Feeding Philosophies.

Notes from Babywise chapter 2


Feeding baby should be easy. Your baby needs food and you have it.

Prior to this century, common sense, not theoretical concepts, was most critical in raising children. Mothers nursed babes when they were hungry, pre-established guidelines for babies hunger patterns.

Parent-Directed Feeding (PDF) is a 24 hour infant-management strategy designed to help moms connect with their babies and their babies connect with them.

It is our experience that both baby and mom do better when a baby’s life is guided by a flexible routine. It has enough structure to bring security and order to your baby’s world, yet enough flexibility to give mom the freedom to respond to any need at any time.

Comparative Analysis of Feeding Philosophies


Child-led feeding: The constant of time is not considered, because the theory insists that parent submits to the baby’s hunger cue regardless of the lapse of time.

Clock feeding: Feeding times are guided strictly by the constant of the clock. The clock determines when and how the baby is fed so if the baby is hungry in 3 hours too bad, they have to wait till the 4th.

Parent-Directed feeding: Both the variable of hunger cues and the constant of time guide parents at each feeding.



The Philosophy of Parent-Directed Feeding

PDF brings into play the critical tool of parental assessment. Parental assessment takes the best of both and weds them together.

Hunger Cue + Clock + PA ( Parental Assessment) = Feeding Time

1. PDF with Parental Assessment provides tools to recognize and assess two potential problems with infant feeding a) a child who feeds often, such as every hour, may not be getting the rick hind milk. With PA you no only respond to the cue by feeding the baby, but are alerted to a potential problem with the feeding. B) when the cue is not present, the clock serves as a guide to ensure that too much time does not elapse between feedings.

2. When the hunger cue is present, the clock is submissive to the cue, because the hunger cue, not the clock, determines feedings.

3. In the end, PDF promotes breast-feeding, healthy sleep, and healthy infant weight gain.