Introducing a bottle to your baby🍼, whether breastfeeding or formula-feeding, requires learning and practice! Forget the misleading images of effortless bottle-feeding. We're here to support you💕!
Steps to bottle-feed your baby
✨Prepare the bottle
Follow the formula instructions carefully and choose a warming method like warm water or a bottle warmer. Remember, avoid microwaving to prevent hot spots♨️. Freshly pumped breast milk doesn't need warming, but if it's from the fridge or freezer, gently heat it.
✨Test the bottle
Give those bottles filled with formula a friendly shake to ensure everything is well mixed. For the precious bottles filled with breast milk, give them a gentle swirl🌀 to blend it all together. Now comes the moment of truth: testing the temperature. Trust your inner wrist as a reliable thermometer by placing a few drops of the liquid on it. If it feels comfortably warm, you're all set and ready to go!
✨Get into a bottle-feeding position.
Get cozy and enjoy special bonding moments while feeding your baby. Find a comfortable position with proper head support, and use a pillow for added comfort👩🍼. Remember to tilt the bottle for a slower flow, allowing your baby to control their intake and prevent discomfort. Take a break halfway through to switch sides and give your arm a rest.
✨Do a nipple check
Pay attention to your baby's cues and reactions while feeding👶. Look for gulping or sputtering sounds and milk dribbling from the corners of the mouth, which may indicate a fast flow. If your baby seems frustrated or struggles while sucking, the flow may be too slow. In these cases, loosen the cap slightly or switch to a nipple with a more suitable flow rate.
Bottle-feeding problems and solutions!
✔️Your baby gets fussy or turns away during feeding
It could be gas in her tummy, so try burping her to bring those bubbles up🫧. You can also take a break in the middle of the feeding for a little burping session.
✔️Your baby falls asleep while feeding
Sometimes babies get so cozy and content while sucking that they drift off to dreamland😴. If that happens, gently wake her up to finish the meal. You can try undressing her a bit, tickling her feet, or changing her diaper to keep her awake.
✔️Your baby doesn't like the bottle or nipple
It's possible that the flow of the formula is too fast or too slow for her liking. Don't worry😉, you can experiment with different nipple options and angled neck bottles to find the perfect fit.
✔️Your baby has a stuffy nose
A congested nose👃 can make it difficult for your little one to suck properly. To help her out, use a cool-mist humidifier and saline drops to clear the mucus. Keep offering the bottle as usual, and she'll catch up on those missed meals once she feels better.
✔️Your baby seems uncomfortable after feeding
If your baby shows signs of intolerance or allergy to cow's milk protein, such as crying, wheezing, or digestive issues, it might be worth discussing with her pediatrician👨⚕️. They can guide you on switching formulas to find one that suits her better.