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If breastfeeding is not appropriate for you or your life, it is
possible to bottle-feed. Mothers who wish to bottle-feed their babies should use a
commercial infant formula.
These formulas are very
similar nutritionally to breast milk. Your baby should grow and become strong and healthy
in a similar way to breastfed babies.
ยก@ There are many different
varieties available and you can choose between ones based on cow’s milk or
soy bean.
Read the label carefully before making up the feed and contact your family doctor about
how much or how often to feed your baby.
The advantages are that
other people can help feed your baby which can be great for working mums.
Here are a few
tips for a happy, healthy bottle-fed baby:
It is advisable to give
your baby an infant formula until he is about 12 months of age or until he is eating
regular meals.
Always sterilize
the
bottles and teats, and boil any water used for the milk mixture.
Check the expiry date on
the formula.
Use formula within one
month of opening the can.
Hold your baby close to
you every time you give him the bottle.
Never leave your baby
alone while feeding and don’t prop up your baby’s bottle while feeding.
Burp your baby during and
after a feed.
When your baby has
finished feeding throw away any left over milk, then rinse the bottle and teat with cold
water. Do this immediately after each feed.
Your baby doesn’t
need to finish all the milk in a bottle at each feed.
If formula based on
cow’s milk appears to upset your baby, try milk based on soy bean. Speak with your
doctor or our Pharmacist.
Young babies will usually
take about 60 to 120mL of milk at each feed. They usually feed about every 3 or 4 hours.
As your baby gets older, he
will gradually take more at each feed until he reaches about 180 to 250mL.
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