Bottle feeding a newborn can be challenging initially. You need to pay attention to a whole lot of factors ranging from hygiene to holding the baby correctly to bottle feed. Breast milk is the best for babies. However, in certain situations it is not possible to breastfeed the babies. In this case bottle feeding is preferred by most parents. Read on to find basic tips on bottle feeding.
Bottle Feeding Basics
Here are some basic tips for bottle feeding an infant.
Purchasing a Good Feeding Bottle Purchase a good quality bottle and nipple for your baby. To begin with, buy one bottle only. While buying the bottle check that it is BPA (Bisphenol-A) free and meets all the quality standards prescribed for an infant’s bottle.
Selecting a Nipple Select a medium sized nipple which does not have a large hole. The idea here is to ensure that you baby is able to suck easily from the nipple without swallowing the feed.
Preparing Formula Milk While making use of formula-feed make sure to check the manufacturing and expiry date before purchasing. It is best to give lukewarm milk to your newborn. Always check the temperature of the milk by dropping some in your hand before feeding the baby.
While making use of formula feed it is essential to follow the prescribed measurement instructions specified by the manufacturer. Ensure to mix the powder and water in the proportion mentioned on the tin or carton of formula powder.
Position for Bottle Feeding Baby
To bottle feed your baby you must sit in a comfortable place and hold the baby on your lap. Make sure to give adequate support to your baby’s head. Hold the baby in such a way that her head level is above her stomach. You must never feed an infant who is less than six months of age in a sleeping position.
Bottle feeding time is an excellent time for the mother and child to bond. You must keep talking to your infant while feeding her. Stay relaxed and patient while feeding your baby. Do not feed her in a hurry. Initially you may have to experiment a little to figure out which position your baby likes to be fed in. In case you notice any signs of discomfort in your newborn while feeding change to a different position.
How to get Your Baby used to Bottle Feeding?
Mother’s milk is the best feed for an infant. Hence it is recommended that a newborn be breast fed for at least six months after birth. When a baby is habituated with mother’s milk, initially they resist formula feeding. To ensure a smooth transition from
breastfeeding to
bottle feeding it might be useful for you to start by bottle feeding your expressed milk. Since the taste of the milk being fed from the bottle would be familiar to your baby she will take to bottle feeding easily.
Another thing to bear in mind is that you must start bottle feeding your newborn before she understands the difference between the mother’s milk and bottle feed. This is because once she is old enough to understand the difference she will simply reject the bottle. Along with breastfeeding it is advisable to introduce your infant to bottle feed after six months. As your child grows older she will be able to distinguish between the two and may reject formula feed.
Do not stop breastfeeding your baby all at once. Start by giving breast milk 2-3 times a day and give bottle feed only 3-4 times a week initially. Bottle feeding should be done to supplement your newborn’s requirements preferably during day time.
How to choose the right feeding bottle for a baby? Which is the best feeding position for the baby? How to make transition from breastfeeding to bottle feeding easy? Discuss here. 
