50. storing milk correctly
Once the formula is mixed and shaken, take the disc and ring off the bottle. Put the teat in upside down, but don’t let it dip in the milk empty some out if necessary. Reseal the disc and ring. Fill all the bootles and put the caps on. Store them in the fridge, ideally on a tray so they don’t fall over, and not inside the door. Do not store for long store for longer than 24 hours.
51. getting the bottle ready
For each feed, take the bottle from the fridge and turn the teat the right way up. Warm the bottle in warm water, or at least bring it up to room temperature. Never warm the bottle in a microwave oven because the milk may become dangerously hot.
52. giving bottle feed
The beauty of bottle feeding is that it allows mother some time off from the relentless feeding duties, and gives father and baby an ideal time to cuddle and bond together. Whoever is giving the bottle feed – parent, childminder, or grandparent – needs to hold her close and talk and smile at her. Put a bib on her. Lie her half-sitting, cradled in the crook of one arm, your hand supporting her buttocks and legs. Stoke her near cheek which should start the sucking reflex. Give her the teat.
53. when baby wont let go
When your baby has finished drinking the milk, pull the bottle firmly away. If she still wants to suck, offer her your clean little finger. However, if she doesn’t want to let go of the bottle, slide your little finger between her gums and alongside the teat. This will break the suction of the teat.
54. sleeping during a feed
If your baby dozes off during a feed, she may have wind which is making her feel full. Sit her more upright and burp her for a couple of minutes. Then offer her more milk. Remember to tilt the bottle at an angle so that the teat is full of milk, not air. She’ll decide when she’s had enough.
55.switching from breast to bottle
Even if you want to bottle feed, breast-feeding for at least two days will give your baby valuable antibodies to help fight infection. You can then switch from breast to bottle if you decide not to carry on. But if you start by bottle-feeding, you cannot then switch to breast feeds. If you do change over, give baby time to adjust. Replace a lunchtime, breast-feed with a bottle every third day. Moisten the teat with a few drops of breast milk to help. After three days later a third, then the night feed.
56. burping your baby
Allow your baby the chance to burp up any swallowed air, or “wind”. That wind may make her feel full. If she doesn’t burp after 30 seconds, don’t worry its still good for both of you to pause, relax, and slow down at a feed.
