12 Tips for When Dad Feeds a Newborn

From the very beginning, allow your partner to be a part of the feeding process. As you establish your milk, show dad how he can support you and also learn about the feedings.

1. Start with having him support
As you endure the endless cluster feedings, let him know what he can do to help. Have him bring over water, burp cloths, and pillows to help you find a comfortable feeding position.

2. Show him the cues
The subtle cues of hunger are mouthing, sucking on fingers, and nestling toward your chest, while the more obvious sign of hunger is crying. A baby’s cry can generally imply one of three things — hunger, dirty diaper, and sleepiness. If the latter two have been addressed, then let dad know to grab a bottle.

3. Provide your partner with a schedule
If dad is unfamiliar with the feeding schedule, make it easy for him to know when to do it — write it out on the refrigerator, program Alexa to announce feeding times, or use a nursing app.

4. Give him the night shift
Since your naps are nonexistent during the daytime, let your spouse in on the night shift. Either he bottle feeds while you pump, or he’s up waiting to burp the baby while you nurse. No matter the scenario, get him involved so you can add more sleep to your schedule.

Ensuring that your baby is eating the right amount is never-ending. But there are signs and guidelines that your partner can pay attention to in order to know your baby’s belly is full.

5. Tell him about the physical signs of hunger
Mom Cathlene Yapyuco watched for practical signs. “As long as my baby was gaining weight, producing a good amount of dirty diapers, and sleeping well, we thought she was getting enough [to eat],” she previously shared with Mom.com.

6. Share the numbers with him
Aside from physical signs, there numerical amounts to note. “Newborns eat about 1 to 2 ounces every two to three hours,” pediatrician and spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics Dr. Steph Lee previously told Mom.com.

To know more about every stage, these are the numbers for the feeding amounts:

• At two months, 4-5 ounces at each feed
• At four months, 4-6 ounces at each feed
• At six months, 6-8 ounces at each feed

7. Give a quick lesson on making formula
There’s actually a science to preparing formula — the correct ratios are vital in ensuring that baby gets all the correct nutrients. “If you mix formula incorrectly — if you water it down or make it too concentrated — it disturbs the electrolyte balance, which may lead to serious neurological consequences,” Lana Gangin, M.D., told the Spectrum Health website. Mom.com’s “Baby Formula 101” is a great resource for the novice formula-feeder.

Help your partner get comfortable. Here is how he can make bottle feeding a success.

8. Have him find the right bottle
Buy several types of bottles with different nipple shapes so that your spouse can find the right fit for your baby. Choose slow flow nipples to replicate your baby’s nursing experience.

9. Remind him to warm the milk
Have him use the bottle warmer before he gives a bottle to your baby, and tell him to test the milk’s temperature on his wrist.

10. The position is everything. Let him know about the right one
While bottle feeding, he’ll need to hold his swaddled baby in the cradle position with the baby’s body at a 45-degree angle. Let him know that the swaddle comforts your baby and prevents sporadic arm and leg movement that disrupts the feeding time.

11. Tell him about burping
Once your little one has had their fill, then let your spouse know about the burping technique that works for your baby. Bottle feeding allows for more air intake than your little one will be used to. It is important to make sure that your baby does not become gassy as a result of the bottle. So, tell your partner to burp him one or two times during a feed.

12. Breakdown how to store the milk
Have him follow the safety guidelines, so that he can have prepared bottles for his next feed.

• Untouched milk can last for a short period
  Fresh breast milk can be left out for four hours or refrigerated for up to four days, according to the CDC. Newly prepared formula bottles can be left out for two hours or refrigerated for up to 24 hours.
• Milk that is left over may need to be discarded
  If it’s breast milk in the bottle, know that whatever your baby doesn’t consume can only last for two more hours, as advised by the CDC. For leftover prepared formula in the bottle, the CDC encourages parents to discard the milk, as bacteria can grow from the baby’s saliva.
• Freezing breast milk is the best way to ensure the quality
  To store breast milk, freeze freshly expressed milk in breast milk–specific freezer-safe bags. Properly stored breast milk can remain in the freezer for six months or 12 months at the most.