Breast feeding may not be possible at all or there may be time when a bottle of prepared formula is necessary or desired. The following are general instructions for feeding baby a prepared formula. Your physician will tell you if there are special instructions for your baby.
It is recommended that the normal infant be fed as much formula as he desires, thus paralleling the dietary habit of breast fed infants.
Remember that each baby is an individual and may not adhere strictly to a feeding schedule. The time of feeding should be regulated to the baby's appetite, not to strict rule. The average length of feeding time ranges from 15 to 25 minutes, depending on the vigor of the infant. Sterile water may be given in between feedings.
Sit in a comfortable chair and hold Baby close to you so that he has a feeling of warmth and security. Hold Baby semi upright in your arms, as though you were breast feeding.
Raise the bottom of the bottle so that the nipple is full of milk. This prevents Baby from sucking air. If the nipple collapses, it may be necessary to take the nipple from Baby's mouth to let air into the bottle.
Nipple hole must be right. It should be just large enough to permit the milk to drop out freely without flowing in a steady stream. If the hole is too large, discard nipple and replace with a new one. If the hole is too small, enlarge with a hot needle held firmly with a cork.
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