Bottlefeeding is straightforward, but you will need to make sure that your baby can swallow properly, and that he is not taking in air with the milk.
- Never leave your baby with the bottle propped up on a pillow or cushion; it can be dangerous. He could become very uncomfortable if he swallows a lot of air with the formula, and he could choke. Moreover, he will miss the cuddling and affection that he should enjoy while he eats
- Tilt your baby on your arm. It is very difficult for baby to swallow when he is lying flat, so don’t feed him in this position; he may gag or even vomit
- If your baby has a stuffed nose he can’t swallow and breathe at the same time. Your doctor can give you nose drops to be used before each feeding
- Don’t change your formula without first consulting your pediatrician, even if you think your baby does not like the one you’re using. It is very unusual for a brand of formula to be responsible for a baby’s not feeding well; very rarely cows’ milk formula causes allergies in babies, and your doctor may advise you to use a soy-based formula
- Your baby knows when he’s had enough, so don’t try to force him to finish the bottle after he has stopped sucking
