A Quick Guide To Bottle
Feeding isnât just about nutrition â itâs a chance for social interaction and bonding. Sit comfortably and make eye contact. Enjoy these moments of closeness with your baby.
Just because youâre bottle-feeding, doesnât mean you and your baby have to miss out on plenty of skin-to-skin contact. Holding your little one close against your skin is not only good for bonding, it also has a calming effect and helps regulate your babyâs breathing and body temperature.
Hereâs a brief guide to bottle-feeding your baby:
-
Hold your baby upright in a comfortable, neutral position. Your infant shouldnât need to tilt or turn the head to reach the bottle
-
Hold the bottle almost horizontal to the ground, tilted just enough to fill the teat with the formula
-
Brush your babyâs lips with the teat, and your child will usually open his or her mouth wide and put out his or her tongue
-
Help your baby to draw the teat into his or her mouth
-
Pace the feed by pausing occasionally to see if your baby is still hungry
How To Formula Feed
- After preparing a bottle and testing its temperature, you are ready to give your baby a bottle.
- Feed every two to four hours. Start with one ounce at each feeding. Gradually increase this amount as your baby’s appetite grows.
- Make sure your baby’s tongue is under the nipple and the baby has more than the tip of the nipple in their mouth.
- Tip the bottle far enough for the formula to fill the nipple and the neck of the bottle.
- Burp your baby after one ounce, or halfway through the feeding for older babies. How often your baby needs to burp depends on how much air was swallowed and how fast your baby drinks. Learn more about burping.
- Expect your baby’s appetite to vary from feeding to feeding. Some days your baby may drink a little more formula, other days less.
- Don’t try to coax your baby to finish a bottle. Follow your baby’s appetite.
- Throw out any formula that remains after a feeding. Don’t try to save it for the next feeding.
- Never prop a bottle or leave your baby alone to feed. This is dangerous and can cause choking, ear infections and tooth decay.
Whats The Ideal Time To Replace Formula
The ideal time to start replacing formula is about 6 months when you begin to introduce them to solid foods. But since there arent a whole lot of solid foods that they would like eating, they wont get all the nutrition needed, so its important to keep them on the formula until they are about a year old. Youll begin to notice a drop in their formula intake from 900 ml a day to about 600 ml as you begin to feed them more solids. After a year, babies only need about 350 ml milk a day which can either be formula, breastmilk or high fat cow milk. If they have been raised mostly on formula, and are fully established on solids, start decreasing the formula incrementally.
Formula feeding for babies is a healthy alternative to breastfeeding. It provides almost all beneficial nutrients for the baby to grow. Hence, its important to know how much formula milk is adequate for your baby, so that the baby doesnt miss out on important nutrition.
Don’t Miss: How To Get Rid Of Newborn Gas Pains
How Much Formula Should You Feed Your Baby By Age
Your cutie will be taking in more formula at each feeding, anywhere from 3 to 7 ounces, depending on her age. Her stomach capacity has increased, too, which means shell likely stretch out the time between feedings.
In general, heres what you can expect:
- 2-month-olds will usually drink 3 to 6 ounces of formula every three to four hours. That adds up to 18 to 32 ounces of formula in around eight feedings total in a 24-hour period.
- 3-month-olds will generally drink 4 to 6 ounces of formula around every four hours. That adds up to 24 to 36 ounces of formula in around six feedings total in a 24-hour period.
- 4-month-olds will often drink 5 to 7 ounces of formula every four to five hours. That adds up to 24 to 32 ounces of formula in four to six feedings total in a 24-hour period.
- 5-month-olds will typically drink 6 to 8 ounces of formula around five times per day. That adds up to 24 to 36 ounces of formula total in a 24-hour period.
- 6-month-olds will usually drink 6 to 8 ounces of formula four to five times per day. That adds up to 24 to 32 ounces of formula total in a 24-hour period.
Have a serious sipper who consistently seems to want more than that? Discuss it with your doctor. The upper daily intake formula intake for babies 6 months and younger is 32 to 36 ounces per 24-hour period, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics .
Dont Miss: Which Baby Bottles Are The Best For Newborns
Can A Baby Eat Too Much Formula
Healthy babies, when allowed to drink to their appetites without any prodding by parents, will grow at the rate that’s normal for them. If your little one’s weight is increasing at a steady clip and following a familiar curve, there’s no need to worry that she’s overeating. But if your baby’s bottle becomes the liquid equivalent of an all-you-can-eat buffet, there’s a chance she can easily get too much.
Here are signs to look for that may indicate your baby is taking in more formula than she needs:
- Frequent spit-ups. Overfeeding can lead to overflow in the form of excessive spit-up. Put too much in her little tummy, and it’s bound to come back up.
- Excessive weight gain. If your baby’s weight seems to be consistently moving upward faster than her height, check with the doctor. She may be picking up too many pounds too quickly because she’s taking in too much formula.
If your pediatrician tells you that your baby seems to be overeating, there are a few things you can do to slow down her formula intake :
From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You’re Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.
Don’t Miss: How Many Pounds For Newborn Diapers
How To Mix Whole Milk With Formula
Mix whole milk in your babys formula over a period of few days, increasing the ratios each day or every few days, depending how your baby responds to the whole milk. For example, you can start the transition by giving her 6 ounces of formula with 2 ounces of whole milk.
Amount Of Formula As Per Babys Requirement
A babys formula milk consumption not only depends on the weight but also the age. As they grow older their nutritional and calorie needs go higher and they eat more. During the first few weeks they might drink an average of around 70 ml of formula in one feed. Between the first 2 weeks and 2 months they would consume around 75-105 ml in each feed that would add up to a total ranging between 450 ml and 735 ml in 1 day. When they are about 2-6 months old, they would consume between 105 ml and 210 ml of infant milk formula in a feed.
The formula milk for a 6-month baby totals around 900 ml a day and they would want between 210 ml and 240 ml at each feed. Also, by this time, most babies would be introduced to solid foods and their intake of formula would gradually drop down to around 600 ml a day.
Also Check: Why Do Newborns Cry So Much
Enjoy Mealtimes With Your Baby
Mealtimes are a time to be together and communicate. Just as adults and children enjoy talking with each other at mealtimes, so do babies. Hold your baby close to your body, facing you, when feeding. This should be an enjoyable and social experience for you both.Take the bottle away as soon as your baby has had enough.Do not put your baby to bed with a bottle, to feed alone. This is dangerous because your baby may choke. Also, older children who are regularly fed this way are more likely to get middle-ear infections and tooth decay.
Is 100 Ml Too Much For A Newborn
It is best to provide your newborn with bottles of two to three ounces in the first few weeks of his or her life. If your baby requires more or less, try to give him or her more or less. A newborn baby typically drinks 1.5 to 3 ounces of liquid every 2 to 3 hours, according to a general rule of thumb.
Most babies can be breastfed for about 12-16 months, but some can be breastfed for two years or more. During the first few months of a childs life, he or she is expected to consume approximately 8 ounces of milk per day. They are unlikely to drink more than 4 ounces of liquid per day as they gain more independence during breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is the best way to provide your baby with the nutrients and antibodies he requires. It not only helps to reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, and some cancers, but it also lowers blood sugar levels. What are the recommended milk and milk substitute for a breastfed baby? In studies on this topic, they were found to consume up to 54 ml or up to 234 ml of milk per feed. Mothers frequently believe their baby has had a good diet, but when they discover he only has a small amount of milk, they are perplexed. In the first week, the average full-term baby takes no more than 1 to 2 ounces of liquid per feeding. Because of its small size, a newborns stomach cannot expand. Between 4 and 5 weeks of age, babies reach their peak feeding volume of about 3 to 4 ounces and their peak daily milk intake of about 30 ounces per day.
Don’t Miss: How To Add Newborn To Medicaid Illinois
How Often Do Newborns Eat
Your newborn will nurse about 8 to 12 times per day during the first weeks of life. In the beginning, mothers may want to try nursing 1015 minutes on each breast, then adjust the time as necessary.
Breastfeeding should be on demand , which is generally every 13 hours. As newborns get older, theyll nurse less often and have longer stretches between feedings. Newborn babies who are getting formula will likely take about 23 ounces every 24 hours. Newborns should not go more than about 45 hours without feeding.
Signs that babies are hungry include:
- moving their heads from side to side
- opening their mouths
- placing their hands and fists to their mouths
- puckering their lips as if to suck
- nuzzling again their mothers breasts
A feeding schedule is not necessary you and your baby will eventually establish your routine. Babies know when theyre hungry and when theyve had enough. Watch for signs that your baby is full and stop the feeding when these signs appear.
As babies grow, they begin to eat more at each feeding and can go longer between feedings. There may be other times when your infant seems hungrier than usual. Continue to nurse or feed on demand. Nursing mothers need not worry breastfeeding stimulates milk production and your supply of breast milk will adjust to your babys demand for it.
Recommended Reading: How To Get More Breast Milk For Newborn Baby
Benefits Of Formula Feeding
Commercially prepared infant formula is a nutritious alternative to breast milk. Bottle feeding can offer more freedom and flexibility for moms, and make it easier to know how much the baby is getting.
Because babies digest formula more slowly than breast milk, a baby who is getting formula may need fewer feedings than one who breastfeeds. Formula feeding also can make it easier to feed the baby in public, and lets the father and other family members help feed the baby, which can enhance bonding.
Read Also: Why Do Newborn Babies Get Acne
Is My Baby Eating Enough
At times, you may wonder whether your baby is getting enough nutrients for healthy growth and development. Babies who get enough to eat seem satisfied after eating and are regularly peeing and pooping.
At your babys checkups, the doctor will review your babys growth chart, track your little ones development, and answer any questions. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about your babys feeding and nutrition.
Thinking About Feeding Your Baby
When youre pregnant, its good to think about how you want to feed your baby once they’re born.
For some mums there are many things to consider, like your cultural beliefs, personal circumstances, and your own physical and mental wellbeing.
Talk to your partner, family/whnau, and your midwife or maternity carer about it, and have a plan so they know how they can help you
If you want to breastfeed and youre having trouble, call PlunketLine any time on .
Read Also: What To Do With A Newborn
How To Choose Bottles And Nipples
You will find many kinds of bottles and nipples at the store. Try several kinds and see what you and your baby like best.
Bottles are made of glass or plastic. When choosing a bottle, consider:
- Glass bottles last longer but may become a problem when a child is old enough to drop or throw one.
- When choosing or reusing plastic bottles:
- Choose bottles that are made from non-polycarbonate plastic.
- Look for plastics that have the numbers 1, 2 or 5 in the recycling triangle.
- Look for plastics that are labeled BPA-free. Studies are suggesting that a potentially harmful chemical has been found in clear polycarbonate plastic. This is hard plastic that is usually clear.
Nipples come in several shapes and sizes. They can be made of silicon or latex. Consider the following:
What Is Formula Milk
Formula milk, also known as infant formula or sometimes just âformulaâ, is a substitute for breast milk that can be used either as an alternative to breastfeeding, or as a way of supplementing it.Formula is usually made from cowâs milk, which is specially processed to make it suitable for babies to drink. Remember: Children under 1 year old canât digest unprocessed cowâs milk.Formula milk contains all the nutrients your baby needs to grow and develop, but it does lack some of the additional health benefits of breast milk, such as protection from infection.How you decide to feed your little one is a personal choice that depends on many factors unique to you. If you do plan to use formula, however, you still might want to express your first milk â known as colostrum â and feed this to your baby for the first few days before introducing the formula.Colostrum is not only packed full of nutrients it has lots of other health benefits â such as boosting your babyâs immune system, improving digestion and helping regulate blood sugar.
Recommended Reading: How To Prevent Flat Head Newborn
How Much Formula Milk Does My Weaning Baby Need
From around six months, it could be time to start introducing solids alongside your little ones regular milk. This is called weaning, and theres going be a lot of messy fun from here on in!
If your baby is ready to start eating a variety of purees and finger foods you still need to give your baby their regular milk. At the beginning your little one is more likely to get their solid foods all over you than in their little mouths, so its recommended you give them the same amount of milk feeds as before. As your little one begins to eat more solid foods, they will start to need less bottle-feeding. Babies should naturally and gradually reduce the amount of milk they want themselves, as they build on their diet of solid foods.
Signs Of Healthy Formula Intake
There are numerous ways to judge whether your baby is getting the right amount of formula. Perhaps the most important is to note your babys mood after a feed they should be feeling relaxed, content, and happy.
Keeping track of diaper changes is also a very effective way to monitor your babys formula intake. As a general rule, formula-fed babies will need five or six diaper changes per day .
Don’t Miss: How To Get Newborn To Sleep On Back
How Do I Prepare Formula
Formula comes in three basic forms:
- powders that require mixing with water and cost the least
- concentrates, which are liquids that require diluting with water
- ready-to-use liquids that can be poured right into bottles. These are the most expensive but are convenient if you’re traveling or can’t get to a clean water supply.
Carefully follow directions on the label when preparing formula. Do not add more water than directed.
Whatever formula you choose, check the expiration date on all cans and bottles of formula, and don’t use formula from leaky, dented, or otherwise damaged containers. Do not water-down formula this is dangerous, as it reduces the amount of nutrients in each bottle.