Basic steps to help mothers practice bottle-feeding

Busy modern life makes mothers unable to breastfeed often. One of the main alternatives is bottle-feeding.

One of the benefits of bottle-feeding over breast-feeding is that you can see how much milk your baby drinks while looking at the bottle. However, even if there is a clear standard for how much milk your baby needs, remember that each baby has different needs. Your baby will decide for himself how much he needs to develop normally. If you pay attention to the symptoms, you will know how much and when your baby wants to suckle.

Wean your breast milk and switch to bottle-feeding

Are you ready to give your baby a bottle for the first time? Your baby can easily transition from breastfeeding to bottle feeding from the start. But many children need time to get used to this strange way of eating. You should keep in mind the secrets to practicing bottle feeding without being overwhelmed.

You can slowly interval and stop breastfeeding. When you return to work after maternity, you will no longer be able to breastfeed your baby for the first two meals of the day. Therefore, the baby needs to switch to a bottle of one meal a day, then increase to two meals and the baby should be trained two weeks before. This will help your baby and breast milk adapt gradually if you want to add formula instead of breastmilk .

Choose a bottle of milk

Choosing a bottle is sometimes as difficult as choosing formula for a baby. Manufacturers always assert that artificial nipples are no different from real nipples or their bottles are air-resistant when outside. There has never been a scientific document to prove the reliability of these claims, so it is difficult to come up with a typical good label.

Do bottles need to be disinfected?

For first-time bottles, pacifiers and plastic belts, mothers need to soak them in boiling water for at least 5 minutes before using. Then you dry them on a cotton towel to dry themselves. Finally, wash it with hot soapy water or wash it once in the dishwasher.

There are two other ways, one is that if you use well water, you should continue to disinfect the bottle after each use. Second, to minimize the chance of exposure to harmful chemicals, you should not sterilize it by using heat such as boiling or microwave it.

Plastic bottles are made from bisphenol A and other chemicals that break down when heated. When these chemicals are released, they can get into the baby's milk. You can purchase a number of bottle-feeding aids such as bottle holders and nipple net bags, rubber belts and bottle caps at stores.

Can breastmilk be mixed with formula?

There's nothing wrong with mixing breastmilk and formula in one bottle. However, consider, you don't want to waste a single drop when trying to squeeze out milk and mix it with formula at all. Ideally, you should just breastfeed your baby, then add about 30-60 ml of formula if needed.

How to warm up a bottle for good?

Warming a bottle has no health benefits, but babies may prefer to drink warmer milk. You can soak the bottle in a bowl of warm water, remember it's not boiling or the water is too hot. You can also rinse the bottle under warm running water or purchase a bottle thermostat.

A note for mothers is not to heat the bottle in the microwave. Microwave does not heat up and you will not keep the nutrients in milk .

Signs that the child is hungry

Whether they are bottle-feeding or breast-feeding, there are certain signs that babies will show their parents whether they are hungry or full. Your baby will start to fussy, wiggle, suck on hands and copy lips when wanting to eat. Signs that the baby is full are releasing the nipple, turning away, and often falling asleep. As they get older, they will sleep less and instead look up at you and smile. At this point you can rest assured that the feeding is over, especially if the baby lets the milk fall on your clothes.

How do I know if my baby is comfortable or not?

The main method is that you need to listen and observe. If your baby's suckling noises are heard while suckling, he or she may inhale a lot of air instead of feeding. To let the child swallow less air, you should hold a 45 degree tilt. And be careful to tilt the bottle so that the nipple and neck are always full of milk. Absolutely should not be like a bottle for a self-feeding baby because it is easy to suffocate.

Moms remember not to breastfeed while the baby is lying on his back. Lying can also cause babies to choke and milk easily flows into the Eustach tube (the part that balances the internal and external air pressure) which can cause middle ear infections. During the first few months of life, you should gently touch your baby's nipple against his cheek to trigger initial reflexes such as the finding and attaching reflex.

Breastfeeding is an important period not only to help your baby get the ideal source of nutrition, but also a great time to nurture the baby by cherishing and tightening motherhood. This is not easy at all when you are still busy with work. Therefore, bottle feeding is a suitable alternative, helping mothers to help their hardships and maintaining quality meals for babies.