Dried Milk
Many brands of dried milk are available. They differ slightly in their formulas, but their nutritional value is very similar. Some are reputed to be a closer imitation of mother’s milk, but it is only by a matter of degree. However, there are differences in the chemistry of the ingredients. Some which have been sold widely are now known not to be suitable for babies (they are known technically as “low solute” milks). You should check with your doctor for up-to-date details. Milks also tend to differ a good deal in their taste. If you are having trouble getting your baby to accept his bottle, it may be that he does not like the brand you have chosen. Experiment with one or two others until you find one he enjoys. However, if you have to try more than two or three the problem may be a more general feeding difficulty, and you should consult your doctor.
How Much Milk?
Most babies, given the opportunity, will regulate the amount of their feedings to their own needs. If you are bottle-feeding you can calculate your own baby’s individual needs, which you can do on the following basis: breast milk and properly made formula contain 20 calories per fluid ounce (3 kilojoules per milliliter). Up to five months old, a baby’s daily needs are 55 calories for each pound (500 kilojoules for each kilogram) of his weight. So a baby who weighs 7 lb 4 oz/ 3.29 kg requires 20 fl oz/568 ml a day, and a 10 lb/ 4.54 kg baby needs 27.5 fl oz/780 ml.
If you are anxious about your baby receiving sufficient nourishment, check his weight-gain each week. It is not necessary to weigh him before and after every feeding. By three months he should be getting his requirement with approximately ten minutes on each breast each feeding.
Read MoreBottle-feeding
Although many mothers are returning to breast-feeding, some just do not like it. Whatever the reason, whether you are shy, or whether you feel that modern living is not suited to such an elemental practice, if you do not sincerely want to breast-feed there is no need to force yourself.
If you have decided to bottle–feed from birth, do try to give your baby the benefit of the colostrums from your breasts for the first two or three days. In addition give him warm (body temperature) boiled water from the bottle, not made-up milk. Start him on milk on the third day. Offer a new baby about 1-2 fl oz/ 28-56 ml at a time, increasing this gradually until he is taking the full amount for his weight. Some larger babies may take up to 4 fl oz/ 112 ml each time right from the beginning. Throw away any milk that is left after each feeding.
Read MoreStoring Milk
To avoid having to make such small amounts every two or three hours it is a good idea to make up a larger quantity and store it in the refrigerator, using smaller amounts as needed. These can be poured straight into the bottle, which is then warmed in a saucepan of water. Modern bottles are designed so that the nipple can be placed pointing inward, while a cap, fixed on top keeps it clean.
Feeding Patterns
A newborn baby has to learn even much an elementary thing as how to satisfy his own feeding instinct. He will probably want to be fed every two or three hours at first. Some babies soon settle down to less frequent feedings; others keep up their two-hourly demand for some weeks. It is best for the mother to accept this. If you are breast-feeding, do not let it panic you into giving up or going on to supplementary bottles until careful weighing shows that he is not putting on enough weight. Some babies are just fussy.
Supplementary Feedings
Some women produce copious quantities of milk from the moment it comes in. Others need a week or two to get going properly. Given time, patience, and the will to succeed only very few mothers are unable to produce sufficient milk for their own baby’s needs. Most mothers must wait for their breasts to respond to the demands made on them, which they will do positively. The more you feed your baby, the more your breasts will produce. This is nature’s self –regulating arrangement-, and it is the reason why breast-feedings should not be supplemented with a bottle. If supplementary bottle-feedings are given, it may be the beginning of the end of breast-feeding, as the milk supply will be reduced. This can be a good thing if you want to slowly reduce the time on each breast and gradually increase the amount in the bottle.
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