growth and development, as well as antibodies that help protect the baby from common childhood illnesses.
Formula feeding[edit | edit source]
Formula feeding involves feeding a baby with a commercially prepared infant formula, which is designed to mimic the nutritional composition of breast milk. Formula feeding can be used as a supplement to breastfeeding, or as the sole source of nutrition for babies who cannot be breastfed for medical or personal reasons.
Mixed feeding[edit | edit source]
Mixed feeding refers to the practice of feeding a baby with both breast milk and infant formula. This can be a useful strategy for mothers who are unable to produce enough breast milk, or who need to return to work or other commitments that make exclusive breastfeeding difficult.
Feeding on demand[edit | edit source]
Feeding on demand, also known as responsive feeding, is a feeding strategy where the baby is fed whenever they show signs of hunger, rather than on a strict schedule. This approach is recommended by many health organizations, as it allows the baby to regulate their own intake and promotes healthy growth and development.
Feeding difficulties[edit | edit source]
Some babies may experience feeding difficulties, such as problems with latching on to the breast, reflux, or allergies to certain components of breast milk or formula. These issues can often be managed with the help of a healthcare professional, such as a lactation consultant or pediatrician.
See also[edit | edit source]
| Infant feeding Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
