Healthdirect Free Australian health advice you can count on.

Medical problem? Call 1800 022 222. If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately

healthdirect Australia is a free service where you can talk to a nurse or doctor who can help you know what to do.

Baby feeding

1-minute read

Having a new baby can be a time of great anxiety, as well as pleasure. How to feed the baby? How often do babies feed? Is breastfeeding best? When do things change? When should you introduce solids? What to do if the baby is not feeding properly? Parents need to work out answers to these questions that fit with experts’ recommendations, and also that fit with their lives. It is important to discuss these questions with your midwives, nurses and doctor if you believe there are problems and your baby is not feeding as you expect. And to understand how the routine of feeding changes from the newborn to older infants. Follow the links below to find trusted information about baby feeding, or learn ore about feeding your baby on Pregnancy, Birth and Baby.

Need more information?

These trusted information partners have more on this topic.

Baby feeding - myDr.com.au

Breastfeeding is best for baby feeding. Breast milk is easily digested, economical, safe and the right temperature. Find out what products are available for baby feeding.

Caring for a baby - feeding and sleeping

Many parents, particularly mothers, talked about what it was like caring for a baby. Feeding and settling (sleeping and crying) were key issues which often posed significant challenges for many new parents.

Read more on Healthtalk Australia website

Miracle Babies - Feeding

Read more on Miracle Babies Foundation website

Parenting and Child Health - Health Topics - Aboriginal - healthy food and drinks for your grandkids

Many newborn babies need to feed very often, day and night. The more often babies feed, the more milk mums will make.

Read more on Women's and Children's Health Network website

Baby Advice & Parenting Tips From Newborn to Young Children | Tresillian

Check out Tresillian's top tips and advice on the best way to approach issues such as settling baby, breastfeeding, babys feed, play and sleep routine and more.

Common concerns mum | Australian Breastfeeding Association

Do I need to wake my baby for feeds?

Read more on Australian Breastfeeding Association website

Babies independent feeding & eating | Raising Children Network

Feeding and eating are not just about nutrition; they help a child learn about social relationships such as love and power, develop thinking and exploration, and increase a childs sense of self and general approach to the world.

Read more on Raising Children Network website

Parenting and Child Health - Health Topics - Breastfeeding - when babies won't feed

Some new babies take a while to learn how to attach to the breast and feed effectively. Others feed well at first, then become fussy. These problems can be very distressing: seek help if the followingideas do not help.

Read more on Women's and Children's Health Network website

Do I need to wake my baby for feeds? | Australian Breastfeeding Association

Newborns have tiny tummies and so need to feed frequently. For example, for the first couple of days of a newborns life, their tummy is about the size of a marble. By day 10 their tummy is about the size of a ping pong ball. Thereafter, their tummy is about the size of their own fist. Feeding frequently in the early weeks helps make sure you have a good milk supply.

Read more on Australian Breastfeeding Association website

How to feed your baby with formula

A step-by-step guide to preparing a baby formula feed, tips when using formula, common questions about bottle feeding, plus links to trusted resources.

Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website