What are the Do's and Dont's for bottlefeeding?

Question

im a new parent dont know too much and kinda on my own about making decisions about my baby, so can anyone tell me what to do with breastmilk and formula and how to store it and when to feed, because i am so lost. No stupid answers

Answer 1

breastmilk is the best way to go..
Learning how to pump and store breast milk can make returning to work easier and less stressful. It does require some work, but if you have a plan, it can be done.


When should I start to pump my breasts?

If you will be pumping your breasts, practice for 1 or 2 weeks before you go back to work. You can try pumping just after your baby eats, or you can pump your breasts between feedings.

Practicing at home will help you learn how your pump works. During this time, you also can start to collect and store breast milk to be fed to your baby when you return to work.


How much milk will I get when I pump?

You may not get much milk when you first start pumping. After a few days of regular pumping, your breasts will begin to make more milk.



How long should I pump each time?

Pumping your breasts takes about the same time as breastfeeding, but with practice and a good pump, you can pump your breasts in as little as 10 to 15 minutes. While you are at work, try to pump as often as your baby usually feeds. To keep up your milk supply, give your baby extra feedings when you are together.


Will there be times that my baby will need more milk?

Yes, your baby will probably want more milk during growth spurts. The best way to increase your milk supply for a growth spurt is to breastfeed or pump more often.


How should I store my breast milk?

Breast milk can be stored in a plastic or glass bottle with a sealable top, or in a sterile, sealable bag. Store your breast milk in amounts that you use every day to avoid wasting it. For example, if your baby eats 4 ounces in a feeding, put 4 ounces of breast milk in the storage container.


Where should I store my breast milk?

Pumped breast milk should be cooled in a refrigerator or other cooler as soon as possible. The milk can also be frozen if you aren't going to use it right away.


How long can I store my breast milk?

The following are some general breast milk storage guidelines:
At room temperature (less than 77°F) for 4 to 8 hours
At the back of a refrigerator for 3 to 8 days
At the back of a freezer for up to 3 months


The breast milk I have in my refrigerator looks funny. Is something wrong?

Breast milk can vary in color. It can be blueish, yellowish or brownish. It is also normal for breast milk to separate (the fatty part of the milk goes to the top). Shake the bottle or sealed bag, and the fat will go back into the milk.


How should I thaw frozen breast milk?

Thaw the milk slowly by swirling the container of milk in warm water or by putting the container in the refrigerator the day before it is to be used. Don't use hot water to thaw breast milk. Never thaw frozen breast milk in a microwave oven. The milk could get too hot and burn your baby. Microwaving can also destroy valuable proteins in breast milk.

Thawed breast milk can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours, but it should not be refrozen.




I say never prop a bottle! and to warm it up you can use a microwave, stove, or run warm water over the bottle test it on you wrist and the after a week or 2 you`ll be able to tell by how warm the bottle is or how long you warmed it up.. i say go with platex air bottles they cut out on the gas.. good luck and congrates

Answer 2

With formula you have a few choices. You can get the ready-to-feed, which comes in 32oz containers. You just keep it in the fridge once you open it, pour it into the bottle as needed and heat it up. Only downsides are the price and the fact that a very new newborn might not finish the 32oz in the 48 hours from the time you open it up.

Concentrate formula comes in 13oz cans and gets mixed with 13oz of water in a container. Or you can pour some concentrate into the bottle and then put in equal water. Again, it has to be used pretty quickly, but the can costs less and makes 26oz total.

Powder you can either make it one bottle at a time, or make a pitcher of how much you'll use in a day. You use 1 scoop of powder to 2oz of water. It's the cheapest, more convenient if you're traveling since you can just bring powder and water, but a little more work.

Whichever you use, the "rules" are that you shouldn't heat it in the microwave, you have to toss it an hour after they started eating, and you have to toss whatever they don't finish from the bottle. Personally, I ALWAYS use the microwave. A 4oz bottle gets about 20 seconds in my microwave, 15 seconds in my in-laws microwave, just enough to take the chill off. I shake it afterwards to make sure that there's no uneven hot spots. I've been known to go a little past that magical hour mark, maybe stretch it to 90 minutes. And I always put the leftover back in the fridge as long as it hasn't been out over an hour. We have a 2-use rule in our house. The first time you can put the bottle back in the fridge and then add fresh formula to it. After the second use it has to be dumped.

Newborns usually need to eat every couple of hours, and will take 2-3oz. Some take more, some take less. Some eat more or less often. You'll figure it out. If you start with 2oz bottles and they always finish the whole thing, then make a bigger bottle. If you make a 4oz bottle and they only take 3oz, then plan accordingly. When both of my kids were newborns, they ate pretty much any time they woke up. It was a constant cycle of sleep, eat, cry for a while, sleep, eat, etc.

And relax, you'll figure it out! If you are worried you can always call the dr. Good luck!

Answer 3

Don't worry, everyone has to learn as they go on this one. First make sure your bottles are really clean. Keep the milk or formula in the frig. You can make up a day ahead. I used to always make up mine the night before for 5-6 bottles, so they would be ready when I needed them. Until the baby is 6 mo old slightly warm the milk, microwave is fine. Drop a few drops on the inside of your wrist before you give it to the baby. A confortable temp on your wrist is safe for the baby. Over hot can burn them, too cold can cause a belly ache. BE SURE to burp them after 2 ozs. Your baby will let you know when he/shes hungary. Try to coax a little extra each feeding so they won't be so demanding, getting them on a schedule requires persistance on your part. Let them fuss a bit before you feed them or they will just take 2 sips and go back to sleep...then be fussing again in 20 minutes. Don't lay your baby in a bed with the bottle till they are old enough to hold it, it's not safe. Take time to enjoy this time with your baby, it is the bonding time. Happy babies are those who have been held and cuddled. Congratulation!

Answer 4

I have a link below for the storage of breastmilk. I really can't answer anything about formula (sorry!) All I can say, other than the link that I posted, is that you should NEVER prop a bottle. Always stop and feed your baby, holding them and the bottle.

Answer 5

well every baby is different but newborns usually eat every 2-4 hours at first. store it in a container with a lid don't let it stay in More than 2 days and make sure you don't put the can in the fridge if you use cans that is

Answer 6

there is not any longer something incorrect with bottle feeding. sure, breast is maximum suitable and you ought to a minimum of supply it a bypass yet you ought to no longer sense to blame if it would not artwork out. they're going to help you with breastfeeding in the well-being facility or perhaps make it easier to refer to a lactation representative in case you desire. opportunities are high, your infant will latch suited on with none problems although. i could no longer breastfeed my first because of the fact of a project i replace into having with blood in my breasts. I felt undesirable approximately it for a whilst, on the grounds that I went directly to breastfeed my different 2. i be attentive to this although, she is healthful, merely approximately never gets ill and would not have any allergies.. and he or she is particularly clever. Breastfeeding is maximum suitable, yet the two will nourish your baby.

Answer 7

Breastfeeding is the way to go. The milk is always the perfect temperature, sterile and you never have to run to the store in the middle of the night!-) Plus the containers are so cute;-)