One of the most important processes a baby goes through is getting their daily requirement of nutrition. When you introduce them to formula, you may have apprehensions with regards to your breastfeeding relationship with the baby. This is because apart from giving their daily nutrition, it also makes sure you strengthen the bond you have with them. However, do not forget to use a baby feeding pillow for the purpose.
Every mother and baby pair is different and as a mom, you should know yours and your baby’s needs the best. As long as they're fed well and loved, they’ll attach to you securely, with no care about where the food comes from.
If you’re making the transition to bottle-feeding from breastfeeding, with or without formula, you can begin by introducing a bottle of milk once a day, when they’re 4 to 6 weeks old. In order to know exactly how much milk to give, you can go with the general rule of thumb which advocates feeding the baby 2.5x their body weight in ounces.
Recognizing hunger cues -
If the child is old enough to say the words, “Pass the bottle,” it can be too late. You need to identify the cues and then slowly wean them off breastfeeding. This can be anything from them licking their lips while their head cocks back and forth or sucking on certain things, like their fingers.
Another sign is called “rooting,” where newborns turn their heads in small arcs to find out who or what stroked their mouth.
How to choose the right bottle -
You can choose a nipple for a bottle based on the age of the baby - Stage 1 is for newborns, Stage 2 is for children who are 3 to 6 months old, and stage 3 is for children who are 6 months and above.
These are the general guidelines to help you buy feeding bottles and it can come to a situation where it can take up to 6 months to move to Stage 2. This occurs generally when the breastfeeding babies are making the transition to bottles.
Another thing to notice is the milk flow, especially for children who are younger than 3 months and you’ll need to feed them once in a while and figure it out through trial and error.
It’s best to get a nutritionist’s advice before execution..
With these tips in mind, you can start making changes to the way your child is feeding. By creating a transition towards bottle feeding, you make it easier for them, and make your life much more convenient. It’s important that you do it organically, so it’s a smooth transition for all.
