With 3.7 million births happening each year in the United States, people from all different backgrounds are becoming new parents each day. Regardless of what your knowledge and background are when it comes to raising a baby, all new parents can use a little bit of advice. This is why we compiled a list of mistakes to avoid while bottle feeding.
Are you looking for formula-feeding tips and tricks? Or bottle feeding newborn tips?
Keep reading to learn more.
Feeding Your Baby Every Time They Cry
When we hear babies cry, most of us assume it is because of hunger.
While your baby may cry if they’re hungry, that’s not the only reason they’ll do so. They may want to be held, need a diaper change, or may just be cold.
If you get in the habit of feeding your baby every single time they cry, they’ll begin eating when they don’t need to. This will encourage them to cry in an effort to get food when they aren’t hungry. Plus, it may cause gastrointestinal issues that cause them discomfort.
If they start demanding food when they aren’t hungry or they’re having stomach discomfort, you’ll find they have more inconsolable cries.
To help curb this issue, try to get on a regular feeding schedule. If they cry outside of those designated times, try a few other solutions before resorting to feeding them more. Not only will getting on a structured feeding routine make digestion easier for them, but your life will be much easier as well.
Watering Down Baby Formula to Save Money
Not everyone has extra money to spend after they have babies, and baby formula can get expensive over time.
However, watering down any formula can have negative impacts on their health. A healthy organic formula in its full serving is essential for proper growth and development for the baby. The serving size on your formula was created to make sure your baby isn’t just full, but also taking in the daily dose of nutrients that they need.
Also, even if the formula is watered down, you aren’t really saving money in the long run. While the water will temporarily fill the baby’s belly, they’ll become hungry much sooner than they would if they had a full serving. So you’ll need to feed them again anyway.
With baby products, there are many ways we can cut corners. For example, getting hand-me-down clothes from friends, relatives, or consignment shops. When it comes to feeding your baby, that’s not something you want to stretch dollars on.
Organic baby formulas are carefully crafted for your growing baby which is why they’re so vital to their health and development.
Warming up the Formula in the Microwave
A bottle warmer or a stove is used to warm milk, so why wouldn’t it be okay to heat it up in the microwave?
While your point is understandable, heating the formula in a microwave can be dangerous. Since microwaves often heat liquids unevenly, the formula may develop hot spots in it. This will make the milk you test feel cool or lukewarm, but the baby may burn their mouth on the hotter parts.
Also, some of the vitamins and minerals that are vital to your baby’s health are killed by the heat of the microwave.
If you’re trying to hurry while heating the milk, put a bowl of water in the microwave and then set the bottle in that to warm up. Or run it under some hot water from the faucet.
If you want to, you even have the option to start serving it cold or lukewarm. This can make the transition to cow’s milk a little easier.
Forgetting to Burp Your Baby After Bottle Feeding
Since your baby’s digestive system is still developing, they need your help to get rid of the gas that accumulates in their belly from drinking out of their bottle.
Without your assistance, they’re much more likely to develop a stomachache. To burp them, simply place them on your shoulder and lightly thump their back to help release the excess air in their stomach.
It’s advised to wear a rag or a towel over your shoulder in case they spit up as they burp. While you don’t always have a ton of time on your hands as you feed your baby, it is important to make time to burp them after each feeding.
Letting Your Baby Fall Asleep With Their Bottle
When you’re running on 1 hour of sleep and your baby is up in the middle of the night for a feeding, it can be tempting to let them keep the bottle as they drift off.
While you may think this helps them fall asleep faster, don’t ever let them fall asleep with their bottle. If the formula sits in their mouth, it can cause gum disease. Also, the bottle poses a choking hazard if your baby has it in their mouth unsupervised.
If you find they get fussy when you try to take the bottle, offer them a pacifier to keep in their mouth instead. As you’re offering their feeding at night, fight the urge to prop the bottle up and let them feed themselves.
Feed them while you’re sitting up to avoid falling asleep yourself, burp them, then set them in their crib with a pacifier if they need it.
Feeding Your Baby Is One of the Most Rewarding Things You’ll Do as a New Parent
Not only is the way you feed your baby important for their development, but eliminating bad habits will make bottle feeding easier for you.
Bottle feeding is a great way to bond with your baby and have uninterrupted time cuddling with them. So while it seems exhausting, enjoy those little moments!
If you have any questions about these bottle feeding tips, feel free to reach out to us!
