We all know that breast milk is the best and most complete food for your newborn baby. But sometimes, for one reason or another, not every mother can provide enough breast milk for her baby. In such cases, in addition to breast milk, formula is needed to provide the necessary nutrition for the baby's growth. I think it will be very important for you to talk about this.
Why does a baby need to start formula?
Sometimes your baby may not get enough nutrition from breast milk alone. Especially in the first few days after birth, there are times when your baby may not get enough milk. This can be for a number of reasons. It could be because your baby is sick, is underweight, or is not latching on properly.
If you think you are not producing enough breast milk, the first thing to do is to talk to your doctor . He or she can advise you on ways to increase your breast milk supply. However, if you are still not getting enough milk, it is important to know exactly how and when to start giving formula to your baby.
How do I start giving formula?
Okay, so let's see how to do this exactly. If you are starting formula because your breast milk is not enough, you can introduce bottle feeding. The best way is to breastfeed your baby first, then give him some expressed breast milk, and finally give him enough formula to make up for the lack of milk.
This is how to make powdered milk.
When making powdered milk, you need to follow these steps exactly.
- Wash your hands thoroughly: Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap before handling your baby's bottles. This is very important.
- Clean the bottle: Make sure the bottle and nipple are thoroughly washed and sterilized before feeding your baby.
- No need to heat: You don't need to heat formula before giving it to your baby. You can give it at room temperature. But if you do need to heat it, heat the bottle of formula by placing it in a bowl of hot water. Never heat it in a microwave. When heated like that, the milk can become hot in some places (hot spots) and burn the baby's mouth and throat.
- How to mix powdered milk: Use clean, safe water to mix powdered milk. It is best to use boiled water. Be sure to read the instructions on the powdered milk packet carefully and use the correct amount of water and powdered milk as directed.
The general advice is not to mix breast milk and formula in the same bottle. If you do, your precious breast milk will be wasted if your baby doesn't finish it. Also, some research has found that mixing breast milk and formula can have a small impact on your baby's absorption of nutrients like protein, zinc, calcium, and phosphorus. So, it's best to alternate between breast milk and formula.
However, if your baby doesn't like the taste of formula and refuses to drink it, you can try mixing a little formula with some expressed breast milk in the first few days. That way, your baby will gradually get used to the new taste. After that, you can start giving it alternately again.
Will there be a change in baby's 'cough' when they start formula?
This is a problem that many mothers have. Babies' digestive systems are very sensitive. So after starting to give formula, you will notice a change in your baby's stools, or 'poo'. Their color, consistency, and the number of times they pass stools per day may change. This is normal. However, if your baby is having difficulty passing stools, or is constipated, you should definitely talk to your doctor.
How to choose the right types of milk powder for your baby?
There are several types of formula that can be given in addition to breast milk. But you need to be very careful when choosing these. Not every type of formula is suitable for every baby.
| Type of Formula | Description and who is it suitable for? |
|---|---|
| Cow's milk-based formula | This is the most common type of formula recommended for a baby's first feeding. It is suitable for most babies. |
| Lactose-free formula | This is given to babies who cannot digest the lactose sugar in milk (lactose intolerance). It should only be given on medical advice. |
| Anti-reflux formula | A thickened formula given to babies who continue to vomit (reflux) after drinking milk. Should only be given on medical advice. |
| Hypoallergenic formula | A special type of formula given to babies who are allergic to cow's milk. It is only given if recommended by a doctor. |
| Soy formula | This type of milk powder, made from soybeans, can also be used for babies who are allergic to cow's milk. However, it should be given to babies over 6 months of age and only on medical advice. |
Therefore, it is wise to talk to your doctor and decide which type of formula is best and most suitable for your baby.
Types of milk that should never be given to babies
Not all types of milk are good for babies. Giving the wrong type of milk can cause serious health problems for the baby. Although many types of formula are based on cow's milk, it is not advisable to give fresh cow's milk directly to babies under one year of age . Also, do not give the following types of milk to babies.
- Dried milk (for adults)
- Tincture (Condensed milk)
- Goat's milk
- Cow's milk
Remember, this refers to giving these types of milk directly as a drink to babies under one year old. Sometimes, on the advice of pediatricians, small amounts are allowed to be used in preparing baby food after 6 months. But be sure to ask your doctor about that too.
Take-Home Message
- When you start giving your baby formula, it can affect the amount of breast milk your body produces. Because when your baby sucks less, your milk production also decreases.
- After getting used to bottle feeding, some babies may refuse to breastfeed. This can happen especially in the first few weeks.
- Therefore, if possible, introducing the baby to a bottle after breastfeeding is well established (after about 3-4 weeks) can reduce the impact of breastfeeding.
- Finally, the most important thing is to always talk to your pediatrician before starting formula or switching to a different type of formula.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න