Tips for formula feeding

[AbbeysMom]

:hi:

I was set on bfing, so when I had to formula feed (or even bottle feed ebm) I was a little lost. I thought this group could use a sticky for tips on bottle feeding.

1. You can bond with your baby while bottle feeding. Hold your LO and the bottle securely (cuddling). Bonding will occur more naturally if you imitate positioning for bfing. Hold your LO in a semi-upright position and always hold the bottle; this will help keep air bubbles from being swallowed by him/her. Bottle propping can lead to your LO choking as well, so avoid propping.

Treat feeding times as a time to bond with your baby. For us that meant a comfortable position and no TV, no phone, just me and baby and bottle.


2. Don't try to count how many ounces your newborn is eating. His or her appetite will vary just like a bfing baby, and newborns can't be scheduled for feedings whether they are breastfed or bottle fed. Try to pay attention to feeding cues instead, and trust that your baby will know when and how much to eat.

3. If you're pretty sure your LO is full but they want to continue to eat, try a pacifier. Most babies who are bottle fed need a paci to fulfill their need to suckle.

4. Try a formula with probiotics or supplementing with probiotics. Breast milk has natural probiotics from the momma. They support your LO's immune system by helping his or her digestive tract stay healthy and fight off bad bugs.

6. Be prepared to try a few different types of bottles to accommodate your LO before buying all the bottles you need. Favorites seem to be Dr. Brown's for reducing colic (gassiness) and Playtex drop-ins for ease of use (less cleaning). Start with the slowest flow nipple possible.

8. Don't feel guilty. I was set on bfing and had a really hard time accepting that my LO would be formula fed. Every mom is different, but if you're bottle feeding as a second choice you may have trouble accepting what is. Allow yourself to grieve if you need to.

7. Don't panic. Formula feeding may be second to breast feeding, but your LO can be healthy, happy and bonded to you just the same.


Please feel free to add on!:)

[Mommykm3]

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[Hope2BeMommy2008]

One thing I do, and find her feeds are less distracted when I do this...I tuck Megans arm(the one that is closest to my body) around me, behind my back. This wraps her into my body so she feels close and I feel close to her.

I started doing this with Carter and he is almost 10 mos old and that is how he still puts his arm during bottle feeding time! It's the best and it's only with me he does this with...when DH feeds him both arms are out!

[Hope2BeMommy2008]

One thing I do, and find her feeds are less distracted when I do this...I tuck Megans arm(the one that is closest to my body) around me, behind my back. This wraps her into my body so she feels close and I feel close to her.
I do this with Carter and he is going on 10mos old and still puts his arm behind my back! :) It's the best. And it's only with me he does it with. When DH feeds him, it's a totally different hold!

[scrapper05]

Thanks for this sticky!

I feel like we should be doing a quiet feeding at bedtime, but we end up just sitting in the recliner with her, watching some shows. We dim the lights more and it works for us, but maybe it would go even better if we did it in our room or hers. I don't know!

[AbbeysMom]

Thanks for this sticky!

I feel like we should be doing a quiet feeding at bedtime, but we end up just sitting in the recliner with her, watching some shows. We dim the lights more and it works for us, but maybe it would go even better if we did it in our room or hers. I don't know!

We do a quiet feeding in our room right before bedtime, after her bath. We started the routine at about 2 months, and it really helped her understand that it was time for sleep, but the if the TV is on even in the next room its distracting for her and gets her riled up anyway, kwim?.

[melypelon]

how offten is it ok to feed the baby i know that with bf is on demand but what about formula is it the same thing ?? beacuse my lil man is about a month n half n he started wih 2 0z n is now at 4 but some dyas he dosent get full n i give him 2 extra oz so is it ok or will it cause him problems

[scrapper05]

how offten is it ok to feed the baby i know that with bf is on demand but what about formula is it the same thing ?? beacuse my lil man is about a month n half n he started wih 2 0z n is now at 4 but some dyas he dosent get full n i give him 2 extra oz so is it ok or will it cause him problems

You'll be just fine doing what you're doing! You feed on demand with formula too. It's no magic BF only technique. :winks: Feed your baby when he's hungry. You're doing great!

[AbbeysMom]

You'll be just fine doing what you're doing! You feed on demand with formula too. It's no magic BF only technique. :winks: Feed your baby when he's hungry. You're doing great!

ITA! Especially when they are that little:)

[melypelon]

thanks a lot i tought i was gonna get him milk high lol thats a load taken of i dont see alot os ff here why????

[momof4girls]

http://www.handi-craft.com/home.html

i can't bf so bottle feed it is. I used regular bottles with my oldest three but with Lily she had reflux. I tell you what! these bottles are the best! They keep air from entering the belly causing discomfort, gas and colic. They are super easy to clean, put together. they cost a little more but they work!!

Also Enfamil has a new formula my ped. is recommending (i asked cause in about 6 months we'll start stocking up lol) and he said this is the best, closest thing to breast you are going to get.

https://www.enfamil.com/app/iwp/enfamil/enfHome.do?dm=enf&ls=0&csred=1&r=3429740372

it's the new premium! it's got the regular breast milk stuff (vitamins and such that your body produces) but it's got a lot more as well :) so it's the closest to breast milk out of all the formulas. good start i think has one too but i tend to go with enfamil (i have wic)


And with bottle feeding you do want to monitor how much they get. the doctor will want to know. I think it's more to make sure they are getting what they need. and i put my daughters on a feeding schedule. but the schedule changed and was done by the baby. if you follow their patterns they'll be fine and you won't go crazy :) bonding and bottle feeding does happen. She's 100% right just like with bf make it time for just you and the baby. everything else (but other children of course) gets ignored. I always hold them up on my chest same position breast feeding moms use. Simply it's the most natural for them, fights gas and colic and lets you bond better. Remember newborns don't see any farther than your face in this position and you want her/him to see you too!

[Jodi_P]

To bond further with my children while bottle feeding, especially for the quiet nighttime feedings, I would take off or lift up my shirt so the baby could feel the warmth of Mama even more.

[jade-e-bug]

WOW...Great info!

[kynliod]

One thing I do, and find her feeds are less distracted when I do this...I tuck Megans arm(the one that is closest to my body) around me, behind my back. This wraps her into my body so she feels close and I feel close to her.



I did this as well. We weren't able to BF because of my medication, and also because our son had a cleft palate. This position made feedings a really snugly, close time that we really loved.

[justonelady]

You'll be just fine doing what you're doing! You feed on demand with formula too. It's no magic BF only technique. :winks: Feed your baby when he's hungry. You're doing great!

Right on! :clap: Im SOO glad there are moms out there who have my thinking.For Gods sake,feed your baby when he/shes hungry.Seems like such a simple concept but I hear too often how much one "thinks" or 'should" be eating at X amount of wks,moths etc.Both my DS were big newborns & 2-4 oz just didnt cut.For as much as a I wanted to follow the norm.,considering my babies were sucking down 8 oz of milk every 3 hrs,I felt the need to break the mold.I found that just feeding him more formula not only didnt satisfy him,he just wound up with a case of ongoing diareahh(sp?).So cereal was added after 6 wks. After that his bowels & overall happiness were great.I say to pay attention to instinct & not the statistics.:winks: