How to prepare for feeding your baby before baby comes

Have you thought a lot about how to feed your soon-to-be baby? This basic act is surprisingly more complicated than you would think and planning is key. So, we’re here to help! Use the simple tips below to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances and create a roadmap for success — which will be a helpful resource in those early, sleep-deprived days:

If you can, plan to breastfeed for at least the first 8 days. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for the first year and we support that recommendation. But it can be an overwhelming commitment for many moms, so we encourage you to take it one step at a time. The very first feedings are especially important. Mother’s milk changes over time and the “first milk” as a very unique constitution specifically suited for newborns. Colostrum has high levels of nutrients like protein and carbohydrates, large numbers of antibodies and leukocytes to help protect against harmful viruses and bacteria, and even natural probiotics to help establish a healthy digestive tract. All of this and more is highly concentrated in colostrum, so newborn babies reap a lot of benefits from just a little bit of food. These early frequent feedings are critical in helping to establish mom’s milk supply. Additionally, the first 8 days appear to be a critical window,Babies are setting their internal sense of how much is ‘normal’ for them to eat. Too much, or too little can lead to lifelong impacts. Thankfully, breastfeeding typically leads to the right amount and pacing during that first week. You are designed to provide just what your baby needs! With formula-fed babies, you’ll need to be more attentive to not over- or underfeed.

If you know you’ll be bottle-feeding, get your gear in advance. Many hospitals have freebie formula and even Baby Feeding Bottles from major manufacturers, but there are safer options.Choose Glass Baby Bottle ,  stainless steel baby bottle, or safe plastic bottles like those made from polypropylene.( PP baby bottle ) Also, opt for organic formula or even breast milk from a breast milk bank.

Have a Plan B. Life is full of unexpected surprises and you certainly don’t want to be caught off guard when it comes to feeding your baby. Consider a couple of what-ifs: What if your baby is premature? How and what will you feed your baby in the neonatal intensive care unit ? What if something happens to you and you’re unable to breastfeed or feed your child at all? Does your significant other know about organic formula and breast milk banks?Take classes. You’ve probably considered childbirth education, but also look into newborn parenting classes, breastfeeding classes, and La Leche League meetings. The more informed and empowered you are, the more likely you’ll successfully fulfill your feeding goals.

Find out what your hospital or birthing center’s postpartum protocols are and how they address first feedings. How hands-on and informed are their nurses when it comes to breastfeeding? Do they allow immediate skin-to-skin contact? What about if a C-Section is necessary? Is there an on-site lactation consultant to assist you during those first days?

Have a clear birth plan and someone in attendance who will advocate for you and your wishes. Go beyond a basic birth plan and make sure your wishes are clear in regards to some of those “what if” possibilities mentioned earlier.

The more empowered you are, the more successful you’ll be during first feedings.Set up a support system. A lactation consultant can be invaluable. Look for an IBCLC – International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s pediatrician for supportive advice. Identify friends and family who have weathered these experiences before (both breastfeeding and bottle-feeding) and put them on speed dial. It takes a village!

Keep this in mind, too: How you feed your baby does not define what type of parent you are. It’s an extremely emotional and personal experience. There is no right or wrong way, so if it doesn’t always work out how you envisioned, it’s okay. We’re all for putting judgement, preconceptions, and guilt aside and just focusing on loving our babies!

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Breastfeeding Tips

Breastfeeding Tips

The number one tip is to try to relax (easier said than done I know, but remember this is a learning curve for you and your new baby!)

1. Position yourself comfortably; that could be with back support, pillows supporting your arms and in your lap and your feet supported by a footrest or a big book, it is whatever works for you. A feed can take anything from ten to sixty minutes.

2. Have a drink close to hand, it’s thirsty work.

3. Hold the baby with the opposite arm to the breast from which you intend to offer. Support baby’s head and shoulders with your hand and his body along your forearm. He should be facing the breast without needing to turn his head. You would not eat a meal with your head turned.

3. With his nose in line with your nipple, and from the direction that your nipple points, encourage him to open his mouth wide, by gently stroking his top lip with your nipple.

4. Now this is where you need to be confident, once he opens his mouth, quickly tilt his head back and move his chin towards the nipple. Once it touches the areola, scoop it and the nipple in to his mouth. Imagine baby is a coat hooking onto a coat peg. This will allow him to fill his mouth with the areola and stimulate him to feed correctly. Support his back (rather than the back of his head) so that his chin burrows into your breast. His nose will be touchingyour breast.

5. Breast feeding is PAIN FREE . If you are feeling pain for more than 10 seconds detach baby gently and try again. The pain is a definite sign something isn’t right so you must start again. Occasionally when baby first latches on there is a ‘toe curling’ pain but it should ease within a 10 second time frame. This was the one piece of information I didn’t get when I was trying to feed my 2nd child and I suffered for a long time. I ‘ put up’ with it because she needed food, but what I didn’t realise was she was traumatising my nipples to the point of bleeding and being extremely painful. This made me reluctant to feed her, she wasn’t feeding properly and therefore not getting enough milk. This led to her wanting to feed more frequently, establishing the wrong technique which caused more pain…….and so the cycle continued.

You know you are getting it right when: manual breast pump

1. It doesn’t hurt.

2. He lies still during a feed.

3. You can hear and see active swallowing, your midwife can point this out to you during the early days as it does take some practice to spot.

4. His lips are curled back with his nose buried in the breast.

5. At the end of a feed he will come off the on his own and is relaxed.

6. A feed should last between 20 and 60 minutes.

7. In a 24 hr period you should have at least 6 wet and 2 dirty nappies.

Using a breast pump can help you if you need some help.

TIPS FOR BETTER BOTTLE FEEDING

Your baby’s meals have valuable nutrition that makes weight gain, brain growth, and a ton of other important physiologic functions they need to thrive possible. Some breastfeed and others bottle feed; some use formula and others use expressed breastmilk. When it comes to creating positive feeding experiences, it’s not only what they eat, but also how they eat. We may think that a baby bottle is self-explanatory, but there’s just as much to learn about feeding from a Baby Feeding Bottle as there is from a breast!

The classic bottle feeding method, in which baby is reclined and the bottle is tipped back so that air bubbles do not form, can often result in more stress than satisfaction for your baby. Milk drips out constantly when a bottle is held upside-down, even in slow flow nipples . This means that baby has to keep swallowing to avoid choking, even if they’re not ready, too tired, aren’t hungry, or just want a break.Caregivers often don’t recognize the signs of a stressful feeding experience, so we’re here to help.

Here are signs of stress you want to avoid:
Pushing the bottle away
Gulping/coughing with startled look
Splayed fingers and toes
Milk spilling from corners of the mouth
Turning head away from baby milk Bottle

Here’s a few simple tips to help keep babies happy while gulping down the goodness they need:
Hold baby upright (sitting) rather than reclining to help him control the flow of milk.
Touch the nipple to his bottom lip and wait for him to open his mouth(do not force the nipple in his mouth). When baby takes the nipple into his mouth, his position should be upright enough that the bottle should be almost horizontal. Tip the bottle just enough to fill the nipple with milk.Check mouth placement:
Look for fish lips (upper and lower lips sealed around nipple and rolled slightly outward)
Little or no milk should leak from mouth
Note the rhythm of baby swallowing, which should happen after every 1-3 sucks. It’s natural for baby to pause about every 20 seconds. When this happens, you can tip the nipple towards the roof of baby’s mouth (since milk will continue to drip out) until baby starts to suck again.
Switch sides during feeds to allow for stimulation to both sides of the body (including the eyes, arms, brain and more).
Baby should appear relaxed during feedings (hands and body at ease, eyes looking at you).glass baby feeding bottles

 

A few things to avoid:

Don’t prop a bottle: Babies should always be watched while they’re feeding.
Don’t force your baby to finish a bottle, follow their physical cues instead.
Don’t feed your baby while he’s facing away from you. Feeding time is just as crucial for social interactions as it is nutrition. Encourage engagement by making eye contact and talking with your baby.
Don’t put anything other than breastmilk or formula in the bottle unless directed by your baby’s physician.
With all this in mind, remember that the most important thing is to relax and enjoy this time together. These moments are precious for you, too. The gaze in your baby’s eyes, the sounds of his cooing, the sweetness of his satisfied sleep — these will feed your memories for a long time to come.

How to warm up bottles

How to warm up bottles

The safest way to heat a Baby Feeding Bottle is to heat the milk while it’s in the bottle. This can be done in two ways:

Place the BABY MILK BOTTLE in a jug full of hot or boiling water. Leave it for several minutes and then remove. Don’t leave it for too long, otherwise it will be too hot for your baby.
Buy a dedicated bottle warmer. These are great for getting your baby’s milk to the right temperature and can also be used to heat up food.
It is recommended that you avoid using a microwave to heat up baby milk. Microwaves heat food unevenly, so one part of the milk maybe warm but another might be scorching hot. The super high temperatures may even destroy some of the valuable nutrients in the milk.

When you have warmed your baby's bottle , test the temperature of the milk by squirting a little on to your inner wrist. The skin on your wrist is more sensitive than other parts, so it is a good indicator for temperatures. The milk on your skin should feel warm, not hot.

About Teats

About Teats
Teats are usually supplied with baby bottles and are commonly made out of either silicone teat or latex teat.

Silicone nipples are durable and more suitable for older babies whilst latex teats are softer and therefore perfect for new-borns who have sensitive gums.

Flow rate is an important consideration if you are buying your first bottle or need to replace a damaged teat. Flow rate controls how much milk is allowed to pass through the teat, and as your child grows, they will need a faster flow rate to satisfy their hunger. On the teat you will see tiny holes; the higher the flow rate, the more holes there will be.

When to change a Teat?
Teats should be changed immediately if any of the following occurs:

- Stickiness or swelling — a sign that the teat is deteriorating.
-Milk pours out in a stream. Liquid should drip slowly from the teat. If it gushes out then the teat holes are too big.
- Thinning — this is an early sign that the teat is weakening. To test a teats strength, pull hard on the bulb. The teat should rebound into its original shape. If it doesn’t, throw away the teat .

- Discoloration —a sign that the teat is deteriorating

-Cracks, tears, or breaks — pieces of the teat could break off and become a choking hazard.