Feeding your baby breast milk or formula using a bottle can be an art form in itself. Bottles come in a variety of designs, so it can be a good idea to gather information about which type of bottle and pacifier will work best for your baby, and to experiment. Some babies may not be keen on bottles at all, and in such cases it may be worth trying other methods first, such as spoon feeding, cup feeding or sippy cups.
Breast milk in a baby bottle
If you are breastfeeding but for some reason want to use a bottle to give breast milk, then it is entirely possible. As always when it comes to feeding young children, the important thing to consider is hygiene. If you are hand expressing breast milk - make sure your hands are clean, or use a thoroughly cleaned breast pump. If you are not going to feed your baby immediately, you can store the breast milk in a clean bottle in the refrigerator. Breast milk can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days, or you can freeze it. For more information about storing breast milk, you can visit 1177.se.
If you plan to bottle feed on occasion, it is important to choose a bottle that mimics the way your baby feeds when breastfeeding. Some parents may worry that switching to a bottle may affect breastfeeding, but for the vast majority , combining breast and bottle feeding is just fine.
Bottle feeding with infant formula
Before giving your baby formula, it is a good idea to consult your child's health centre. It is important to mix the formula correctly. If the bottle is not properly cleaned or the water for the formula is not clean, it can introduce harmful bacteria that can affect your baby. Children under one year of age have the ability to regulate how much food they need. Let your baby signal when they are hungry and feed them until they are full. If you are unsure whether your baby is getting enough nutrition, contact your child health centre for advice.
10 bottle feeding tips
- Use a thoroughly cleaned bottle with a nipple that has the right size nipple hole. The hole should be neither too large, which would cause the formula or breast milk to flow out too quickly, nor too small, which would make it difficult for the baby to eat at a reasonable pace. Feeding should take about 10-20 minutes.
- Make sure you are sitting or lying in a comfortable position.
- Hold your baby close, preferably skin to skin, but make sure the baby's head is slightly higher. If you support the baby's head on your arm, you can use a pillow to reduce the strain on your arm and shoulder.
- Wait until your baby yawns before giving the bottle. Gently slide the bottle along the baby's mouth until you see them seek the pacifier and yawn. Then you can help the baby by starting to feed.
- To ensure your baby has a good grip on the bottle, their lips should completely cover the nipple. The edges of their lips should be slightly turned out.
- Angle the bottle so that the formula or breast milk can flow in. This reduces the risk of the baby swallowing air.
- Be patient. Bottle feeding can be challenging at first, but practice will get you there. Trust yourself - you know what's best for your baby.
- Let your baby set the pace. Some babies eat slowly, while others eat faster. Let your baby decide how much food they need and stop when they no longer want to eat. Normally, you should not need to encourage your baby to eat more than they want, and always throw away any leftovers from the bottle.
- Remember that skin-to-skin contact is just as important when bottle-feeding as when breastfeeding.
- Create a calm and peaceful environment during feeding.
Infant formula and nutrition
Before giving your baby formula, you should always consult your BVC. They have knowledge about you and your baby and can advise on which type of formula is best for your baby. Formula is formulated to resemble breast milk as closely as possible, and there are EU directives that regulate its composition to meet the basic requirements. Formula intended for newborn babies is called "complete," which means that the baby does not need any other form of nutrition during the first six months. Approved formula can be purchased in regular grocery stores and some pharmacies.
Important to use approved substitutes
It is of utmost importance to ensure that your child consumes an infant formula that is approved in Sweden. Self-produced formula or formula that is not approved can be harmful to your child. Approved infant formula is available in stores and pharmacies. Unna's infant formula is called Unna Stage 1. If your child is older than six months, it may be appropriate to consider complementary feeding. By law, it is not allowed to market infant formula, so if you have questions about the products; contact your BVC for advice and information.
Mixing formula for your baby
Infant formula is available in powdered form and from some brands also ready-mixed in tetrapacks. If you choose powdered infant formula, you must make sure to follow the instructions carefully to ensure correct mixing. When it comes to the water that you use to mix the formula, it is important to pay attention to the quality of the water, especially when it comes to babies who are extra sensitive to possible contaminants. Never use hot water from the tap, as it may contain copper from the pipes. Instead, always use cold water and then heat it according to the instructions on the package. Check the temperature by feeling a few drops on the inside of your wrist, where the skin is extra sensitive to heat. Taste the formula yourself before giving it to your baby.
