Newborn or Infant
Breastfeeding is always best for baby. However, if you are not able to breastfeed or choose not to then you must learn the steps and process required for correct formula feeding.
There are numerous reason why you may not be able to breastfeed your newborn or infant. These have to do as much with your baby as they do with your own body. You shouldn’t feel guilty or inadequate as a mum as a result of switching to formula feeding.
However, it is always best to consult with your doctor or nurse before you start feeding your little one using a bottle.
What Do You Require for Formula Feeding?
Following is a list of things that you will need for formula feeding your baby:
Feeding Bottle.
Keep in mind that you will need to keep changing the size of the bottle as your baby grows.
Teat.
This also includes a cap, collar and sealing disc. Like bottles, you will need to change teats as your child gets older and its feeding needs change.
Kitchen tongs.
These are needed for handling all of the required equipment. They also need to be sterilised prior to use.
Sterilizer.
Sterilising can include boiling bottles in a pot as well as special equipment that you can purchase for this purpose. These include electric and microwave steam sterilizers. You can also buy sterilizing tablets or a solution.
Kettle or pan.
This is required for boiling water.
Jug.
This is required for measuring the amount of water required. It is preferable to use one with measuring markets.
How to Bottle Feed Your Baby With Powdered Formula
There a number of steps that you need to go through to ensure that formula is prepared properly.
Make up your baby’s feeds according to the instructions on the pack. The main points you need to remember are:
Make up your baby’s feeds according to the instructions on the pack. The main points you need to remember are:
- Thoroughly clean your hands as well as the general area that you’ll use for preparing the formula.
- Sterilize all equipment that you use during formula preparation and feeding. This can be done by boiling the bottle, teats and caps in a pan or by using approved sterilising equipment.
- For five minutes, you need to boil fresh water in a kettle or pan and then wait for it to cool down until it is lukewarm.
- Measure and pour the appropriate amount of boiled water into a bottle or a mixing jug. This must be done before you add any formula.
- Carefully check the instructions on the back of the pack for your chosen infant formula and follow these carefully. It is crucial to get the amount of formula right as adding too little or too much formula can potentially be harmful to your baby.
- Add the correct number of scoops into the bottle or mixing jug that already contains your cooled down water. When scooping the powder, use a sterilised knife to level off any excess formula. If using formula in sachets, just cut the sachet with sterilised scissors or tear it open and and add the powder into the bottle.
- Once you have put the teat and cap on the bottle, keep shaking it until the powder has dissolved evenly.
- Make sure the temperature of the milk is warm. If it feels too hot then you can cool the bottle by placing it under the tap with running cold water.
- Feed your baby immediately as soon as the mix is ready. The danger of leaving a feed for later is that this increases the chances of bacteria growth developing that can harm your baby.
What is the Right Amount of Formula for Your Baby?
Follow the instructions that the infant formula manufacturer has specified on the container. Be very careful about not exceeding the suggested quantities as this may lead to your baby becoming overweight.
It always pays to discuss feeding quantities with your family doctor or nurse.
- Make sure to carefully observe your baby while it is bottle-feeding and never leave it unattended during the process. Preferably, hold your child while its feeding as this will prevent a number of potential problems from occurring.
- Similarly, make sure your baby don’t fall asleep while bottle-feeding as this can harm their teeth.
- Don’t add anything else to the formula mix or to the feeding bottle.
- It is best to not heat the bottle in a microwave as the as the heat may end up being unevenly distributed in the bottle. This could be dangerous as such milk can burn your baby’s throat.
- Never use expired formula and keep a close eye on the expiration date to ensure that any formula you use is always fresh.
- Never reheat feeds that have been used previously. Dispose of feed that has not been consumed within a couple of hours if kept at room temperature.
- Formula that you’ve prepared can be kept in the fridge but for no longer than four hours.
- Dispose of any feed that has been refrigerated and not consumed within a 24-hour period.
- You can warm formula from the fridge by using a bottle warmer or putting it in a jug or pan filled with hot water.
Bottle Feeding With Goat Milk Formula
Did you know that goat milk is a good alternative to a cow milk?
If you’ve never considered a goat milk-based formula then find out about the many benefits that it can offer your little one.