Hi all,
i have been exclusively breast feeding till this date now i want to start formula to him i have been trying to give him formula from last one 1-2 mths from sipper but he is not ready to take it much .i want to start giving it thru bottle so pls.(1)... let me know which bottle is the best for bottle feeding.What all features should i look for buying a bottle.
also pls.(2) let me know how long can i store formula and how do u guys manage night time feeds i mean if the baby gets up 4,5 times at night do u prepare formula at the same time or u store it and keep.
I will be very thankful if any one of u can give me suggestions on this as i'm new to bottle feeding.pls. do reply asap
Thanks
shweta ck replied. Hi Shweta,

Why do you want to start formula now? After exclusively bf for 9 months, baby won't accept formula or bottle. If you have enough milk, just pump and feed in bottle/sippy cup(somebody else should feed it in your absence). One of my friend had the same problem, she gives whole milk in sippy cup. Try that option.

For night time I feed formula only once if she wakes up and cries of hunger. Even if she wakes up and cries 4-5 times just pat and put back to sleep. Keep warm water ready, mix powder and feed. You can keep prepared bottles in fridge, microwave it and give too. Get her used to bottle or cup first, then worry abt night feeds. Remember somebody else(may be dad) shd give bottle in your absence.

Best Wishes,
CK sumana replied. I use avent bottle for Divya. Almost from her birth she has been supplemented with Enfamil atleast 1 feed a day. From the time she was 3.5 months, she was on formula alone. She wakes up once at night or not at all. I just fill up a flask of hot boiling water and keep it ready when she feels hungry. She likes the milk warm so i mix formula along with the hot water cool it to luke warm and feed her at night. As mentioned on the box, i do not use the formula after an hour of preparartion. Hope it helps
Sumana rg replied. Shweta, if your baby is taking milk (even if little bit)from sipper then i'd suggest stick to it coz at this stage if they get used to bottle it'll be very difficult to get rid of it later. I myself am trying to give 1 feed to tanya from sipper instead of bottle,in the beginning they do take a loooot of time but will eventually get used to it.
In any case, here's my opinion of bottles:-
I used ventaire bottles from Playtex as they don't cause much gas problem for the babies...at this stage if you choose these you shd buy the 8-9 ounce bottle. Another good one that my friends use is Dr.Braun bottles.
-If you plan to give ready to feed formula then u can just put the amount needed directly into the bottle & refrigerate the remaining bottle(similac has such formula)& you have to use the whole bottle within 3 days of opening,if you plan to use the powder form then just boil some water in the morning & keep it aside & as needed pour the water in the bottle & mix the powdered formula in this water,warm it a little in the bottle warmer & check the temperature & feed the baby. Don't use microwave for warming water as it might get too hot.
For night feedings baby will not get up 4-5 times if you give formula coz that keeps their stomach filled up longer, so at the max he'll get up just once at night & for that i keep boiled water ready in the bottle so i just need to get up & put formula in the water & warm it & give...takes just about 5 mins. I have never used left over formula, i always throw it & since i know how much exactly tanya takes i never end up making more than needed or wasting it.

Thats all, its quite easy actually.....hope u have an easy time too bottle feeding!
vk replied. Shweta,
I introduced the bottle to Misha when she was barely 2 months old. She took to the VentAir bottles from Playtex. SHe has been on Enfamil all along. Since she was young, she didn't resist much. She still wakes up once or twice in the night. I keep warm water in a flask by my bed side and I mix formula when she cries. I also save the unused formula in a fridge for a later feed.

-vk