Bottle Feeding

If you are going to use formula you first need to know a bit about it and then decide what type to use. Most formula milk is made from cow's milk and is designed to be as much like breast milk as possible. Formula contains elements essential to your baby's health such as fat, protein, carbohydrate, vitamins and minerals. Some also have long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPs) added which are believed to boost brain development. In today's market there is an enormous array of formulas to choose from and which you choose depend on you and your babies personal preference, each formula is slightly different and as a result tastes slightly different.

Formula tends to come in two stages, the first stage, made from whey, is most like breast milk, so best for newborns and young babies. Second stage milk, casing-based, is designed for hungrier babies and takes longer to digest. Although suitable from birth the protein isn't as close to breast milk as that found in first stage milk. If you choose to at a later stage you can also give follow on milk, this is given to babies six months and up it contains extra iron, which your baby will need by this age. Iron can be given in other ways, the choice is yours.

Milk allegy
It seems to be more and more common that babies are having problems with cow's milk product, if this is the case with yours there is a Soya based formula which maybe tolerated better. But before you change to it is best to speak to a medical professional as it is high in sugar and is not suitable for all babies. There are other alternatives that they can suggest that can be given on prescription. There are many deals to be had online for buying formula so once you have made your decision which to use check it out to see if you can get it at a better price.

How often to feed
As we mentioned earlier with breast feeding most experts i.e. mums would seem to agree that you shouldn't follow a rigid schedules in the early weeks, though you may be able to work out an approximate pattern within a month or two. Offer the bottle every two to three hours at first or as your baby seems hungry. Until the baby reaches about 10 pounds, they will probably take one to three ounces per feeding. Try not to force more than they are ready to eat. Your mid wife should advise you about suitable amounts for your baby as they grow.

Sterilizing the bottles
You can buy a sterilizer at any baby store, we have found in talking to mothers that many didn't use conventional sterilizers they simply used boiling water this is up to you but it is recomendanded that newborns bottles are sterilized.Before using bottles, nipples, and rings, you should submerge them in a pot of boiling water for at least five minutes. Then allow them to dry on a clean towel. After about 6 month it is ok just to give bottles etc a good cleaning in hot, soapy water, a cycle through the dishwasher should be enough. The choice of how to clean them is yours it is just important that they are cleaned thoroughly.

Warming a bottle
There is no health reason to feed a baby warmed milk it is a matter of what your baby prefers or gets used to. If your baby is accustomed to drinking bottles at room temperature or cold you save yourself the time and hassle of preheating bottles, especially when they are crying to be fed, or your somewhere where you can't warm the milk. If you choose to warm then when you're ready to feed your baby, you can warm a bottle in a pan of hot but not boiling water, or by running it under the tap, you can also buy a bottle warmer designed for this purpose, it is not a good idea to warm bottles in the microwave as it can destroy the nutrients and it is suggested that there could be pockets of heat.

Positions to feed in
It takes a while to feed your baby so it is important that you are both in a comfortable position. Your baby will tell you if they are not in the right position and you can move them, remember to do yourself the same courtesy, many mums just suffer in silence with aching arms and backs; there is no need for that experiment till you find a way that you are comfortable. It is worth telling you to not prop a bottle up to feed your child, not that we think you would be just in case don't as there is a risk that the child will choke.