A Guide To Your New Family's First Weeks - Meriter Health Services

• If your home was built in 1985 or earlier, have
your water tested for lead.
• Have your well water tested every 6 months.
Agencies That Can Test Your Water
• State Lab of Hygiene – (608) 224-6202 or
1-800-442-4618. Water testing kits for well
and city water are available for a small fee.
• Public Health for Madison and Dane County –
(608) 266-4821. Water testing kits for well and
city water are available for approximately $40.
Fees are waived for Dane County residents who
meet income eligibility standards.
• City of Madison – For city residents only. (608)
266-4821. You can pick up test kits at Room 507,
City-County Building, Martin Luther King Blvd.,
Madison, WI 53703. Fee is approximately $15-$25.
Bottle Feeding Your Baby
Feed when your baby shows signs of hunger (early
feeding cues) and until content. The feeding pattern
will vary at first, but will become more predictable as
the weeks go by and your baby matures. Sometimes
newborns are sleepy or still learning how to feed. It
is likely that your newborn will awaken multiple times
during the night to feed. It is not necessary to wake a
full-term, healthy, formula-fed baby during the night
for a feeding unless your physician otherwise directs
you to do so.
• There are many types of bottles and nipples
available for you to use with your infant. You may
want to start with a smaller supply until you find
one that works well for your baby.
• Find a comfortable position so you can see your
baby easily and you support your back and legs.
• Hold your baby so the head is a little higher than
the body. Do not feed your baby lying down.
• Stroke the lower lip with the nipple to encourage
your baby to open her mouth wide.
• Place the nipple on the top of your baby’s tongue.
Your baby will start sucking when she feels the
nipple on the roof of the mouth and the middle of
the tongue.
• Keep the bottle tipped so the nipple is always full
of formula and there is a steady rise of air bubbles.
(Adjust the nipple ring so air will rise but no
formula leaks around the edges of the ring.)
• Watch your baby’s face and talk to him while you
are feeding. Your baby may pause in sucking to
listen to your voice. Over time, your baby will be
able to suck, swallow and listen all at the same time.
• Burp your baby frequently, about every 1-2 ounces
and at the end of the feeding.
• It is not necessary to sterilize bottles and water
if you use a city water supply. Be sure to wash
bottles and nipples in hot soapy water and
thoroughly rinse them.
Important:
• Do not prop your baby with a bottle for feedings.
• Do not warm formula in a microwave.
• Do not add solids to bottle.
Frequency And Amount Of Feedings
Feed your baby “on cue”—Feed your baby when he
shows early feeding cues such as:
• Early wakefulness from sleep
• Sucking sounds, making other noises
• Bringing hands to mouth
• Rooting around, licking lips
• Alertness, looking around
By taking advantage of early feeding cues, your baby
will be able to feed when interested and calm. If you
miss cues, your baby may cry and become frantic.
Crying or fussing are later signs of hunger, but do
not always mean it is time for a feeding. As you get to
know your baby you will learn his “hunger cries.”
Feed your baby at least 8-12 times per day—This
gives your baby the fluid and nutrition he needs.
Each baby needs a different amount of formula to
feel satisfied. Let your baby’s behavior guide you as
to how much to feed your baby. When your baby is
satisfied, she will turn her head and settle. However,
if she is still hungry she will fuss even with a pacifier.
Each baby is different and every day will be different
depending on activity level, your baby’s age and rate
of growth. (See guide on page 32.)
“Room-in” with your baby—Keep your baby with
you as much as possible. This allows you to identify
early feeding cues. Spend as much time with your
baby skin-to-skin as possible (see page 12).
34