Is Bottel Feed Safe or Unsafe? Expert Tips and Advice
Dr. Srivats Bharadwaj, a specialist in pediatric preventive dentistry practicing at the Velia Center for Oral Health in Bangalore, said that,
"Most parents today bottle-feed their babies; it has become a trend. One of the important aspects that we need to understand while feeding a baby is that as soon as you finish your feed, it is important to make sure that the oral cavity is completely cleaned of the milk that is there, so make sure after the baby is fed to actually clean the mouth, and do not forget to clean the lip; the underlying portions between the teeth and the lip are where milk will get stagnated, thereby having chances of tooth decay, so make sure that after every single feed, the baby's mouth is perfectly cleaned."
Which Bottle Should You Choose?
Whether you are feeding formula or breast milk, a baby bottle is a must-have. Consider these factors before choosing your bottle for your baby
Glass vs. plastic
- Glass bottles are chemical-free and last longer; however, they are also expensive and fragile. You can get silicone covers if you wish to use glass bottles.
- Plastic bottles need to be replaced frequently. Pick the one state or BPA-free to be on the safer site.
Size of bottles
- Start with 4-ounce bottles and move to the 9-ounce ones once your baby's appetite increases.
Types
- Bottles with wide necks are easier to clean.
- Option for bottles with disposable liners. These liners are pre-sterilized, making cleaning easier.
- Bottles that have angled necks are suitable for colicky babies as they reduce gas formation.
How to Sterilize the Baby Bottle?
Prior to the sterilization process, you have to clean the bottles with some dish soap and a baby bottle brush. Now grab a pot and fill it with water, and then turn the burner on max. and allow the water to come to a boil, and then add in your baby bottle parts, like the nipple, as well as the rim. The temperatures are very hot, so please do be careful.
Took a clean pair of tongs and moved the pieces around just to ensure that they were all well coated and everything was being evenly sterilized. Now threw a pacifier in at the last minute, and again, this was sterilized for five minutes.
Types of Baby Bottles Available in the Market
We'll cover the top five models of baby bottles available in the market. We made this list based on our personal opinions and hours of research, and I've listed them based on quality, popularity, price, and more. I've included options for every type of buyer. So if you're looking for an entry-level option or the best product money can buy, we'll have the product for you. Please check the link below for more details. Let's dive in.
1. Komotomo baby bottle
The silicone also gives
these a super soft grip that babies enjoy holding onto. The nipple on these has
a dual vent, which will help ease any discomfort and prevent burps, and best of
all, these bottles have an extra wide base, so they are easy to clean.
2.
Phillips oven natural baby bottle
Number two Phillips oven
natural baby bottle There are a whole lot of choices out there, but Phillips
offers one of the overall best baby bottles around, whether you're looking for
something that mimics breastfeeding or the best baby bottles for colic.
Phillips has a winner here.
This pick has an extra soft nipple, which makes for an easy latch, and an anti-colic nipple that flexes while the baby is feeding, helping to prevent air from getting in the baby's tummy and leading to gas and discomfort. It sports a wide neck for easier cleaning.
3.
Tommy Tippy baby-feeding bottles
Number
three Tommy Tippy baby feeding bottles All your baby gear can add up quickly.
You might want to try this festive pack from Tommy Tippy that adds a little
color to your feeding routine. This set of six provides you with BPA-free
bottles that are not only easy to clean with their wide base, but they also
mimic mom's breast.
The
bottles are also easy to hold on to, so anyone feeding the baby can get
comfortable. Parents love the bright colors on them and the value in the
easy-to-read numbers on the side, which make the middle-of-the-night feedings a
lot easier.
4.
Madela breast milk storage bottles
Number four Madela
breast milk storage bottles These BPA-free bottles come in both a five-ounce
size that has a slow flow intended for newborns and an eight-ounce size with a
medium flow nipple, which can work for babies from 4 to 12 months old.
All Mom needs to do is
pump into the bottle and put the nipple on, and the baby is ready to be fed.
These bottles have a very accurate line on them, so Mom will know how much she
is pumping and feeding her kid. It includes one quick-clean microsteam bag.
5.
ma'am, newborn anti-colic baby bottles
Number five, ma'am, newborn anti-colic baby bottles These bottles were made for babies with reflux in mind with their patented vented base that gets out air bubbles so they don't get trapped in your baby's tummy. In one study by the company, eighty percent of the mothers tested said after using this bottle, their baby had less colic. These are also made with breastfeeding moms in mind with a soft silicone nipple. The company says that 94 of the babies took this nipple in studies. It comes with two five-ounce bottles and two nine-ounce bottles. Thanks for watching! Please subscribe to our channel for more updates.
Common Mistake to Avoid When Using Baby Bottles
When a mother is breastfeeding, she does not need to worry much about her baby catching an infection while feeding; however, as bottle feeding requires using external materials like feeding bottles and nipples, we must take extra caution to make them suitable and safe for the baby.
Mistakes to guard against while bottle feeding your baby:
- Not being flexible about the frequency of feeds, it is always better to maintain a flexible feeding schedule. It means you need to feed your baby when your baby is hungry and not according to a schedule set in stone.
- Not keeping bottles clean enough; sterilizing the feeding bottles, rings, and nipples is a must. Every time before you bottle-feed your baby before using the bottle The first time, sterilize it in boiling water for about an hour or in the sterilizer, and clean it with a dry towel after every feeding. Wash the bottle generously; do not use harsh detergents or chemicals for cleaning it.
- Not choosing the right feeding positions: do not feed the baby in a sleeping position; your baby will probably spill out most of the milk. In addition, the milk may flow into the media canal, leading to an infection in the future: always keep the baby's head in an elevated position to help him drink the milk comfortably.
- For not burping the baby after bottle feeding, burping your baby after feeding is important every time. Put the baby over the shoulder, hold him close to your chest, and rub or pat his back gently.
- Mixing breast milk and formula milk. This is a strict no. Pediatricians do not recommend that you mix formula and breast milk; it may also lead to problems in digestion and seriously mess up the composition of your baby's feed. However, you can alternate between the two during different day feeds, but no mixing.
Two important cautionary tips to remember:
- Pick the right kind of bottle; the bottle should not be too big or too small, have a good grip, and be easy to clean. It should also be made of safe, non-reactive material that will not adversely react with the formula milk and spoil it.
- Buy the right kind of formula milk. Your baby may like the taste of a particular brand more than that of another or find a particular one easier to digest. Shelf life, the quantity of packaging, and ease of storage may also affect your buying preference. Bottle feeding can be tricky and might require some effort on your part; a little bit of practice and patience will make it much better.
How to Prepare a Bottle Feed?
The Department of Health recommends that we breastfeed exclusively for the first six months of life and continue breastfeeding along with appropriate foods up until 2 years of age. However, if you cannot or choose not to breastfeed, infant formula is the next best available option. Before you begin formula feeding your baby, it's a good idea to speak to your health care professional for their advice.
So before you begin, it's really important to make sure that everything that you're using, the surface and the equipment, is clean and that you've washed your hands and dried them with the clean towel. You also need to make sure that your bottles and teeth have been sterilized first according to the manufacturer's guidelines. Make sure that you always read the guide unpack before you begin making your baby's bottle feed because they can vary for some specialized formulas. So do check if you're unsure.
So to begin, you need to boil 1 liter of freshly drawn water, and then once that has boiled, you need to allow it to cool for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, the water is going to be at around 70°C, and that's the ideal temperature because it's hot enough to make sure that any harmful compounds have been destroyed, but it's not too hot that it will affect any of the nutrients in the mouth.
So once the water has cooled for 30 minutes, you just open up your bottle, take your water, and you fill that up to the seven-hand mark, so for a seven-speed, we need seven ounces of water and seven scoops of powder.
So then you take your infant formula and, using the scoop provided, take a scoop of the powder, level it off, and pop it in your water, so we do that with seven scoops.
Make sure that you don't pack the scoop too tightly and that you always level it off because that way baby will be getting exactly the right amount.
When you have your seven scoops, just seal up the bottle and give it a good shake for about 10 seconds to make sure that all of the powder has dissolved in the water, and then once it's all dissolved, you need to cool down the feed.
As you remember, this is at 70°C; it's far too hot for a baby. You need to cool it down, and the best way to do that is to hold it under a cold running tap. But make sure that the water doesn't go above the neck of the bottle, or you can put it in a bowl or a jug of cold water and just leave that to stand there until it is cooled down.
Once it's cooled, you just need to test the temperature to make sure that it's not too hot. So to do that, you just open up the bottle and let a little bit drop on the inside of your wrist, so it should feel lukewarm, not too hot. That's the ideal temperature for baby, so this bottle, once made, will last for two hours, so if baby is a slow feeder or if you have any milk left after the two hours, you need to discard that and start from fresh. It's best to make each feed fresh.
You can also keep those in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Once you take those feeds out of the fridge, you can warm them up, but don't use a microwave because hotspots can occur, so you can just stand the bottle in a little bowl of warm water to bring it up to room temperature, and then those will last for two hours once they're out of the fridge. And again, if you have any feeds left after 24 hours and you have them in the fridge, you need to discard those and make up a fresh batch. For more helpful tips and advice like this, visit us at Octopi.
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FAQs
Do bottle-fed babies cluster feed?
Yes, bottle-fed babies can cluster feed. Cluster feeding is when babies want to feed more frequently during certain periods, often in the evening. This happens with both breastfed and bottle-fed babies, and it's a natural way for them to consume more milk during growth spurts.
Why is my baby spilling milk while bottle feeding?
Spilling milk while bottle feeding can happen for several reasons: • The bottle's nipple may be too large or too fast-flowing, causing milk to come out too quickly. • The baby may be sucking too hard, or the bottle may not be angled correctly. • The baby might not be latched onto the nipple properly, allowing milk to spill out. Try adjusting the nipple size, holding the bottle at the right angle, or ensuring the baby is sucking properly.
How long do you bottle-feed a baby goat?
Baby goats, or kids, are usually bottle-fed for about 8 weeks, but this can vary based on the goat’s growth and health. After 8 weeks, they can start transitioning to solid food, but you may still offer some milk or milk replacer until they are fully weaned.
How to hold a baby when bottle-feeding?
When bottle-feeding a baby, hold them in a semi-upright position, similar to how you would hold them during breastfeeding. Make sure the baby's head is slightly elevated, and support their neck and head with your arm. Hold the bottle at a slight angle, ensuring that the nipple is full of milk, so the baby doesn't swallow air. Never prop the bottle to feed the baby, as it can increase the risk of choking or ear infections.
What is the best way to bottle-feed my baby?
The best way to bottle-feed your baby is by holding them in a semi-upright position, ensuring their head is supported. Hold the bottle at a slight angle to keep the nipple full of milk, and make sure your baby is latching onto the nipple properly. Never prop the bottle unattended.
How do I know if my baby is getting enough milk from the bottle?
Signs your baby is getting enough milk include regular wet diapers (about 6-8 per day), a steady weight gain, and satisfaction after feedings. You can also watch for cues like calmness or sleep after feeding.
Why is my baby spilling milk while bottle-feeding?
Spilling milk can occur if the nipple is too large, too fast-flowing, or if the baby is sucking too aggressively. Also, the bottle might not be held at the correct angle. Try using a slower-flow nipple or adjusting your feeding position.
Can I bottle-feed my baby goat, and how long should I do it?
Yes, baby goats (kids) can be bottle-fed, and they typically need milk until they are about 8 weeks old. After this, you can start introducing solid food while reducing milk gradually
How do I clean and sterilize baby bottles properly?
To clean bottles, wash them thoroughly with hot water and dish soap after each use. Sterilizing bottles can be done by boiling them or using a bottle sterilizer. Sterilize new bottles before first use and after any illness.