BOTTLE FEEDING
Although cow's milk is part of the normal diet of most Western nations, it is not suitable for young babies. The
naturally intended food for babies is breast milk, and a baby who is not being breastfed must be fed with special
formulas developed to approximate breast milk, which has more sugar and less protein than cow's milk.
Provided the manufacturer's instructions are followed exactly, most babies will thrive on formula. It is quite
wrong to think that a slightly stronger formula might give the baby more nourishment. If the mixture is made
stronger than the manufacturer recommends, the baby will get too much fat, protein, minerals and salt, and not
enough water.
Milk, especially when at room temperature, is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, and it is therefore essential
that formula is prepared in a sterile environment. Bottles, utensils, measuring implements, teats and anything used
in the preparation of a baby's food must be boiled and stored in one of the commercially available sterilising
solutions. Carers should also wash their hands before embarking on preparation. Made-up formula must be stored
in the refrigerator. If these precautions are not followed, the baby may develop gastroenteritis and require
hospitalisation.
The baby should be allowed some say in how much food s/he needs. Carers will generally be advised by the
hospital or baby health clinic how much to offer the baby (calculated according to weight), but just as breastfed
babies have different needs that can vary from feed to feed, so too do bottle-fed babies. Mothers often feel that the
baby should finish the last drop in the bottle. But within reason, babies can generally be relied upon to assess their
own needs quite satisfactorily.
Just as with breastfed babies, it is generally considered best to feed a baby as and when they are hungry. In the
first few weeks this may be at irregular and frequent intervals. It takes about three or four hours for a feed to be
digested, and as the baby's digestive system matures, signs of hunger will normally settle down into a regular
pattern.
The rate at which babies feed also varies. Some like to gulp down their formula, while others like to take things
easy. The rate of feed can upset a baby if it is too fast or slow for its liking. Teats with different hole sizes can be
purchased, and a small hole can be enlarged with a hot needle. Frequent breaks from the bottle during a feed in
order to let a burp come up and the milk go down can also smooth the progress of the feed and avoid stomach
discomfort afterwards.
Although cow's milk is part of the normal diet of most Western nations, it is not suitable for young babies. The
naturally intended food for babies is breast milk, and a baby who is not being breastfed must be fed with special
formulas developed to approximate breast milk, which has more sugar and less protein than cow's milk.
Provided the manufacturer's instructions are followed exactly, most babies will thrive on formula. It is quite
wrong to think that a slightly stronger formula might give the baby more nourishment. If the mixture is made
stronger than the manufacturer recommends, the baby will get too much fat, protein, minerals and salt, and not
enough water.
Milk, especially when at room temperature, is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, and it is therefore essential
that formula is prepared in a sterile environment. Bottles, utensils, measuring implements, teats and anything used
in the preparation of a baby's food must be boiled and stored in one of the commercially available sterilising
solutions. Carers should also wash their hands before embarking on preparation. Made-up formula must be stored
in the refrigerator. If these precautions are not followed, the baby may develop gastroenteritis and require
hospitalisation.
The baby should be allowed some say in how much food s/he needs. Carers will generally be advised by the
hospital or baby health clinic how much to offer the baby (calculated according to weight), but just as breastfed
babies have different needs that can vary from feed to feed, so too do bottle-fed babies. Mothers often feel that the
baby should finish the last drop in the bottle. But within reason, babies can generally be relied upon to assess their
own needs quite satisfactorily.
Just as with breastfed babies, it is generally considered best to feed a baby as and when they are hungry. In the
first few weeks this may be at irregular and frequent intervals. It takes about three or four hours for a feed to be
digested, and as the baby's digestive system matures, signs of hunger will normally settle down into a regular
pattern.
The rate at which babies feed also varies. Some like to gulp down their formula, while others like to take things
easy. The rate of feed can upset a baby if it is too fast or slow for its liking. Teats with different hole sizes can be
purchased, and a small hole can be enlarged with a hot needle. Frequent breaks from the bottle during a feed in
order to let a burp come up and the milk go down can also smooth the progress of the feed and avoid stomach
discomfort afterwards.
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