How Should You Feed Your New Infant?

by Connie Limon

A lot of people “think” infant formula is as good as breast milk. There are also a growing number of people who are becoming increasingly uncomfortable with mothers breast-feeding their infants in public. Quite frankly a woman’s breasts were created primarily as the main source of nutrition for human infants. However, throughout our times a woman’s breasts have become more of a “sex object” than as their true purpose of nurturing human infants. This may be one reason why so many people are uncomfortable seeing a woman baring her breasts to provide her infant with daily meals. The sight of a woman’s breast often creates “sexual arousal” for a lot of people. Most people just don’t think of a woman’s breasts as “baby bottles.”

Findings continue to indicate there is a need to educate the general public that breast-feeding is the best method of feeding and nurturing infants. The next best choice is cow’s milk-based infant formula. When choosing a commercial formula, use a brand recommended by your baby’s doctor. Do not try to create your own baby formula.

Health experts recommend infants be breast fed for at least a year, and receive breast milk alone until they reach six months of age. There are few people who breast feed continue breast-feeding until one year of age.

The decision to breastfeed is not always possible for every woman. The decision to breastfeed or formula feed your baby should be based upon your comfort level with breastfeeding and your lifestyle. If you decide to feed your baby a commercially prepared formula rest assured that your baby’s nutritional needs will be met. You will still bond with your baby.

One of the happiest times of my life was when I was feeding my only child her bottle. It was always a time of bonding for us. We made constant eye contact the entire time she nursed. I now raise Shih Tzu puppies, and I am certain this is a compensation for those unforgettable moments with my own baby daughter. What a thrill it was to watch her as she finished the entire bottle. I felt like jumping and doing a big hooray cheer when she was finished because I felt so comfortable now she was well nourished and nurtured. The bottle feeding times with my only child were some of the most emotionally complete moments of my life. She was the sweetest baby ever! The bonding is the same with bottle feeding as my own personal opinion and experience.

Some of the advantages of breast feeding are:

• Infection-fighting such as ear infections, diarrhea, respiratory infections and meningitis. Breast milk contributes to the infant’s immune system by increasing barriers to infection and decreasing the growth of organisms like bacteria and viruses.

• Breastfeeding is particularly beneficial for premature babies

• Breastfeeding may protect children against allergies, asthma, diabetes, obesity and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

• Breast milk is easily digested by a newborn’s immature digestive system. Breast milk is often called the “perfect food” for a human baby’s digestive system.

• Breast milk naturally contains all the vitamins and minerals that a newborn requires.

• Breast milk is FREE.

• Women who breastfeed are less likely to have to take time off from work to care for their sick babies.

• Convenience: There are no bottles to mix and sterilize and no last-minute runs to the store for more formula. Breast milk is always fresh, available and the right temperature.

• Some studies show breast fed babies for at least 6 months have higher IQs than children who were formula fed.

Some Disadvantages of Breast feeding are:

• For some mothers it is easy from the start, for others it is difficult. Both baby and mother need plenty of patience and persistence to get used to the routine of breastfeeding. All the effort is often worth it in the long run.

• Personal comfort: Many mothers feel uncomfortable with breastfeeding. To overcome the discomforts seek out adequate education, support and practice.

• Latch-on pain is normal for the first week to 10 days and should last less than a minute with each feeding. If breastfeeding hurts throughout feedings, or if nipples and/or breasts are sore, seek the advice of your doctor. Many times it is just a matter of using the proper technique.

• You will need to limit caffeine intake during breastfeeding.

Types of commercial formulas:

• Powder (the least expensive)
• Liquid conentrate (requires dilution)
• Premixed ready-to-feed (the most expensive, but most convenient)
• Soy-based formula (if your baby is lactose-intolerant).

Always check the expiration date on the formula before you purchase and prepare your baby’s bottle.

Infant formula is made to contain many of the same nutrients and components found in breast milk. These nutrients include protein, fat, vitamins A,C, D, E, K, iron, calcium and many more.

If you use a liquid or powder formula be sure to read the directions on how much water and formula to use. Follow these directions carefully and measure each time you prepare the formula. Mix the formula with cold water. Heat the bottle to the temperature your baby prefers. If you use water from a well, be sure to boil it before it is used to mix with the formula. You may also use bottled water. Before feeding your baby shake the bottle so the formula mixes evenly with the water. Prepare only enough formula to last a 24 hour period. Discard formula left after this period of time. Never microwave formula.

Glass bottles provide the longest use. If you use glass bottles check the bottle on a regular basis for any chips or cracks that can hurt your baby. There are also plastic and disposable bottles you can use.

Bottle nipples come in several varieties as well as different shapes. Ask your baby’s doctor for a recommendation and try several different types to see which your baby prefers.

You should replace the nipple as needed. Ways to monitor for nipple replacement:

• The formula comes out too quickly.
• The nipple has become discolored
• The nipple has deteriorated in any way. A weakened or damaged nipple is a potential choking hazard.

Other routine chores involved with bottle feeding are:

• Sterilizing the bottles

• Storing formula in your refrigerator. Remembering to discard to formula you do not use within the 24 hour period.

Bottle Feeding Possible Advantages:

• Commercially prepared infant formulas are a nutritious alternative to breast milk and even contain iron.

• Formula is manufactured under sterile conditions and attempted to duplicate mother’s milk. If you bottle feed it is important to use a commercially prepared formula and that you do not try to create your own formula.

• Either parent (or another caregiver) can feed the baby a bottle at any time (although this is also true for women who pump their breast milk).

• Flexibility: Once the bottles are made, mother can leave her baby with a partner or caregiver. There is no need to pump or to schedule work or other obligations and activities around the baby’s feeding schedule.

• No need to find a private place to nurse in public; however you will need to always carry baby’s supplies for making formula.

•Formula digests slower than breast milk, therefore, babies usually need to eat less often than do breastfed babies.

• Mom does not have to worry about the things she eats or drink affecting her baby.

The best plan is to educate yourself as much as possible about both methods and then make your decision.

Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

This article is not meant to replace the advice and guidance of your Medical Care Professional. It is offered as information only. Please consult your Medical Care Professional for all health care issues.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.

Connie Limon. Visit us at http://www.babiesandtoddlers1.com About Babies and Toddlers is a collection of articles all about babies and toddlers available for information, education and FREE reprints to your newsletters, websites or blogs

Article Source: Wellness Article Library

Breastfeeding Vs Bottle Feeding
By Angeline Foong Wai Leng

Give your child the best.

Although most parents know that breast feeding is the best choice, but the
perceived inconvenience, previous attempts failure and lack of knowledge on the
actual advantages that breastmilk have caused many newborns to be denied benefiting
from breastfeeding.

In the beginning, it may be frustrating and may take some effort to get it started
right, but once the perserverance has passed the test, you are on your way to make
a big difference in you and your baby's life.

Breastfeeding creates a special bond between you and your baby. Every mother's milk
has a unique smell to a baby. This enhances bonding between the mother and baby. In
fact this is a great help to promote behavioural development of the baby. Bottle
feeding is merely providing food and even then, not necessarily the best food.
All the right kinds of fat in breastmilk comes in higher quantity but is more
easily absorbable than formula milk. These include Omega fatty acids, such as DHA
and AHA, which enhance your baby's brain and vision development when they needed
most.

Breastmilk contains more carbohydrates compared to formula milk to meet your baby's
needs.

Breastmilk contains less protein than formula milk, but this protein is of a form
that is more digestible for the sensitive stomach. All the protein from breastmilk
can be absorbed by your baby, unlike formula milk.

The proportion of the nutrients, vitamins and minerals in breastmilk changes with
the needs of your growing baby up to 6 months of age. Formula milk proportion stays
the same and are often less easily absorbable.

The amount of water in breast milk is just right to satisfy your baby's thirst,
thus, when you breastfeed your baby, you do not need to give water at all. The
proportion of water in formula milk is dependent on how much you put in.

There are more than a hundred ingredients in breastmilk that cannot be created with
human hands or brain. These are important for your baby's complete development.
The anitbodies in breastmilk help your baby fight against infection. These are
absent in formula milk. Bottle fed babies are more likely to suffer from diarrhea,
ear, lung and urine infections, increases anxiety and visits to the clinic.
The taste of breast milk varies according to the mother's diet while formula milk
taste the same all the time. Thus, breastfed babies are more ready to try new food
during weaning then bottle fed babies.

In the long run, breastfed babies are less likely to develop obesity, high blood
pressure and diabetes when they grow up.

The best part is the mother gets to return back to her pre-pregnant weight more
quickly because more calories are burnt when producing breast milk. Breast feeding
also protects the mother from breast cancer.

Angeline Foong Wai Leng is a mother of 2 boys. She grew up in a family of violence and financial difficulty. During her teenage years, she helped out in child care centre,where she learn several useful tactics in handling children of different ages. Angeline's passion is to help parents realize that understanding their child makes parenting frustration free...and more at http://allaboutyourchild.com

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Infant Feeding: The Bottle-Nipple Tandem

by SWilson

Research and experience will help you choose the right baby bottles and baby bottle nipples suited for your baby’s needs. Bottle-feeding your baby starts with a trial and error scheme. You need to purchase one nipple and bottle styles after another until you find the right tandem for you child’s feeding activity.

The first thing to decide on is the baby bottles. These are made out of three different materials including glass, plastic and those plastics with disposable liners. You can opt for the plastic ones unless you and your baby are made for sequence of travels which will drive you to choose the plastic ones with disposable liners. They also vary in two distinct sizes which are the four ounce and eight ounce sizes. For the size options, babies from zero to three months old could use the four ounce bottles. This will limit you from making excess formula which babies cannot consume and will eventually get contaminated or spoiled. As the baby grows, his milk consumption increases so you could settle for the eight ounce size bottles.

Baby bottles may vary in shape but the real idea is to use the ones that reduce gas problems. You may use bottles with vent on the bottom, reusable bottles with anti-vacuum nipple design, angled bottles that keep nipples filled with milk, and those that have collapsible or disposable nipples. Usually bent baby bottles are advisable for easy handling and avoiding bubbles when sucking yet they are difficult to clean. It does not really matter what size or shape your bottles should be. Again, the best consideration is your convenience and your baby’s needs.

Baby bottle nipples should also be given focus. Size, flexibility and shape are the factors that make a nipple fit for your baby. There is actually no big deal with nipples choice if you have started bottle feeding since birth. Yet, when you chose to switch on to bottle feeding from breastfeeding, you need to be more selective. To avoid confusion, choose nipples that resemble yours. Baby bottle nipples have two colors which indicate the materials they are made of. Latex nipples are usually brown while silicone nipples are clear white. Latex nipples are softer and more flexible for sucking yet are not as durable as the white ones. Moreover, they are more difficult to clean since they are not transparent. Silicone nipples are quite firm and may last longer. You may opt for the latter because they become sticky indicating a need for change.

Nipple holes should be taken into account. Nipples may have holes cut in an X shape or round pricks. Manufacturers have generalized that small holes are intended for newborns while those with big holes are for older infants. However, this generalization may not fit your baby’s standards. Babies vary in sucking and preference for milk flow.

Mothers should always try out every possible option for baby bottles and nipples until they have found what really suits their baby’s needs. In the end, settling for the right nipples and bottles will be rewarding for both the baby and the mother.

Choosing the right baby bottles and baby nipples will ensure a quality feeding experience for your infant. Moreover, using of high quality and well designed bottles and nipples will save you from having to deal with spills caused by leaking and premature wear and tear. It pays to know the materials that the bottles and nipples are made of so that you can make a better decision about which one to buy.

You can find more tips about choosing baby bottles as well as instructions and guides for finding the best baby bottle nipples at Aha! Baby.

Article Source: Parenting Article Library