Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Baby Formula - Benefits of the Bottle


There has been much debate over whether breastfeeding or formula is best for baby. While breastfeeding is healthier, it is also time consuming and less sociably acceptable in today’s society. This trend is always changing it seems like from year to year. So with much debate, there are still some benefits that come from bottle feedings. Let's face it, if you’re a single mom and your baby is in day care it’s just easier to bottle feed. So here are some of the benefits that go along with bottle feedings.

- Public feedings tend to be easier. You don't get those disapproving looks from people while breastfeeding in a public place. A bottle is easier than breastfeeding in public, less embarrassing for other people as well as the mother, who has a lot to worry about, while feeding her baby in a public place.

-Feeding the baby is less time consuming. When bottle feeding your baby it can take up to 10 to 15 minutes where breastfeeding can take up to that long but on each side, taking up to twice as long than bottle feeding, and when a newborn is eating every 2 to 4 hours it can seem like all your doing is breastfeeding your baby. So if you don't have a lot of time bottle feeding can help you out.

- Anyone can feed your baby formula, unlike breastfeeding where the mother is the only one that can feed baby, until baby starts solids. This can help involve the father of the baby as well, unlike the breastfeed baby who can only eat from mom unless she expresses milk. The dad can now share in the responsibility of feeding baby, this helping mom get more sleep, because they can trade off feedings. Also a babysitter, grandparent’s siblings whoever can feed baby as well.
-It is easy to see how much baby is eating. When breastfeeding many moms are concerned that baby is not getting enough to eat. They can not see the intake, so this is a big concern when it comes to breastfeeding. The bottle feed baby doesn't have that problem, the mom can see just how much the little bundle of joy is eating this easing her worry of her baby eating enough to grow.

-Bottle feed babies don't need to eat as often, the bottle fed baby eats once every three to four hours depending on the baby, opposed to the breastfed baby who needs to eat every 2 hrs. The milk protein in formula keeps baby full and satisfied longer.

-Bottle fed mothers don't have to watch what they eat, they can take medicine, or have a few drinks at dinner, and not have to worry about it harming baby. The breast fed mother cannot, she can't drink caffeine or drink alcohol or take medicine because that all goes thought to the baby.

-The bottle fed mom can diet as soon as the baby is born while the breast fed mother cannot she still needs to eat for two, she needs to eat more fatty things to ensure her milk keeps coming in.

10 Tips for Easing Reflux When Feeding Baby Formula Milk


As much as 50 percent of all healthy babies have reflux at some stage. Reflux is less common in babies that are exclusively breastfed as breast milk is more hypoallergenic and is digested twice as fast as formula milk. But for mothers who bottle feed their baby, there are a few simple steps that will greatly ease, or stop altogether, reflux during feeding.

1. Clothing
Tight clothing, especially round the tummy can make reflux worse, therefore make sure the clothing is loose and has elastic waists, if possible. Change diapers before feeding and not after, on a full tummy.

2. Feeding Position
Feed your baby in an upright position. Hold you baby upright for at least thirty minutes after feeds to help reduce reflux. This allows gravity to work at holding the food in their tummies. As well, after feeding, try to keep them as motionless as possible for at least thirty minutes after feeding.

3. Don't Rush The Feed
Don't rush. Slow down the feed. Pause a little and then resume feeding.

4. Don't Overfeed.
Smaller more frequent feeds throughout the day can alleviate reflux. Also, avoid feeding your baby just before bedtime.

5. Burping
Stopping to burp your baby frequently (at least after every ounce) during feedings can help. Also, after the feed, don't forget to burp, keep your baby in an upright position (Tip 2).

6. Thickening
Try thickened milk feeds. The added weight of cereal in the formula milk helps to keep the food from splashing around in your baby's tummy and helps keep it down.

7. Avoid Certain Foods
If your baby has a milk allergy or sensitivity then soy based or hypoallergenic will likely help the reflux improve. Certain foods make reflux worse. Avoid whole milk, chocolate milk, tomatoes, and citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruit and pineapple. Anything prepared with whole milk or high-fat such as cold cuts, sausage, bacon, fatty meat. Avoid all animal or vegetable oils, chocolate, carbonated beverages, chicken, beef, milk, or cream-based soups.

8. Changing Formula
Changing infant formula might help. If your baby has a milk allergy or sensitivity then soy based or hypoallergenic will likely help the reflux improve. As well, hypoallergenic formulas are pre-digested (either partially or completely) so they tend to move through the stomach faster than standard formulas. Moving food out of the stomach faster can be beneficial for two reasons. If the baby is a picky eater it may help them get hungry again faster. It also means the food isn't sitting around in the stomach waiting to be refluxed. Only change formula after consulting your doctor.

9. Using a Pacifier After Feeding
Giving your baby a pacifier to suck on after feeding increases saliva production. Saliva is alkaline which can help neutralize some of the acid that may come up.

10. Sleeping after a feed
Discuss sleeping your baby on his tummy with your paediatrician. Although sleeping on the back is recommended in order to reduce the risk of SIDS babies with severe Gastro-esophageal reflux benefit from sleeping on their tummy. Only do this under doctor's orders.

As stated above, most babies will experience reflux at some stage and most will overcome it all by themselves. By following the above 10 tips, you can help reduce reflux when feeding your baby infant formula. If the symptoms continue and are causing your baby discomfort then your first point of call should be to discuss the mater with your doctor.