How to Bottle Feed your Baby: Paced Bottle Feeding

Summary

This video script offers guidance on paced bottle feeding, a technique to prevent overfeeding and choking in babies. It advises using wide-based slow flow nipples, holding the baby upright, and ensuring the nipple isn't full of milk to control the flow. The script emphasizes the importance of monitoring sucks and swallows, looking for signs of discomfort, and burping the baby to release swallowed air. It also highlights the need to watch for signs of fullness and to discard leftover milk to avoid bacterial growth. The video encourages practice and offers support through Peel Public Health for new parents.

Takeaways

• 📝 Paced bottle feeding helps prevent overfeeding and choking by allowing the baby to drink more slowly and take breaks.
• 💵 Use bottles with a wide-based slow flow nipple to control the flow of milk or formula.
• 💶 Hold your baby upright, supporting their head and neck, to facilitate comfortable feeding.
• 💳 Touch the baby's upper lip with the bottle nipple to encourage them to open their mouth wide.
• 💵 Let the baby pull the nipple into their mouth without forcing it.
• 💳 Ensure the nipple is not full of milk during feeding to control the flow.
• 💵 Hold the bottle horizontally with the nipple partially full to slow the milk flow.
• 💲 Count the baby's sucks and swallows; pause feeding if they don't breathe every 3-5 sucks.
• 💵 Never prop a bottle in the baby's mouth to avoid choking and overfeeding.
• 💷 Watch for signs of overfeeding or choking, such as quick swallowing without breathing or milk spilling out.
• 💷 Burp your baby to release swallowed air, especially if they show signs of discomfort.
• 💶 Look for signs that the baby is full, like pressing their lips together or turning their head away from the bottle.
• 💳 Dispose of leftover milk to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
• 💵 Paced bottle feeding requires practice but becomes easier over time.

Q & A

What is paced bottle feeding?

Paced bottle feeding is a technique that allows a baby to drink more slowly and take breaks, helping to prevent overfeeding and choking.

Why is it important to control the flow of milk in a bottle?

Controlling the flow of milk ensures that the baby can feed at a comfortable pace, preventing overfeeding and choking.

What type of bottle is recommended for paced bottle feeding?

Bottles with a wide-based slow flow nipple are recommended for paced bottle feeding.

How should you hold your baby during bottle feeding?

Hold your baby in an upright position, supporting their head and neck with your hand.

How do you encourage your baby to open their mouth wide for feeding?

Touch your baby's upper lip with the bottle nipple to encourage them to open their mouth wide.

Should you force the nipple into your baby's mouth during feeding?

No, you should let your baby pull the nipple into their mouth; you don't want to force it.

How should the bottle be held to slow the flow of milk?

Hold the bottle horizontally so that the nipple is partially full, which slows the flow of milk.

What is the significance of counting your baby's sucks and swallows during feeding?

Counting sucks and swallows helps ensure your baby takes a breath every three to five sucks, preventing choking.

Why is it dangerous to prop a bottle in your baby's mouth?

Propping a bottle can cause choking and overfeeding as the baby may not be able to control the flow of milk.

What are the signs of overfeeding or choking during bottle feeding?

Signs include swallowing quickly without taking a breath, milk spilling out of their mouth, flaring nostrils, eyes opening widely, stiffening of arms and legs, or lips turning blue.

How can you tell if your baby needs to be burped during feeding?

If your baby is getting cranky, pulling or bending their legs, arching their back, or pulling away from the bottle, they may need to be burped.

What should you do with leftover milk after your baby has finished feeding?

Leftover milk must be thrown out after your baby has finished feeding to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.

How can you tell if your baby is full and finished feeding?

Signs that your baby is full and finished feeding include pressing their lips together, letting go of the nipple, turning their head to the side, no longer sucking, and falling asleep.