What to do if you can't produce enough milk or feeding is just too painful or exhausting. How to bottle-feed correctly and which formula to use? when to move from breastmilk to formula.
Breast Milk or Formula?
One of the most satisfying experiences for many women is breastfeeding. However, there are times when the mother may not be able to produce enough milk. Breastfeeding may also be too painful for some women. Others may be simply exhausted from breastfeeding. In these cases, bottle feeding is an acceptable alternative. There are some things you need to know before you start bottle feeding your baby. There are some great books about increasing milk supply, boosting your baby's I.Q and reducing colic and allergies,here is a great one.
Choosing a Formula
While breast milk is best for your baby, there are many formulas available today that offer the right nutrition. Unless you are using expressed breast milk, you should use a commercially prepared formula. There are different kinds of formula and different ways to prepare formula. It’s best to see which formula your doctor recommends to start with. There are also great organic formulas and you can save money and bulk buy
What once used to be an easy decision for parents has now become a huge market for formula manufacturers. You can choose a cow’s milk or soy baby formula, but there are others as well. There are now elemental formulas, lactose free formulas, and even specific formulas for premature babies. Mead Johnson, Nestle, and Ross are the major manufacturers of baby formula. However, there are many store brands available today as well.
Which Brand Is Best?
All baby formulas are made according to strict FDA regulations. These regulations specify the minimum and maximum requirements of nutrients for baby formula. These requirements have been recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition. This ensures that all of the available baby formulas are safe and nutritionally complete. While the American Academy of Pediatrics does not specifically endorse any brand of infant formula, they do advise that a low iron formula should be avoided. There have been no convincing research studies that have shown one brand is better than another.
Which Kind of Formula Is Best?
Most of the infant formulas differ in the types of proteins and sugar that they have. There are regular, iron fortified baby formulas that are made from cow’s milk proteins and contain lactose. Most babies that are not breastfeeding should use this type of formula.
For those babies that don’t tolerate milk proteins or lactose, there are several soy formulas that do not contain lactose. There are also baby formulas that are made with a special protein call hydolysate protein. These are much easier for a child that has a protein allergy to digest. You will also find infant formulas specifically designed for premature babies or those with reflux issues. There are also new formulas which contain DHA and ARA, which are important to a baby’s growth and development. These formulas are also the most like breast milk.
Ready-to-Feed, Concentrate, or Powder
Powder infant formula is usually the least expensive. However, ready-to-use baby formula is much faster than a mixing a powder or a concentrated liquid. You may want to use bottled water to mix with the concentrate or the powder, depending on your water supply. There is no difference in nutritional value between the different types of formula of the same brand. The most important thing to remember is to make the formula exactly as directed on the can. Do not use less powder or concentrate than listed, as your baby will not get enough nutrition. Do not water down the ready-to-feed formulas either. It’s even best to read the can each time you prepare the formula to make sure the directions have not changed.
How to Bottle Feed Correctly
Once you have prepared the formula and the bottles according to the directions on the formula can, there are some things to remember when bottle feeding babies. Test the temperature of the bottle on the inner part of your wrist to make sure it is not too hot. Never heat a bottle in the microwave, as there could be hot spots in the formula that you are unaware of.
Now, make sure your baby is comfortable. Change their diaper, make sure the baby is not too hot or too cold, and find a quite, comfortable place to sit. This should be a time to bond with your baby and it shouldn’t be rushed.
Prop a pillow under your arm for support. Hold your baby so their upper body is higher than the lower part. This will help eliminate air bubbles. If your baby does not want to open their mouth, gently stroke the cheek with the nipple. This will often cause the baby to open their mouth and turn towards the bottle.
Keep the nipple and the top of the feeding bottle filled with formula, as this will eliminate air bubbles that can be very uncomfortable for your baby. After your baby has consumed about two ounces of formula, try to burp him or her. This should be done after every two ounces of formula.
Talk to your baby and make eye contact while bottle feeding your baby. This can be a very special time for the person feeding the baby and the bond will begin to grow. Once the baby has finished, make sure you burp them again. Throw out any unused formula and make sure the bottles are prepared correctly for the next feeding.
Bottle Fed Babies V/S Breastfed Babies
Bottle babies are just as happy as breastfed babies. The important thing to remember is to properly prepare the formula and the bottles. You will enjoy this time spent with your baby, even if it is a bottle feeding. Newborns will bond with their mothers and fathers quickly. This time is some of the most important that you can spend with your baby.
and you can save money and