Bottle-Feeding Problem Tips

110 3 minutes read

Bottle-Feeding Problem Tips

Bottle-Feeding Problems:

For your daughter, who’s hardwired to suck on just about everything that makes its way past her little lips, taking a bottle should be a cinch. (Give it a try if you’ve never put your pinkie in her mouth and you’ll see.) Sometimes, however, bottle-feeding issues occur, but they’re almost always easy to fix. For quick bottle-feeding methods, click through.

Assume the (Best) Position:

If your baby is a speed eater, you’re going to keep her for up to 20 minutes each feeding period, so you may as well be relaxed. Help the crook of your arm with your little one’s back, prop her up at a 45-degree angle so that she doesn’t swallow a lot of air, and align her head with her body. Keeping your baby this way will tear your arm out, though, so place a pillow on your hand to lean on your arm. And switch sides halfway through the feeding session for bottles. This will not only give a break to your arms but will also give your baby a fresh perspective.

Fill ‘Er Up!:

A bottle-fed baby knows when she’s had enough and when she’s full, she can turn her head away from the nipple (unless it happens after only a few minutes, then there’s probably air in her tank, and she’s going to need to be burped). So if after a feeding, you find yourself emptying out a little formula (and always do this, leftovers are a bacteria breeding ground), don’t worry: As long as your baby slowly gains weight (your doctor will let you know if not) and pees and poops day and night at regular intervals, she gets plenty to eat. Just bear in mind this bottle-feeding formula: A baby under six months of age who does not consume solids should drink two to two and a half ounces of formula over 24 hours per pound of body weight. Therefore, if your baby weighs 10 pounds, she can drink between 20 to 25 ounces a day.

When the air gets stuck in the tiny tummy of your infant, before she has enough to feed, it can make her feel full. The trick is to know when to take a time-out. Burping your baby will help bring up those bubbles. Taking a belch-break much of the time when she’s halfway through her bottle would do it. (This is also a perfect time to change her position.) You should also look for signs that she feels airy. For example, if, after only a few minutes, she turns her head away from the bottle, Odds are that she’s gassy, not complete. And try this trick for bottle feeding: by using an angled bottle or one with plastic liners, minimize your air intake.

Discourage Dozing:

Be Alert to Allergies:

There are two types of reactions in babies that are allergic to the protein in cow’s milk, the basic ingredient in most baby formulas: their symptoms come immediately after a meal, or they do not develop up until around a week or so later. Symptoms can vary from wheezing to itchy, watery, or swollen eyes to stomach upset.Typically, it is merely a matter of switching formulas to cope with a milk allergy (ask your pediatrician for advice and search for a medication that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration). Her symptoms should clear up within two to four weeks until you find a formula that your baby can handle. But in the event of a serious reaction, such as mouth or throat swelling or hives and vomiting, give yourself an auto-injector of epinephrine as soon as possible

Decipher Feeding Rebuffs:

If your little one is ailing from a stuffy nose, sucking could be pretty tricky. What to do if she’s cold? Oh, keep giving her a glass. Chances are that she’s not going to miss more than a meal or two. Your baby can more than make up for missed nutrients and calories until she feels better.

What to do if she’s teething: Usually, baby teeth do not start until around seven months, but some babies start teething as early as two to three months. It may make sore gums feel worse by sucking on a nipple. If you think a new tooth is behind the reluctance of your baby to take her bottle, try these teething relief tips.