Newborn

A newborn baby’s body is focused on two things: completing development and gaining weight in the first year – this is so important. It’s the main thing the medical profession is interested in from the second your baby is born.

For the whole of the first year, weighing a newborn is the first thing we do during a paediatric consult. There is a good reason for this, babies need to grow at an incredible rate.

A newborn typically puts on 100-200g per week compared to a one year old who will only gain around 180g a month. Breast milk is the perfect food for your newborn. It contains the ideal balance of fat, protein and carbohydrates, not to mention various elements of minerals and immune boosting factors.

Colostrum or early milk is made during the last few weeks of pregnancy and days after birth. It has three times more protein, less sugar and less fat. In addition this early magic milk is full of antibodies which provide your newborn with immunity to fight germs and bacteria. If you are breastfeeding you are going to need to drink at least 2L of water a day.

Ideally you should aim to include three meals and three snacks a day. Do not skip meals, as your body is the factory and your food the raw material. Finally, get enough rest and continue your prenatal supplements.