Giving Bottle Feeds to your Baby
It is important how a baby is held during bottle feeding. Breast fed babies spend lots of time in close contact with their mothers, allowing time for them to gaze at one another, enhancing bonding. Bottle fed babies can miss out on this physical and eye contact time, particularly as bottle feed can be completed in a shorter time than a full breast feed. (See Paced Bottle Feeding).
Alternating which side baby is held while bottle feeding simulates the natural variation of positioning which occurs when mothers switch sides while breastfeeding. Start the bottle feed by stroking the baby’s lips with the teat to coax her to open her mouth. Put the teat into baby’s mouth resting gently on her tongue, allowing her to gape and flange her lips around the wider part of the teat. Refer to the information about Paced Bottle Feeding for guidance about feeding technique.
Watch baby’s response to the milk going into her throat and how comfortably she swallows. The flow should be steady but not fast, allowing baby to suck, swallow and breathe without struggling with any part of the process.
Expect baby to take rest periods, or even a nap, between the instalments of the bottle feed. Swap sides during the feed, similar to how baby alternates sides during breastfeeding. Bottles should never be propped for a baby of any age to drink unattended.
Water – Breastfed babies do not require extra water even in hot weather. Breastmilk contains exactly the right amount of water to meet baby’s hydration needs, however baby may feed more frequently in hot weather to quench his thirst. Giving water to a breastfed baby makes baby’s stomach feel full and may cause him to refuse a breastfeed, missing out on the nutrients he needs.
Babies under 6 months of age are not able to safely process water alone due to the immaturity of their kidneys. Giving water can lead to a serious condition called water intoxication, which can be fatal. Formula fed babies may need extra water as a supplement to formula feeds in hot weather – this may be offered as separate sips of boiled water. Extra water should not added in a bottle of formula because it will alter the concentration of the formula and baby would receive less nutrients.
Never mix expressed breastmilk and formula together. If feeding baby with both milk options, always give all the available breastmilk first, separately. Then offer some formula if baby is still showing signs of hunger. Always use the “Paced Bottle Feeding Technique” so baby can determine the rate and the volume which he is comfortable to take at that time. This technique simulates how baby takes a breastfeed, with pauses during swallowing, and stopping when he feels satisfied.
Visit www.NewBaby101.com.au to access reliable information about feeding your baby safely, making infant formula, breastfeeding and answers to every question new parents ask! Available as an eBook $9.95 and Print book in Australia $23.95, also Amazon and Booktopia.
Uncategorized