Is it Ok to Bottle Feed a Newborn?

Newborns should only be nursed directly from their mothers’ breasts, but if that doesn’t work for any reason, you can bottle-feed your newborn with infant formula. This milk is considered safe for your little one and the only milk recommended by experts.

Before bottle-feeding a newborn, there are several things you should be aware of:

* Be sure to keep bottles at room temperature (ideally between 98.6 and 106 degrees Fahrenheit). Germs can grow quickly in warm or hot environments, so give your newborn’s bottles a thorough rinse before using them for their first time.

* When giving your baby a bottle, use a slow flow of milk to prevent them from drinking too much. This varies based on the age of your infant; thus, it may take some trial and error before finding what works best for them.

Be mindful of hunger cues that your baby might be getting hungry, such as gumming on their hands, sucking on their tongue or rooting and opening their mouth. If they aren’t getting enough food or liquids, they may become fussy and refuse the bottle.

Bottle-fed babies typically need 6-8 feeds a day, so it’s essential to watch for hunger cues so that you can provide them only as much formula or breastmilk as they require.

* Feed your baby as often as they need to drink, but not when they’re starving or feeling particularly worked up. This way, they won’t feel compelled to refuse the bottle and won’t perceive it as punishment for not drinking enough.

For the initial few feeds, try keeping the bottle at an angle so your baby has to suck to get all of their milk out. This helps them learn when they’re full and helps ensure the bottle lasts longer.

Once your baby has learned that the bottle nipple is the source of milk, you can adjust its angle. This is essential for young babies as they require control over how much liquid comes out to avoid overfeeding, according to Murphy.

You can adjust the flow of nipples by tipping the bottle. This can make your baby feel more contented and reduce time spent finishing their bottle, which is important for their growing bodies.

If your baby is having difficulty accepting the bottle, ask a family member or friend to try it for you. Doing this can help avoid getting frustrated which may aggravate your baby and make them resistant in the future to taking a drink of water from a bottle.

Talking with a speech language pathologist or lactation consultant about improving your infant’s bottle-feeding ability is another option. They can offer tips for altering the routine and suggest products that might assist. Furthermore, they’ll teach you how to monitor your infant’s satiety levels and send them clear signals when it’s time for another feeding.