Bottle Feeding Your Baby

by Baby on February 6, 2010

Even though she will miss out on the abundance of antibodies and protein in your colostrum and breast milk, if you’ve made the decision to bottle feed your new baby from the very beginning, all baby formula has been manufactured to suit an infant’s needs. The milk used will have been extremely processed in order to become more readily digestible by your infant, as well as infused with the necessary vitamins and minerals.

Whether it be for medical reasons or financial reasons, many women cannot breastfeed their infant, and many feel guilty about missing out on the closeness involved in the practice. Thankfully, there are plenty of other ways to establish and nurture this great bond, even with bottle feeding.

Aside from medical and financial fears, there are a few other view points to be had by pro-bottle mothers. Whatever the reason, every viewpoint deserves some respect, as they are real mental hurdles for each woman to conquer. Sometimes, with some gentle words and a small amount of support, many of these women may very well reconsider their decision. But for many women, there is no alternative option.

If breast feeding is not for you, talk to your doctor about choosing the best formula for bottle feeding your baby. Once you have made your decision, be sure to follow the directions on the box EXACTLY. Some mother’s assume that using less water will produce a stronger, better mixture for their baby. This is not the case. A baby’s kidneys are not fully developed, and thus cannot bear the burden of too much salts and proteins. That being said, don’t use more water than instructed either. Doing so would cause your baby to fill up before getting the necessary amount of nutrients needed. Trust the experts and follow the instructions on the box.

If you’re concerned about what water to use, and you don’t trust your local water supply, you have these options:

1- Buy sterilized water from your local market|the store.
2- Boil your tap water (if contains no known contaminants) for around five minutes. Let it cool down before mixing it with formula so you don’t destroy the nutrients found in it.

If you need to reheat your child’s formula, put the bottle in a bowl of hot water or a pan of water and heat it on the stove. Don’t allow it to boil, and never ever use the microwave. Too much heat will destroy the critical nutrients needed for your baby’s proper growth and development. Test the temperature of the formula on the inside of your wrist before feeding it to your baby. Make sure it is at a warm and comfortable temperature, and not hot at all.

As for your baby’s feeding gear|items, there is no big need to boil them (bottles, nipples etc), so long as you wash them in hot and soapy water, and be sure to rinse them very well.

Gain realistic advice about how to be a good parent – make sure to read the web page. The times have come when proper info is really at your fingertips, use this chance.

Leave a Comment