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  Feeding Young Babies (Newborn to 6 months old) - Bottle-feeding Download

Feeding Young Babies (Newborn to 6 months old) Bottle - feeding
Breastmilk is the best source of nutrition of your baby. Many valuable ingredients in breastmilk, such as antibodies that help to build up immunity in babies and enzymes that help digestion, cannot be obtained from artificial formula. However, for mothers who are unable or choose not to breastfeed, baby formula is an alternative. Baby formulas specially made to meet babies' nutritional needs. There are three major categories of formula on the market, namely: Starter formula High protein follow-on formula Special formula
How to Choose the Appropriate Formula? Starter formula is the cow's milk-based standard formula. It is suitable for healthy newborn babies. It provides all the necessary nutrients for the daily requirement of your baby. Babies older than six months can continue taking infant formula while solid food is gradually introduced into their diet. If your baby is growing well on an appropriate infant formula and solid foods, there is no need to change to a high protein formula. The composition of different brands of infant formula is similar. Therefore, regardless of which brand you have chosen, it is not necessary to change to other brands without special reasons.
High protein follow-on formula is only for babies older than six months. It is not suitable for newborn or young babies. The high protein content will put a strain on the baby's immature kidneys. It may also cause dehydration, gastroenteritis or brain damage in newborn babies.
Special formula should only be used for the special health needs of a baby under a doctor's supervision. Lactose free formula or soy-based formula is usually used for babies who cannot tolerate lactose (the sugar found in cow's milk). Some strict vegetarian parents may choose to feed their babies with soy-based formula because it contains no animal product. Hydrolyzed-protein formula is for babies who cannot tolerate cow's milk protein.
Cleaning and Sterilization of Feeding Bottles All bottles, teats and other utensils you use to prepare formula or feed the baby should be thoroughly cleaned. Always wash your hands with liquid soap and water before preparing baby's bottles to prevent infection.(Please refer to leaflet 'Guidelines for Good Handwashing') Wash the utensils with detergent and rinse thoroughly with water. Boil in water for 10-15 minutes. Sterilized bottles and teats should be capped properly and stored in a clean container, covered and ready for use.
Preparation of Formula Once you have chosen the formula, follow these steps to prepare a feed for your baby: 1. Choose a clean area. 2. Always wash your hands with liquid soap and water to prevent infection. 3. To dilute the formula, use boiled water that has cooled. Water should not be too hot or it will destroy some vitamins.
4. Make sure you follow the manufacturer's directions exactly. Use the exact number of scoops of powder and the exact amount of water*. Use the scoop supplied in the can, and fill it with formula powder loosely. Level with a clean knife and do not press the powder. *If you add too much water, your baby won't get the calories and nutrients he needs for proper growth. If you add too little water, the high concentration of formula will cause diarrhea or dehydration and give your baby more calories than he needs.
5. It should be noted that powdered baby formula is not a sterile product. Therefore, the reconstituted formula should best be consumed within 2 hours after preparation. Any reconstituted formula stored at room temperature over 4 hours should be discarded. 6. If you prepare the formula in advance, store them in the refrigerator at a temperature below 4℃ to prevent germ growth, and must be consumed within 24 hours or be discarded.
7. If your baby prefers warm milk, you can stand the bottle of milk in a container of warm water for a few minutes. Don't heat the milk in microwave ovens to prevent scalding of your baby. Water for Reconstituting Baby Formula Using boiled tap water for reconstituting baby formula is safe, convenient and economical. The sterility of bottled water including distilled water and mineral water cannot be guaranteed and it should always be boiled before use for babies less than 6 months.
How to Bottle-feed the Baby? Shake the bottle gently before feeding. Pour a few drops of the warmed milk onto your wrist to check is temperature before offering the bottle to your baby. Hold your baby close to you in your arms, with the head a little higher than the rest of the baby. (Picture 1)
Tilt the bottle to make sure that milk fills the teat. Lightly touch the baby's mouth with the teat and the baby will turn and grasp it. Hold the bottle at a right angle to the baby's mouth. The teat hole should be of appropriate size so that milk drops slowly (about one drop per second) from the bottle when it is held with the teat down.
If the teat hole is too small, your baby may need to suck hard and swallow too much air. If it is too big, the milk may flow too fast and cause choking. Continue to feed your baby until he shows signs of fullness such as slow, uninterested sucking or turning away from the bottle. Any unfinished milk must be discarded.
Burp your baby for several minutes after every 2 to 3 ounces of milk taken and after finishing the feed. This will help relieve the discomfort due to air swallowed during feeding. There are two ways to burp your baby:- 1) Hold him upright, support his head on your shoulder while you gently pat/rub his back. (Picture 2) 2) Sit him on your lap, support his chest and head with one hand while you gently pat/rub his back with another hand.(Picture 3)
Keep your baby in an upright position for 10 to 15 minutes to prevent him from spitting up after feeding. Don't leave your baby alone with the bottle propped up (he may choke on the milk), and don't put him to bed with a bottle (this will cause caries in the front teeth). * Be sure that anyone else caring for your baby understand and carries out these procedures.
Daily Requirement of Milk for Babies Babies grow at different rates. If your baby is growing well, looks satisfied, produces about six wet diapers in a day in the first 6 months and sleeps well, probably he is getting the right amount of milk. A rigid feeding schedule is not necessary. Your baby will eventually establish a feeding pattern of his own. Your baby knows and will let you know when he is hungry and when he has had enough. Watch for signs that your baby is full, and stop feeding once these signs appear. Never force your baby finish all the milk in a bottle. Your baby is the best judge of how much he needs. The daily consumption should not be determined by the same standard for all babies. Generally a one-month-old baby takes about 3-4 ounces each for 6-8 feeds a day.
Key Points that We Want parents to Remember:
Breastmilk is the best food for your baby. Choice of formula Starter formula is suitable for babies from birth to 6 months and beyond. High protein follow-on formula is not medically required and should only be given to babies over 6 months old if used. Use special formula only after consultation with your doctor.
Preparation of milk feeds Always pay attention to personal and bottle hygiene. Follow instructions strictly in preparing the feeds. Never use microwaves to heat bottles of milk. Discard left-over milk. Feeding your baby The teat hole should be of the right size. Follow your baby's feeding pattern. Watch for signs of hunger/fullness.
If you have any queries on bottle-feeding, please contact the medical and nursing staff of Maternal and Child Health Centres. We are pleased to answer your enquires. For more health information, please call the Department of Health's 24-hour pre-recorded health education hotline: 2833 0111 or visit the website of the Central Health Education Unit, Department of Health: www.cheu.org.hk

 
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Last revision date: 01 September 2006