BOTTLE FEEDING YOUR BABY

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Feeding your baby: Feeding time is a special time for you and your baby to enjoy and get to know one another. It should be a time for you to relax and to show love to your baby. Try to be calm and not hurried. Feeding time should be quiet and free of things that get in the way of this special time. Ask your other children to have quiet time while you feed your new baby. Turn off the phone and TV. Talk, smile, touch, or sing to your baby while you feed him.

What are the benefits of bottle feeding?

Bottle feeding makes it easy for you to know how much milk your baby is getting. You will be able to easily see how much milk your baby is drinking by looking at the bottle markings.

Other people can feed your baby, such as the father, friends, grandparents, or daycare provider. Some people feel that bottle feeding gives you more freedom and does not tie you down.

Older brothers and sisters can get to know the "new baby" by feeding him.

Bottle feeding helps you get more rest because others can help with nighttime feedings.

Unlike a breastfeeding mother, you can use whatever kind of birth control you choose.

You do not have to carefully watch your diet. Six weeks after delivery you can start to diet and exercise to lose weight.

You can bottle feed your baby anywhere. You do not have to worry about wearing the right piece of clothing to make it easier to feed your baby. You may wear whatever clothes you choose because you do not have to worry about getting your baby to the breast.

It may be more enjoyable having sex if you bottle feed. This is because you will not have sore nipples or leaky breasts. Hormone changes in the breastfeeding mother may cause the vagina to be dry and cause painful sex.

Why should I feed my baby cow's milk formula rather than cow's milk? Babies digest (break down) cow's milk formula easier than cow's milk. Cow's milk formula also has the right amounts of vitamins and minerals that babies need. Cow's milk has large amounts of certain vitamins and minerals which a baby's kidneys cannot handle. There is also not enough vitamin C in cow's milk to keep your baby's gums and teeth healthy. Cow's milk may cause certain kinds of allergies or other problems. Do not give your baby any cow's milk or other dairy products for the first 12 months.

Which formula should I feed my baby?

Baby formulas have the right amount of vitamins and minerals and give your baby a complete diet. How much time and money you have will help you decide which formula to buy. Talk to your caregiver to decide which formula is best for your baby.

Check the date the formula expires on the formula package. Do not use or buy formula whose date has expired. You should also not use dented or damaged formula containers.

What are the 3 basic kinds of formula?

Cow's milk formula: Most babies drink cow's milk formula. You can buy it with or without iron. Some babies do not have enough iron (called iron stores) in their bodies. Your baby's caregiver may suggest giving your baby formula with iron until he is 1 year. Formula with iron will cause your baby's BMs to be black because of the iron.

Soy formula

Soy formulas are easier for your baby to digest than cow's milk formula. The sugar in soy formula is easier for your baby to digest. Soy is the protein in soy formula. This protein is not quite as good as the protein found in cow's milk formula or breast milk.

You may need to feed your baby soy formula for a while if he has diarrhea (di-uh-ree-uh). Diarrhea means having loose or runny BMs. Or you may need to give your baby soy formula if he is allergic (uh-ler-jik) to cow's milk formula. But many babies who are allergic to cow's milk formula are also allergic to soy formula.

Most soy formulas have iron and cost about the same as cow's milk formula. Your baby may need to be on a soy formula for a week to many months. Caregivers will tell you when it is safe for your baby to drink cow's milk formula.

Other special formulas: Babies with diseases or health problems may need to drink special formula, such as premature babies. Special formulas cost more money than soy or cow's milk formula. These special formulas often do not have a good taste. Carefully follow the instructions on the package if you feed your baby a special formula.

In what form should I buy formula? Formula can be bought in the following forms.

Ready-to-eat formula. This formula can be poured from a can into a baby bottle. It is then ready for your baby to drink. Ready-to-eat formulas are easy to use but cost the most amount of money.

Formula that must be mixed with water. This liquid formula does not cost as much as ready-to-eat formula. It is very important that the right amount of water be added to this formula. Carefully follow the instructions on the package to mix the formula correctly.

Formula powder

This formula can be bought in cans or packets and is mixed with a certain amount of water. Formula powders cost the least amount of money. A measuring scoop comes in each can of formula powder. The packets have been measured with the right amount of formula in them. Formula powder is lightweight and can easily be taken with you.

It is very important that you follow the package instructions. Always use the correct amount of formula and water. Adding too little water makes the formula too strong. This may cause your baby to be constipated (kon-stih-pa-ted) which means it may be hard to have a BM. Your baby will not gain weight if you add too much water to the formula powder.

Can I make my own formula? Years ago mothers mixed exact amounts of evaporated (e-vap-uh-ra-ted) milk with corn syrup and boiled water. Talk to your baby's caregiver before you decide to make your own formula. Special instructions are needed to make this formula.

Can I try different formulas? Talk with your caregiver before trying different formulas. With time you will learn which formula your baby likes best. You will also learn if a formula upsets your baby's stomach (belly). Some formulas taste better than others to babies. Your baby may like the powder formula more than the liquid formula. Or he may like the liquid formula more than the powder formula.

Do I have to sterilize the equipment when making formula? No, you do not have to sterilize the equipment used to make formula. Make sure bottles, nipples, and anything else used to make the formula are very clean. Use your dishwasher to wash the bottles and formula-making equipment. Wash the tops of formula cans with soap and water before opening. Rinse and dry the top of the container. Shake the container well before opening if shaking is needed.

Does the prepared formula need to be put in the refrigerator? When you are done making the formula, pour it into bottles and store in the refrigerator (ree-frig-uh-ra-ter). Throw away unused formula that has been in the refrigerator for 24 hours.

Do I need to warm the formula?

Learn how your baby likes formula by giving him formula at different temperatures. Most babies enjoy drinking formula that has been warmed. You can warm the formula by putting the bottle in a pan of hot water. Running hot water over the bottle is another way of warming the formula.

Do not use a microwave oven to heat the formula. A microwave oven overheats the formula in the center of the bottle. Even if the formula feels good when you test it, the formula in the bottle's center may be very hot. The bottle may also explode if you leave it in the microwave oven too long. Always sprinkle a few drops of formula on the inside of your wrist to be sure it is not too hot for your baby. The temperature should be slightly warm and comfortable to your skin. It should not be hot.

Your baby may enjoy drinking cold formula in the summer.

Leftover formula that has not been refrigerated can grow germs and make your baby sick. Throw away leftover formula that your baby has not used.

What kind of bottles should I use? You can use glass, plastic, or plastic bottles with a plastic liner. Plastic-lined bottles are easy to use and keep your baby from swallowing too much air. But this kind of bottle also costs the most money. Do not use glass bottles when your baby is old enough to hold his bottle. The glass bottle may break and injure you, your baby, or someone else.

What kind of nipple should I use? Talk to your caregiver about what kind of nipple you should use to feed your baby. How fast or how slow the formula flows is because of the bottle cap or nipple. The bottle's cap may be screwed too tightly or too loosely onto the bottle. Or the nipple hole may be too small or too large.

Always check the size of the hole in the nipple. Turn the bottle upside down and give it a few quick shakes. This will show you if the formula is coming through the nipple at the right speed. The formula flow is OK if you get a little spray of formula and then a few drops. The formula is flowing too quickly if it pours or spurts out. It is flowing too slowly if only a drop or two comes out.

Your baby will give you clues about the formula flow if you watch him suck. He may choke or gulp if the nipple hole is too large. The formula flow is too fast if milk leaks out the corners of your baby's mouth. If the nipple hole is too small your baby may swallow a lot of air because he is sucking so hard. Your baby may be getting his formula too slowly if he is sucking very hard, stops sucking, or is fussy.

A nipple with 1 small hole may be good for feeding your baby water. But you may need a nipple with a larger hole or many holes to feed your baby formula. Carefully wash the nipples in hot soapy water and rinse after every feeding.

How much formula should I give my baby?

Newborn babies do not need much food. Do not worry if your baby does not drink much formula the first few days. During the first days, your baby may be full and fall asleep after taking only half an ounce of formula. But your baby may drink 2 to 3 ounces of formula each feeding. He may also eat every 3 to 4 hours. If your baby sleeps longer than 4 to 5 hours and is not awake for feedings, wake him up to feed.

How much formula your baby drinks may change from feeding to feeding and from day to day. The amount of formula your baby drinks also depends upon his weight, how fast he is growing, and how hungry he is. Your baby should take about 2 1/2 ounces of formula a day for every pound he weighs. For example, if your baby weighs 10 pounds, he may take 25 ounces of formula a day. Your baby should not drink more than 32 ounces (1 quart) of formula a day. Talk to your caregiver if your baby always wants to drink more or less than this amount every day.

Your baby may want to eat all the time one day and not want to eat much the next. Let your baby tell you when he has had enough formula. Do not expect your baby to empty the formula from the bottle at every feeding. If your baby falls asleep near the end of a feeding, do not wake him to finish the formula.

The following information will help you learn how much your baby should drink each day.

First 3 weeks. Your baby should get about 6 to 8 feedings a day during his first 3 weeks. He will drink about 2 to 3 ounces of formula each feeding. And he will probably want to eat about every 3 to 4 hours. Wake up your baby to feed him if he sleeps longer than 4 to 5 hours.

1 month. Your baby should get about 5 to 6 feedings every day. He will drink at least 4 ounces of formula each feeding. He will probably want to eat every 4 hours.

2 to 6 months. Your baby should get about 4 to 5 feedings every day. He will drink 4 to 6 ounces of formula each feeding.

6 to 12 months. Your baby should get about 3 to 4 feedings every day. He may drink up to 8 ounces of formula each feeding. You can increase the time between feedings if your baby is not hungry.

How do I hold my baby during feedings?

You may be more comfortable feeding your baby while sitting in a rocking chair or an armchair. Put a pillow under your arm for support. Gently wrap your arm around your baby's upper body and support his head with your arm. Raise up your baby's upper body a small amount.

You may need to encourage your baby to open his mouth to grasp the nipple. Do this by stroking the nipple against his cheek near his mouth. To prevent the swallowing of air hold the bottle so that the formula fills the bottle neck and covers the nipple.

Look into your baby's eyes and talk and smile to him during feedings. This will help him learn to look forward to feedings because feeding time is so special.

Do not prop a bottle in your baby's mouth. Propping a bottle in your baby's mouth is not safe because he could choke.

Do not let your baby lie down feeding himself with a bottle. This is very unsafe because your baby may choke and not have anyone to help him. Your baby is also at a higher risk of getting an ear infection if he is lying down while drinking milk or juice. If your baby is lying down during feedings, the liquid can flow into his middle ear and cause an infection.

Do not let your baby sleep with milk or juice in his bottle. If he falls asleep while feeding, milk or juice pools around his teeth. This may cause your baby's teeth to decay.

Do I need to burp my baby? Your baby swallows air during feedings which may cause him to be fussy. The air in his stomach makes him feel full before he is really done eating. Burp your baby after he drinks 2 to 3 ounces of formula even if he is not fussy. You should burp your baby more often if he seems to be unhappy or is spitting up the formula. Do not give up if you cannot get your baby to burp. Feed him a bit more formula and try to burp him again. You can try any of the following positions to burp your baby.

On your shoulder. Put a clean cloth on one of your shoulders to catch spit-up from your baby's burp. Hold your baby against your shoulder. Put one of your hands under your baby's bottom. Gently rub or pat his back with your other hand.

Sitting up. Sit the baby on your lap with his head leaning forward. Support his chest and head with your hand. Gently rub or pat his back with your other hand. Do not let your baby's head flop backward.

Face down on your lap. Protect your clothes by putting a cloth or towel on your lap. Put your baby face down on your lap. His head should rest on one leg while his stomach rests on the other leg. Gently rub or pat his back with your hand.

How long should each feeding take? Each feeding should take about 20 minutes. You may be giving your baby too much formula if the feedings are longer. Or the feeding may be taking longer if the nipple hole is too small or even plugged.

Should I have my baby on a certain feeding schedule? Your baby is like no other baby. The most important thing to keep in mind is that your baby has his own special needs. He will tell you when he wants to eat. And he will usually tell you how much he wants to eat. You will learn these things for yourself as you and your baby get to know each other. You can feed your baby on demand or on a schedule. Or you can have your baby on a semi-demand feeding schedule. The following information will help you decide what is best for you and your baby.

Demand feedings. This is when a baby is given formula every time he seems to want to be fed. A demand feeding schedule is a schedule that your baby sets based on his hunger.

Scheduled feedings. This is when a baby is fed at fixed times of the day and night, usually every 3 hours. A scheduled feeding schedule meets your needs as a parent because it is planned.

Semi-demand feedings. You may want to feed your baby his formula at certain times of the day. The rest of the day you may want your baby to let you know when he is ready to be fed.

Should I feed my baby formula every time he cries? Babies cry for many reasons. Often babies cry because they are hungry. You may be giving your baby too much formula if you feed him every time he cries. Your baby may be crying because he wants to be comforted or held. Or he may want his diaper changed or would like some water. Your baby may be bored and would like someone to talk and play with him. Try to comfort your baby first before feeding him.

What are signs that my baby may be allergic to the formula?

Acting fussy.

Crying after feeding.

Diarrhea or constipation. Diarrhea means having loose BMs while constipation means it is hard to have a BM.

Many ear infections or colds.

Red rash on face or around anus (rear end). The rash may feel rough when you touch it.

Stomach may feel full, tight, or painful after feeding.

Vomiting (throwing up) after almost every feeding.

Wakes up often during the night.

How do I know if my baby is getting enough formula? The following are signs that your baby may not be getting enough formula.

Not gaining enough weight.

Not passing very much urine.

Crying much of the time.

Skin may look loose or wrinkly.

How do I know if my baby is getting too much formula? The following are signs that your baby may be getting too much formula. You may want to decrease how much formula you give your baby and feed him more often. Burp your baby 1 to 2 times during each feeding. Sometimes you may also want to try to give your baby water instead of formula.

Gaining too much weight.

Spitting up a lot of vomiting (throwing up) right after eating.

Belly pain right after eating. Your baby may pull his legs onto his belly because he is having belly pain.

Should I give my baby water? Your baby is getting all the water he needs from his formula. You may want to give your baby water during hot weather or if he is sick or has a fever. Do not force your baby to drink the water if he does not want to drink it.

Does my baby need fluoride (flor-ide) for his teeth? Fluoride is a chemical that prevents tooth decay. Babies get some fluoride in formula. Talk to your caregiver to find out if your baby needs extra fluoride.

Call your caregiver if:

Your baby has a temperature of 100.4 degrees F (38 degrees C) or more.

You have questions or concerns about your baby's formula or how to prepare it.

Your baby has one or more of the following signs which may mean he has a problem with the formula.

A red, rough rash, usually on the face or around the anus (rear end opening).

Cries after feedings.

Vomits (throws up) after nearly every feeding.

A distended (swollen) and tight abdomen (belly) after feedings.

Fussy and wakes up often during the night.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your baby's care. To help with this plan you must learn about bottle feeding. You can then discuss your baby's other feeding options with your caregiver. Work with your caregiver to decide if you should breast feed or bottle feed your baby.

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