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Your
Step-by-Step Guide to Bottlefeeding
Let us take you
through your first bottlefeeding experience.
If you've recently
decided to bottlefeed your newborn, you're probably full of questions
about formula preparation, sanitizing utensils, feeding positions,
and burping techniques. Here are seven steps for successfully bottlefeeding
your baby.
1. Make sure all bottles, nipples, and other utensils are clean. If
the water in your home is chlorinated, clean the utensils in your
dishwasher or wash them in hot tap water with dishwashing detergent
and then rinse them in hot tap water. If you have well water or nonchlorinated
water, either place the utensils in boiling water for five to ten
minutes or use a process called terminal heating.
In terminal heating
you clean, but do not sterilize, the bottles in advance. You then
fill them with the prepared formula and cap them loosely. Next, the
filled bottles are placed in a pan with water reaching about halfway
up the bottles, and the water is brought to a gentle boil for about
25 minutes.
2. Read the directions.
Be sure to follow the manufacturer's directions exactly for the formula
type you choose. Too much water and your baby won't get the calories
and nutrients she needs; too little water and the high concentration
of formula could cause diarrhea or dehydration.
3. Prepare the
formula. Bring the water you plan to use in the formula to a boil
for approximately one minute. Then add it to the formula powder. If
you're preparing this in advance, be sure to store it in the refrigerator.
If the formula is left out of the refrigerator for longer than one
hour or if you don't use refrigerated formula within 24 hours, throw
it out.
4. Warm the refrigerated formula. Refrigerated formula doesn't necessarily
have to be warmed up for your baby, but most infants prefer it at
least at room temperature. The easiest way to warm refrigerated or
frozen milk is to place the container in a pan of water on the stove
at low heat and rotate it frequently. Microwave ovens should not be
used for heating bottles; this can overheat the milk in the center
of the container. Even if the bottle feels comfortably warm to your
touch, the superheated milk in the center can scald your baby's mouth.
Also, the bottle itself can explode if left in the microwave too long.
If you warm a
bottle or use it immediately after terminal heating, test it in advance
to make sure it's not too hot for your baby. The easiest way to test
the temperature is to shake a few drops on the inside of your wrist.
5. Place your
baby in a feeding position. Cradle her in a semi-upright position
and support her head. Don't feed her lying down--formula can flow
into the middle ear, causing an infection. To prevent your baby from
swallowing air as she sucks, tilt the bottle so that the formula fills
the neck of the bottle and covers the nipple.
6. Take note
of your baby's intake. The pediatrician will probably ask you how
much your baby has eaten, so be prepared to answer the question. Your
newborn will probably take between two and four ounces per feeding
during his first few weeks (during the first few days, he may take
less than an ounce at feedings), and will probably be hungry every
two to four hours. It's best to feed your baby on demand. Don't encourage
your baby to finish the bottle if he's not interested. And if he's
still sucking enthusiastically when the bottle is empty, offer him
more.
7. Burp your
baby. Babies get fussy and cranky when they swallow air during feedings.
This happens more often with bottlefed infants, though breastfed infants
can also swallow air. To prevent a tummy full of air, burp your baby
frequently--after every two or three ounces of formula. If your baby
doesn't burp after a couple of minutes of trying, resume feeding.
Here are the three best positions:
Over the shoulder: Drape your baby over your shoulder and firmly pat
or rub her back.
2. On the lap:
Sit your baby upright, lean her weight forward against the heel of
your hand, and firmly pat or rub her back.
3. Lying down:
Place baby stomach-down on your lap and firmly rub or pat her back.
Your
should know:
The
information on this Web site is designed for educational purposes
only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical
advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose
or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your
pediatrician or family doctor. Please consult a doctor with any
questions or concerns you might have regarding your or your child's
condition.
Rebornne Baby. American Baby
