Bottle Feeding Issues

Bottle Feeding Issues

Making the most of bottle feeding

Whilst everybody agrees that breast feeding is the ideal, some mothers choose not to or are unable to do so for a variety of reasons.

They may feel upset and anxious that they are missing out on the bonding experience breast feeding offers and need reassurance that they can still enjoy a similar closeness when bottle feeding.

Every baby is different, but here are a few general tips that can help whoever is feeding them to get the most out of the experience, whether it be mum, dad or grandparents.

Relaxed and not too rigid

During the first few weeks, most babies demand frequent and irregular feeds and parents shouldn’t worry about sticking to a rigid schedule. Encourage them to feed their baby when their child is hungry and gradually they should find that they fall into a routine.

Maximum Comfort

The most important thing is to get parents to relax and make the whole experience as comfortable as possible by:

Making sure their baby is clean and dry before starting to feed – changing a nappy mid-feed or when baby’s fallen asleep after the feed is the last thing they’ll want to be doing.
Choosing a chair that supports their back and putting a pillow under their arm to support new or small babies.
Having a table nearby on which to rest the bottle, have tissues etc handy.

Useful Feeding Techniques For Bottle-Fed Babies

The right technique can make a real difference to both baby and whoever is feeding the baby. Some of these include:

Making sure that the bottle is always tilted so that the teat and neck are always full of milk.
Getting the right sized teat because this determines speed of milk flow and whether the baby is getting too much too quickly or having to work hard. Suggest that parents start off with a medium flow teat and see how things go before investing in a selection of sizes.
If the baby begins to cry soon after a bottle feed, it may be thirst rather than unsatisfied hunger, so before trying more milk, parents should try a little water, breast-fed babies don't need additional drinks of water as breast milk supplies food and drink in one (water should be boiled and cooled until the baby is 6 months old).

The importance of hygiene when feeding a baby

Another main issue when bottle feeding is the importance of good hygiene. Because newborn and young babies are susceptible to infections, and milk, even the smallest residue, is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria that can cause stomach upsets, sickness and diarrhoea, parents need to know how careful they should be.

For example:

Everything that comes into contact with the baby’s milk or mouth should be thoroughly cleansed and rinsed.
All items should be sterilised up until the baby is 6 months old.
Bottles should be sterilised for as long as the baby bottle feeds.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Breast feeding is best for babies. Infant milks are intended to replace breast milk when mothers do not breast feed. Good maternal nutrition is important for the preparation and maintenance of breast feeding. Introducing partial bottle feeding may have a negative effect on breast feeding and reversing a decision not to breast feed is difficult. You should always seek the advice of a doctor, midwife, health visitor, public health nurse, dietitian or pharmacist on the need for and proper method of use of infant milks and on all matters of infant feeding. Infant milk should always be prepared and used as directed. Unnecessary or improper use of infant milk may present a health hazard. Social and financial implications should be considered when selecting a method of infant feeding.

This information is intended for use only by residents of the UK and ROI