We are happy to serve the healthcare needs of your child. If you have problems or questions, please call 817-735-2363.
UNT Health Pediatrics offers medical services including well-child check-ups, acute care, chronic medical conditions and immunizations.
Click below for more information about our pediatric providers:
UNT Health Science Center Pediatric Department
You have your new baby at home. Now what? She is crying, but how do you know if she is hungry of if it’s something else? Early signs that a baby is hungry include increased alertness. Your baby may wake up, move around a bit, and move her mouth or smack her lips. She may also raise her hands to her face. Your baby may also root (or turn her face toward your chest when held).
If you feed your baby early, when he seems hungry, it is easier to feed him because your baby is calm. If you wait to feed until your baby is crying loudly, he may be overwhelmed and have trouble eating or may have an upset tummy afterwards.
If she is full, she may close her mouth, and if you keep trying to get her to feed, she may push away from the bottle. When a baby says she is full, it is time to stop. Do not try to get a baby to drink a set number of ounces of formula at each feeding. She knows when she is full. If your baby is having trouble gaining weight, your doctor may encourage you to aim for a set number of ounces. If your baby is growing well, let her decide how much to eat.
Hold your baby close to you but with his head in the crook of your arm. He should be semi-upright when feeding a bottle.
You may have to feed your newborn every 1.5 to 3 hours and about 1.5 to 3 ounces at a feeding.
Every 2-3 ounces, you can stop feeding and burp your baby. In a newborn, you may want to burp after each ounce, and your baby may take only 1 ½ to 2 ounces. You will want to keep a towel or bib under your baby’s chin or on your shoulder in case he has a wet burp. There are a few ways to burp a baby:
If you have trouble burping your baby, or if he seems very fussy and uncomfortable during feedings, ask your baby’s healthcare provider.
For more information: Visit KidsHealth
Wash your hands before making your baby’s formula. Make sure you clean and sanitize bottles, nipples, and rings before using. Here is more information on how to do that: How to Clean, Sanitize, and Store Infant Feeding Items
If your baby is less than 3 months old and you use powdered infant formula, you should first boil and then cool the tap water you use to make her formula. See here for how to do this: Prevention & Control
You could use concentrated formula instead and then use tap water after 3 months of age.
If your baby doesn’t finish a bottle, that’s okay. He knows when he has had enough. You may keep the formula and offer it again if it is within 2 hours of the feeding. After that, throw it out. Formula made from powder should be kept in the refrigerator and must be thrown away within 24 hours of making it.
To prevent tooth decay, there are many things you can do. Avoid licking pacifiers or sharing saliva with your baby. Avoid putting your baby to sleep with a bottle in the crib. Avoid propping bottles. Always hold your baby and feed him. Also, be sure to offer only formula in a bottle until age 12 months. Babies do not usually need water and do not need any juice, juice drinks, or sugary drinks until after 1 year.
More information on preventing tooth decay: