Baby Bottle-Feeding Tips
Baby Bottle-Feeding Tips
Bottle-feeding is straightforward, but you will need to make sure that your baby can swallow properly, and that he is not taking in air with the milk.
1. Never leave your baby with the bottle propped up on a pillow or cushion; it can be dangerous. He could become very uncomfortable if he swallows a lot of air with the formula, and he could choke. Moreover, he will miss the cuddling and affection that he should enjoy while he eats.
2. Tilt your baby on your arm. It is very difficult for a baby to swallow when he is lying flat, so don't feed him in this position; he may gag or even vomit.
3. If your baby has a stuffed nose he can't swallow and breathe at the same time. Your doctor can give you nose drops to be used before each feeding.
4. Don't change your formula without first consulting your pediatrician, even if you think your baby does not like the one you're using. It is very unusual for a brand of formula to be responsible for a baby's not feeding well; very rarely cows' milk formula causes allergies in babies, and your doctor nay advise you to use a soy-based formula
5. Your baby knows when he's had enough, so don't try to force him to finish the bottle after he has stopped, sucking.
To protect your baby from bacteria, make sure all feeding equipment is scrupulously clean, and be careful with the storage and preparation of formula.
1. Follow all cleaning instructions carefully. 2. Wash your hands before preparing or giving feedings. 3. Never add any extra powder; follow the instructions accurately. 4. Give the formula to your baby as soon as it has been warmed up. 5. When making batches, cool the formula as soon as it is made up. Don't store warm milk in a thermos bottle; germs will easily breed there. 6. Keep all prepared bottles refrigerated until they are needed. 7. Keep any opened ready-to-use formula in a jar (not the can) in the refrigerator. 8. After a feeding, throw away any leftover formula.
Burping: Burping releases any air that has been swallowed during feeding. It's unlikely that gas causes your baby discomfort, and many babies are not noticeably happier or more contented for having been burped. Swallowing air is more common in bottle-fed babies, but you can prevent it to some extent by tilting the bottle more as your baby empties it so that the nipple is full of milk and not air. Disposable bottles cut down on the air the baby swallows, because air cannot enter the bottle as the baby sucks the milk.
The good thing about burping, whether you breast or bottle-feed, is that it makes you pause, relax, slow down hold your baby gently, and stroke or pat him, and this is good for both of you.