There are many benefits to breastfeeding your baby. However, research has shown that not every mother can produce enough breast milk to feed their babies adequately. There is no need to feel bad because it is a fact that babies need lots of milk in the early stages of their life. Fortunately, there is the option of bottle feeding your baby. This is also perfect for mothers who choose not to breastfeed their children from the get-go. Bear in mind that there are several specific steps that have to be followed when bottle feeding your baby. Below is the description of these steps. Once you have mastered them, you will be more well-equipped to take care of your child and even have the confidence to place them in an infant care center.
The Size of the Bottle Nipple
It is important to note that in order to choose the appropriate size for the milk bottle nipple, you have to consider the age of your child. Simply put, the older your child, the faster they can drink. Thus, common sense tells us that infants will need to drink from slow flowing milk bottle nipples, whilst older children can use bottle nipples that allow for a faster flow of milk. There also several shapes of bottle nipples that you should choose after observation of what your child likes the most. This task is not as difficult as it sounds because chances are that your child would most likely reject a bottle that has a bottle nipple that isn’t suitable for him or her. The bottom line is that you need to experiment on different bottle nipples and observe your child’s reactions.
The Perfect Milk Bottle
As a new parent who is navigating the complicated world of child care, it is a good idea to purchase a few different milk bottles so that you can tell which one your baby prefers the most. However, this is highly dependent on the health conditions of your child as well. For example, if your baby has colic, they will most likely require a special bottle that can help to reduce the symptoms. There are even bottles that can prevent acid reflux and having to much gas. If you happen to be breastfeeding, bear in mind that you should continue to breastfeed your child even if they reject the bottle. If you find that your child is still rejecting the bottle, you can try to let them feed from a tiny cup until you find a suitable bottle.
The Right Baby Formula for Your Child
Choosing the right baby formula for your child should be the easiest of all three steps. When choosing the type of baby formula you want to feed your infant, make sure that you choose a trusted brand. This formula needs to contain a balanced amount of vitamins and nutrients that are needed for the proper and healthy growth of your child. This is a long-term investment because the type of formula you purchase for your child can affect the various aspects of child development. Once again, you should check your child to see if they have any aversion to the formula you provide. If there are any bad reactions to it, you should consider changing to a different brand.