When my little guy, Phoenix, was first born I had a really hard time with feeding. At that time in my life, my world was quite chaotic. Apart from being in a toxic relationship, not working anymore (so my escape from my toxic relationship into an environment of familiar faces and friends was gone) I was alone and a new mum. I was stressed both from just having spit out an 8 lb 9-ounce baby through a small hole and in pain from this, and now, I was now in charge of this little bundle that cried all the time and hardly slept. I was torn between trying to enjoy my new relationship with my beautiful little boy and remembering all the things a new mum needed to keep in mind.
The first 3 weeks were just a bit of a blur as I ‘demand’ fed him just to keep him happy whilst I ‘got my shit together’ and started to get used to my new life . He was the most important thing in my world now and I needed to be organised so that I could enjoy every moment I had with him. For the first 3 weeks, I struggled with feeding because I couldn’t remember which breast he had fed on, and would just put him on either and wait to see if he was satisfied in order to figure that out. Sometimes, one of my breasts was larger than the other, so I mistakenly put him back on the same side he had fed on before. Big mistake! This would make him upset, and by the time I got him settled onto the other side, he was crying and didn’t calm down quickly. I believe this led to bubbles in his tummy from crying, being hungry, and trying to latch too quickly, which in turn made him need to burp more. This added more stress for both of us, so I decided to start keeping a small notepad on the couch and in the bedroom where I fed him. This way I always had something to write down which breasts and the times he had fed. I am an organised person and this little bundle had got the best of me and thrown my world into a beautiful chaos but together we would get through it. This is how The Phoenix Diary App was born!! I needed to help other mothers take the chaos out of being a new mum by easing the worries of a new baby world. Making it as simple as it needed to be.
By doing this it helped me to move into a feeding schedule as I needed to get back to work with a newborn in tow. My life at the time did not allow me to spend 12 months at home enjoying being a new mum. I needed to be back at work in 3 months….. So I had 3 months to get my little guy (and myself) into a schedule that suited my lifestyle which is now his lifestyle. Many mums don’t use this technique and that is ok. Everyone needs to do it their way and there’s no judgment here. This is the way I needed it to go as I had to get back to full time work and a schedule that I could maintain whilst at work. Luckily for me I could take him to work with me but I still needed to have him on a time schedule that suited my breaks at work and kept him satisfied enough to not cry for food and be nourished enough to maintain his health along the way. I had to have everything organised for everything to fall into place.
The way I started was to first track when he fed so I knew how much time he had between feeds. Then I would use a timer to add an extra 5 mins to that time. Unfortunately in that time sometimes he would cry so I needed to distract him to take up the 5 mins I needed. I would play games, take him outside to see a different view, read a colourful book or just sit and talk to him. I did this for a few days and then slowly increased the time between feeds until I pushed it out to 3 hours between feeds. This allowed me enough time to, one, get things done, and two get him into a routine that would suit driving to work and home and also allow me the time in between to get some work done. Then I started on the night feeds and pushed that out to 6 hours so that we all got a good night's sleep.
For me also, being a little anal with organisation, I loved using all the gadgets that could help simplify my life.. I had a nursing pillow that went everywhere with me as it helped me to not get a dead arm from holding onto Phoenix while feeding. If you know me, you know I love multitasking. So while I was feeding him I could read a book, write his times down, work on the computer, and so many more things because I could use both arms at the same time as breastfeeding.
I had the most organisable bag I could find because I needed it packed and ready to go everyday and needed to access everything as quickly as possible so I got a bag that had a lot of compartments to hold everything in place because that bag was going to work with me everyday or on outings with us all the time. I also didn’t have much time to heat up his bottle (I expressed in between feeds so I could have a bottle on hand every day in case someone else needed to feed him as my breasts were busy. So I got myself a USB Bottle Warmer, and it was the best thing I ever did. I knew when he would wake up for his feed and I had a bottle warmed up and ready to go. I had the drying rack for when I cleaned the bottles so they didn’t fall over and dried ready for the next day and a bottle cleaner that could get into all the cracks and crevices that baby bottles have.
Here are some more things I learnt along the way is in the tips below:
Newborn Feeding Schedule: Understanding the Basics
Newborns need frequent feeding, usually every 2-3 hours (or less), around the clock. In the first few weeks, they rely entirely on breast milk or formula to grow and thrive. Tracking your newborn’s feeding schedule helps you stay on top of their nutritional needs and can make it easier to establish a routine. Knowing when your baby last fed also prevents missed meals, especially during those sleepless nights when everything blurs together.
Baby Apps: A Modern Parenting Tool
Baby apps are designed to help overwhelmed parents keep track of all baby-related activities, from feeding and sleep to nappy changes. They offer convenience and peace of mind by keeping all important information in one place. Whether you’re at home or on the go, apps make it easier to access vital data at a glance and ensure your baby’s needs are met without guessing or relying on memory. A common issue that new parents have is figuring out how to track baby feeding. Of course you can go old school with pen and paper, but a much easier way is using a baby feeding app. A newborn feeding tracker app can help you track their feeding patterns as well as act as a method to introduce a feeding schedule, making it easier to see what works and what doesn’t.
Track Baby Feeding Times for Better Insights
Tracking when and how much your baby eats is crucial for understanding their needs. By recording feeding times, you can recognise patterns and make informed decisions about when to offer the next feed. This also helps during growth spurts or periods of fussiness when feeding habits might change. With consistent tracking, you can ensure your baby’s feeding schedule aligns with their developmental needs as well as your own.
Why Track Baby Feeding?
Tracking feedings is more than just recording times; it’s about monitoring your baby’s health. It allows you to identify shifts in appetite that could signal changes in their growth or health. For instance, a sudden increase in feeding frequency might indicate a growth spurt, while decreased feeding could alert you to a potential illness or issue.
Should You Track Baby Feeds?
Yes! Tracking baby feeds gives you insights into how much and how often your baby is eating, which can be helpful for both breastfed and formula-fed babies. It can also reassure parents that their baby is getting enough nourishment, helping to reduce anxiety, especially in the first few months when every feeding session counts.
How Do You Keep Track of Feedings?
The easiest and most reliable way to track feedings is by using an app like The Phoenix Diary app, designed specifically for parents. The app allows you to log each feeding, whether breastfeeding, formula-feeding, or pumping, and includes notes on duration and quantity. This method is much simpler and more accurate than trying to remember every feeding manually.
What is a Feeding Tracker?
A feeding tracker is a tool, typically found in baby apps, that lets you log each feeding session. It helps you record important details such as the time, duration, and quantity of feedings. Over time, this data becomes invaluable in understanding your baby’s hunger cues and maintaining a consistent feeding routine.
Best Baby Tracking App Australia: The Phoenix Diary app
If you’re an Australian parent looking for a comprehensive baby tracking app, The Phoenix Diary app is an excellent option. It covers all aspects of baby care, including feeding, sleep, and nappy changes, giving you a full picture of your baby’s daily needs and patterns. The app is user-friendly, making it ideal for busy parents who want to simplify baby care. Not only this but you can get a summary to show your Dr and you can also store photos and record milestones like weight, height, head circumference and activities like playing, crawling, tummy time & more.
Baby App for Feeding and Sleep
Managing both feeding and sleep schedules can be overwhelming, but a baby app like The Phoenix Diary app makes it easy. The app tracks both areas seamlessly, providing insights into their connection. A well-fed baby often sleeps better, and by monitoring both, you can optimise your baby’s routine.
Track Baby’s Sleep and Feedings Together
Combining feeding and sleep tracking offers a comprehensive view of your baby’s routine. It allows you to understand how feeding times impact sleep quality and duration. For instance, tracking might reveal that your baby sleeps longer after a fuller feeding or needs more frequent feedings to avoid nighttime wake-ups.
Baby Feeding Log App: Simplify Your Routine
A baby feeding log app takes the guesswork out of feeding schedules. By automatically logging feeding times and amounts, it reduces stress and helps you keep track of your baby’s intake. This is particularly helpful if multiple caregivers are involved, ensuring everyone is on the same page.
App FAQ’s
How does tracking feeds help me understand my baby’s hunger cues and patterns?
By logging feedings, you can detect patterns in your baby’s eating habits. Over time, you’ll notice cues that signal hunger, such as fussiness or rooting, helping you anticipate feeding times more accurately.
Will tracking my baby’s feeds improve my confidence as a new parent?
Absolutely. Seeing a clear log of feedings reassures you that your baby is eating enough. It provides tangible evidence that you’re meeting your baby’s needs, boosting your confidence as a new parent.
How can an app make feeding schedules easier to manage?
An app like The Phoenix Diary app eliminates the need for paper logs or trying to remember feedings. It keeps all the information at your fingertips, making it easy to stay organised and adjust the schedule as needed.
What kind of insights or benefits will I gain by recording my baby’s feeding habits?
Tracking feeding habits reveals patterns that help you predict your baby’s needs, from when they’re likely to be hungry to how much they typically eat. This can aid in planning your day and reducing stress.
How will tracking feeds help me if I’m breastfeeding or using formula?
Whether you breastfeed or use formula, tracking feeds helps you ensure your baby is getting the right amount of nourishment. For breastfeeding mothers, it’s helpful to track which side was last used, while formula-feeding parents can monitor intake to ensure consistent nutrition.
What additional features does The Phoenix Diary app offer besides feed tracking?
The Phoenix Diary app goes beyond feed tracking by also recording sleep patterns, nappy changes, activities and growth milestones, providing a holistic view of your baby’s health and development.
How easy is it to use The Phoenix Diary app, and will it simplify my routine?
The Phoenix Diary app is designed with simplicity in mind. It’s intuitive, user-friendly, and streamlines your daily routine by consolidating all baby-related data in one place. By simplifying feeding, sleeping, and other activities, it reduces the mental load on busy parents.
I personally designed this app from my own experience and hope that it will be an amazing addition to your new baby world.
Penni xx