Responsive feeding

Responsive feeding is giving your baby a feed when they show you signs they’re hungry and stopping when they show you they’re full. This makes your baby feel safe and cared for, supporting a close and loving bond between you and helping their brain to grow. Breastfeeding your baby meets their needs for comfort and nutrition all in one and has many benefits for mother and child but this isn’t always an option for every family. If you can’t or choose not to breastfeed, and bottle-feed with formula or expressed breastmilk, you can still follow your child’s needs and nurture them with affection through responsive feeding. This will help them to grow in a way that’s healthy for them. Find support for you and your child along the journey from pregnancy to starting school including how to contact your health visitor and where to find healthy child clinics where you can talk to a member of the health visiting team for advice and support our Kent Baby website. family.kentcht.nhs.uk/baby