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 or 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 breastfeed because your baby is calm and can latch on to your breast. If you wait to feed until your baby is crying loudly, he may be overwhelmed and have trouble latching to your breast.
If you make a lot of milk, some babies may only feed on one breast at a feeding. That is okay too, but you will need to make sure you feed your baby on the other breast at the next feeding.
After your baby has nursed well, she may be full. Babies who are full may detach from the breast and seem sleepy or relaxed. If she is full, she may close her mouth, and if you keep trying to get her to feed, she may push away from your breast. When a baby says she is full, it is time to stop.
To breastfeed your baby, sit in a comfortable chair or lie on your side.
See more on positions here:
Breast-feeding positions
These videos help you learn how to latch your baby:
Your Baby Knows How to Latch-On from Ameda
Attaching Your Baby at the Breast
For more information:
How to latch your baby to the breast
Positions to use when breastfeeding
Videos for new moms
Sometimes even when you try very hard to get a baby to latch well, you may have breast pain or breastfeeding problems. There is more on how to deal with these problems here: Common breastfeeding challenges
If you have problems making milk, latching, or have breast pain, talk to a breastfeeding specialist. WIC has access to breastfeeding counselors, and the hospital or birthing center where you had your baby may be able to help you find a breastfeeding specialist. La Leche League may also be able to help you find someone to help.
In between breasts, you can stop feeding and burp your baby.
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
Your role as caregiver to a new baby is very important. It will change your lifestyle a lot, and you may miss getting to just hang out with baby’s mom. Sometimes you may feel jealous. That is normal. However, baby’s mom and baby both need you right now. When you support baby’s mom, she is more likely to be able to breastfeed with success and make enough milk. Burping, diapering, bathing, cuddling, and singing with baby are all great ways to get involved. Babies love getting to know dads and partners who sing and talk to them and hold them close.
Cluster feeding is when your baby may feed several times a day very close together at some times of day. This may happen more in the evening, but not all babies are the same. This is common in newborn babies. Do not worry. Make sure you are eating and drinking regular, healthy meals. Rest when you can. As your body makes more milk, the baby should space the feedings out a little more.
You do not have to cover up when feeding. In Texas, you are allowed to nurse your baby anywhere you are allowed to be. Some babies really do not like to be covered. If you are upset by others’ responses to your public breastfeeding, here are some thoughts other mothers have had about this issue: Article about discretion from La Leche League International.
However, some women may be more comfortable if covered. You do not have to buy expensive covers. You can use a thin blanket over your shoulder and put the baby under until latched, then use a shirt to cover. Other women use two shirts, one to lift up under and the other that stays over the baby. Just make sure your baby can get plenty of air. There are lots of videos online where moms talk about how they nurse in public.
When you breastfeed your baby, your baby gets to taste the flavors you taste through the breast milk. He also eats the same types of fats that you do and gets the vitamins and minerals that you eat. Most mothers’ milk is very healthy for the baby even if they do not eat a perfect diet. However, if you do not eat enough or restrict what you eat a lot, your baby might not get enough of some nutrients. If you have had weight loss surgery, it is very important that you take your prescribed supplements while nursing.
To make sure both you and your baby are healthy and have plenty of energy, try to eat a healthy diet. Eat protein foods 2-3 times a day (fish, beans, peas, nuts, seeds, dairy, poultry, and meat). Eat at least 3 vegetables and 2 fruits each day. Eat some whole grains (like whole wheat or whole grain bread or pasta, brown rice, oatmeal, or barley) every day, and drink water as you are thirsty. Do not try to lose weight quickly because it might cause you to make less milk. If you drink alcohol, wait until it is out of your blood to breastfeed or pump. If your baby seems easily upset and you are drinking more than 2 cups of coffee or other drinks with caffeine, you may need to cut back. There is more on a healthy diet for breastfeeding here: Diet for Breastfeeding Mothers
If you are going back to work or school, you do not have to stop breastfeeding. Employers that have at least 50 employees, as well as hospitals and schools, must allow you to have reasonable amounts of break time to pump. They must also provide a place to pump that is not a bathroom, where others can’t see you, and where people can’t barge in while you are pumping. There is more on the laws on this here: Breastfeeding and the Law
Here is more on how to prepare to go back to work or school:
Breastfeeding and going back to work
If you need a good pump, most health plans and Medicaid will provide them: WIC Breast Pumps Link
WIC can help moms who receive WIC get a pump if you can’t get one from your health plan.