Formula Feeding

FORMULA FEEDING
The appropriate formula brand will be recommended by your pediatrician.

Wash your hands before preparing the formula. Offer 2-4 ounces on demand. Feed the newborn at least every 4 hours. Burp the baby at least once during the feeding and at the end of feeding. Test the nipple before feeding your baby. If the nipple hole is too small, the baby may tire of sucking before getting all that he or she needs. If the hole is too large, the baby will get too much, too fast. The baby may also get so much air that he/she spits up all or part of the feeding. The hole should be large enough to permit the formula to drip freely out of the nipple when the bottle is being held upside down without shaking. If the hole is too small, enlarge it with a pin or needle. If a stream forms, the hole is too large. You should discard the nipple. The bottle cap should be loosened while the baby is nursing so that large bubbles of air enter the bottle freely.

Hold the baby in the crook of your arm, making sure you and your baby are comfortable. Your baby's head should be slightly raised and resting in the bend of your elbow. Place the nipple on the top to your baby's tongue. If you have trouble getting the tongue down, gently pull down on the baby's chin. Tilt the bottle so that the nipple on the neck of the bottle is filled with formula. This helps your baby receive formula instead of air. Air in the baby's stomach may give a false sense of being full and may also cause discomfort.

Sucking is part of your baby's pleasure at feeding time. A baby may continue to suck on a nipple even after it has collapsed. Therefore, take the nipple out of your baby's mouth occasionally to make sure it hasn't collapsed.

Never prop a bottle or leave your baby alone to drink. The bottle could slip and make the baby choke. Sometimes you baby will take every drop in the bottle, and sometimes not. Don't worry, as this is normal. You can usually tell when your baby has had enough when he or she stops sucking, frequently turns away, or falls asleep. You should never force your baby to finish a bottle. Throw out any remaining formula. After feeding time, rinse the bottle with cool water and squeeze water through the nipple hole to prevent clogging.

It is not necessary to sterilize the formula. To clean the bottles and nipples, rinse with very hot water. Well water must be boiled for 10 minutes before use. Use the water, nipples, and bottles at room temperature.

When you start to use the room temperature formula, put another bottle outside the refrigerator so it will be at room temperature for your baby's next feeding. Do not use a microwave to warm bottles because the milk may be warmed unevenly.

HOW MUCH FORMULA
The amount of formula you baby takes will vary. Babies have a right not to eat sometimes, just as you and I have. You can't make a baby want to eat. It is common for a newborn to be sleepy between and during a feeding time, especially in the first few days. You can stimulate the baby to wake up by unwrapping, changing diapers, and moving him/her around.

Feeding schedules are most satisfactory when roughly set and your baby is allowed to eat when he/she becomes hungry. Most babies will awaken for feeding every 3-5 hours.

As your baby grows and gains weight, he or she will need more formula. When you baby takes all of his/her bottle on a regular basis and sometimes cries for more, increase the amount of formula in each bottle. Wake your baby every 3 hours during the day (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.). It is not necessary to feed this often, but the more your baby is awake during the day, the more you will sleep at night.

BREAST ENGORGEMENT IN BOTTLE FEEDING MOTHERS
Wrap a strip of material or towel around your breasts or wear a bra for several days (night time too) for comfort. Avoid loose clothing and very tight clothing as this can cause blocked ducts and infection. Take baths instead of showers, keep your breasts out of warm water, and avoid rubbing the baby against your breast until the discomfort is gone. Ice packs and aspirin may help relieve some of the discomfort. Call your doctor if your breasts develop a red, sore area.

Feeding | Breast-Feeding

Introduction

Home Care for You, the New Mom

Feeding

Getting to Know Your Baby

Caring For Your Baby

Signs of Possible Illness

A Safety Checklist

Parent Education