| Don't feel guilty if you have decided to go down the | | | | never re-use and milk left over after bottle feeding, |
| route of bottle feeding. Making the decision to bottle | | | | bacteria love it! |
| feed is never taken lightly and if you have decided | | | | The temperature at which a bottle should be offered |
| that bottle feeding is the right decision for you and | | | | to your baby varies from child to child with some |
| your child than follow your instincts and go for it, | | | | babies preferring their milk at room temperature and |
| don't worry what other people have to say. | | | | others preferring their bottle feed warm. To warm |
| In some instances bottle feeding can be better for | | | | the milk just drop the full bottle into a jug of boiling |
| your newborn than breastfeeding particularly if you | | | | water and then test the temperature against your |
| are a smoker, drink alcohol of take unprescribed | | | | wrist before bottle feeding your baby. |
| drugs (certain drugs, alcohol and nicotine can be | | | | Some babies need to be persuaded to take the teat |
| transmitted to your baby through your breast milk). | | | | and feed so try stroking the teat across your baby's |
| Also, it is better to bottle feed if you are HIV | | | | lips which should encourage him to open his mouth |
| positive or have other serious illnesses such as | | | | and grab hold of the teat. |
| severe anaemia, turberculosis or kidney disease. If | | | | If you find that your baby is gulping his milk down |
| you are taking certain medications you may be | | | | too fast then you probably need a smaller teat and |
| advised not to breastfeed your baby. | | | | likewise if your baby is finding bottle feeding really |
| Bottle feeding formula milk provides all the vitamins a | | | | hard work then a larger teat may be required. |
| minerals that your baby needs, it's nutritional qualities | | | | One thing that shouldn't need to be said but I will say |
| are close to breast milk and, in most cases, is made | | | | it anyway is never leave your baby alone to bottle |
| from cows milk which has been specially treated to | | | | feed, if you need to leave your baby even for a split |
| ease digestion. | | | | second take the bottle away. A baby left alone to |
| There are now alternatives to regular formula's | | | | feed could end up vomiting and choking. |
| (usually soya) specifically designed for lactose | | | | When bottle feeding always tilt the bottle as this will |
| intolerant babies or for those babies where there is | | | | make sure that the teat remains full to prevent air |
| family history of allergies. If you are bottle feeding | | | | from getting into the teat which can cause wind. If |
| only use standard formula unless your doctor has | | | | your baby is prone to suffering from wind then try |
| advised otherwise. | | | | winding half way through feeding and then again at |
| It is important to follow all manufacturers' instruction | | | | the end of the feed. To wind your baby, lay him |
| when making up the formula milk. Bottle feeding can | | | | across your shoulder of on your lap and rub his back. |
| cause colic if you make up the formula milk either | | | | It is quite normal for babies to sometimes bring back |
| too weak or too strong or feed your baby milk that | | | | up small amounts of milk during or after feeding |
| is at the wrong temperature. | | | | (called possetting) and sometimes babies will bring up |
| Buying ready made milk in cartons or bottles is really | | | | the entire content of their stomach in a forceful way |
| useful if you are out and about but is a far more | | | | which is called projectile vomiting. Possetting is not |
| expensive way to bottle feed your baby. | | | | unusual neither should occasional projectile vomiting |
| You can prepare 24 hours worth of formula in one | | | | be cause for concern but if your baby is throwing up |
| go and store it in the fridge until required. Dispose of | | | | too frequently or forceful vomiting is occurring too |
| any unused formula after the 24 hour period and | | | | often consult your doctor. |