Parent and Baby

Breastfeeding is one of the joys of motherhood. To experience that a little life is totally depending on you for nourishment and growth is one of a kind feeling. For most mothers who have successfully breast feed their babies, weaning time can also be a period of loss but also a period of freedom. Period of loss because of the opportunity to nourish their babies from thier own body; period of freedom because you do not have to be at the beck and call of your baby whenever he wants to be feed. Whatever the reason for weaning your baby, you still can experience the joy of feeding your baby by doing the correct formula feeding procedure. Here are some guides for a successful and enjoyable formula feeding.

Whatever your reason for weaning your baby, do not make the switch from breastfeeding to formula feeding sudden. Your baby may not take to formula feeding at once and so patience is the key. Introduce the bottle gradually and make the baby familiar and comfortable with the bottle. If your baby is already taking solid foods upon weaning, then he may take to the bottle more quickly specially if you are using a bottle to let your baby drink water. If your baby is not taking solid foods yet, then acquaint your baby with a bottle slowly. Try to feed him bottle milk when he is not very hungry. You may smear breastmilk on the nipple and hope that your baby will be tricked. Avoid forcing a bottle on a hungry baby, he may be traumatized. If you are going away, pump and store as much breast milk as you can. Refrigerate the milk and make sure that the breast milk will be feed to your baby first.

When deciding which formula is best for your baby, consult your baby’s pediatrician so that he can recommend a good brand. Be aware that formula milk may cause allergies in infants so watch out for any signs of allergy like not feeling well, no appetite and diarrhea. Consult your doctor immediately so that he can recommend another brand or diagnose that your baby is lactose-intolerant. In this case you will need a lacto-free formula.

Follow the proper steps in mixing your baby’s formula. Read also the storage instructions. Make sure that the nipples, bottles, bottle caps and other formula feeding paraphernalia have been sterilized. Check bottles and nipples for cracks and replace them immediately. Check also that the hole in the nipple is appropriate for your baby’s needs. Check the milk flow. If your baby does not complete the feeding, do not store the remaining formula. Make sure that your baby does not fall asleep with a bottle in his mouth. Hold your baby the way you hold him when you’re breastfeeding him. Do not leave your baby unattended while he is feeding, he might choke.