All Around Baby

Category: Bottles

  • Everything About Bottle Feeding

    Everything About Bottle Feeding

    Although breast milk is often regarded as the ideal source of nutrition for newborns, not all mothers are able or willing to breastfeed. For those in this situation, bottle feeding with infant formula is a safe and nutritious alternative. Formula milk contains all the essential nutrients your baby needs to grow, so there’s no need to feel guilty if breastfeeding isn’t an option for you.

    The Swedish National Food Agency does recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first 4 to 6 months of a baby’s life, and many breastfeeding challenges can be overcome with support. However, if you opt for bottle feeding, don’t stress it’s perfectly fine. Here are some handy tips and insights to guide you through the journey of formula feeding.

    Choosing the Right Infant Formula: Powdered vs. Ready-Mixed

    Infant formula, commonly available in either powdered or ready-mixed forms, serves as a complete substitute for breast milk. Both options are vacuum-sealed to maintain freshness, but the preparation method differs. Regardless of which you choose, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safe preparation.

    Quick Tips for Formula Preparation:
    • Clean hands first: Always wash your hands thoroughly before preparing the formula.
    • Sterilize the bottles: Ensure all feeding equipment is washed and boiled between each use.
    • Fresh is best: For newborns, prepare the formula fresh each time, avoiding reheated leftovers.
    • No additions: Avoid adding anything to the formula, as it may disrupt your baby’s sensitive digestive system.
    • Check the temperature: Test the formula by dripping a bit onto the inside of your wrist.
    • Leftovers? Discard them: If your baby doesn’t finish the bottle, pour out any remaining formula reheating, or saving it for later is not safe.

    How Much Formula Does Your Baby Need?

    Many factors age, weight, activity level, time of day, weather, and even growth spurts can influence how much formula your baby needs. While most formula packages provide general feeding guidelines, it’s essential to recognize and respond to your baby’s hunger cues.

    Signs Your Baby Is Getting Enough Formula:
    • The baby appears content and satisfied for a couple of hours after feeding.
    • Your baby is gaining weight steadily.
    • You’re changing at least six wet diapers daily.

    Continue feeding your baby either breast milk or formula as the primary source of nutrition until they are about 12 months old. By then, you can begin offering small tastes of solid food while continuing with formula. There’s no need to switch to a new formula when your baby reaches 6 months old stick with the one that works well for your baby’s needs.

    The Art of Bottle Feeding

    Bottle feeding is often quicker than breastfeeding, which can take up to 30 minutes per session. However, it’s still an important time to bond with your baby. Take the opportunity to make feeding sessions cozy and intimate.

    • Hold your baby close: Skin-to-skin contact and eye contact during feeding create a bonding experience..
    • Get comfy: Just like with breastfeeding, sit comfortably in a calm environment and turn off distractions like your phone.
    • Let your baby guide the feed: Hold off on offering the bottle until your baby naturally opens their mouth. Gently touch their cheek with the teat to activate their natural rooting reflex, and let them turn toward the bottle on their own.
    • Avoid air intake: If the hole in the teat is too large, your baby might swallow too much air, leading to discomfort. Hold the bottle at an angle where the teat remains full of formula to help reduce the amount of air your baby swallows.
    • Adjust the teat: If your baby struggles to suck or the formula doesn’t flow easily, the teat hole may be too small, or the bottle might be too tightly sealed, causing a vacuum inside.
    • Pay attention to fullness: Babies know when they’re full. Trust your baby’s appetite and don’t insist on finishing every bottle. Babies might take a break to burp before continuing to feed.
    • Stay close: Never leave your baby alone with a bottle. Feeding goes beyond just providing nutrition; it’s also a vital opportunity for safety and nurturing connection.

    If your baby happens to doze off while feeding, let them sleep, but never leave a baby lying down with a bottle in their mouth. It can be a choking hazard or cause ear infections.

    What to Do If You Suspect Your Baby Has a Food Intolerance

    If you think your baby may have a food intolerance or allergy, consult with a pediatric nurse or doctor. The most common formulas are made from cow’s milk, but if your baby is allergic to cow’s milk protein, your doctor may prescribe a hypoallergenic formula.

    Remember that never switch to a soy-based formula without first consulting a healthcare provider, as some babies may have sensitivities to soy as well.

    Mixing Breastfeeding with Formula

    Many mothers choose to supplement breastfeeding with formula. If this is your approach, it’s generally recommended to give breast milk first, as this will encourage stronger sucking and help maintain your milk supply. However, be mindful that formula feeding uses different sucking techniques, so if formula use is temporary, consider alternative methods like cup or spoon feeding to avoid nipple confusion.

    If your baby starts to favor bottle feeding because the milk flows more quickly, your body’s milk production might begin to diminish. To boost supply, allow your baby to nurse frequently about every two hours if possible, and try pumping when necessary to stimulate production.

    Seeking More Advice and Resources

    Bottle feeding can feel daunting at first, but remember that you are not alone. Reach out to pediatric clinics, breastfeeding centers, or even lactation consultants for personalized guidance.

    Helpful places to seek advice include:

    • Pediatric clinics
    • Breastfeeding centers
    • Maternity clinics
    • Medical helplines
    • The Association of Lactation Consultants (Amningshjälpen)

    Additionally, the National Board of Health and Welfare offers further information on formula feeding for parents seeking more in-depth advice.

    Bottle Feeding

    Conclusion

    Whether you choose to bottle feed from the start or combine it with breastfeeding, the most important thing is that your baby is healthy and well-nourished. Focus on creating a loving and nurturing environment during feedings, and your baby will thrive, no matter the method of feeding.

  • How to Choose the Right Bottle Nipple Size and Flow Level

    How to Choose the Right Bottle Nipple Size and Flow Level

    Transitioning your baby from breastfeeding to bottle feeding can be tough. However, choosing the right bottle nipple size and flow level and knowing when to switch the size or level will help. These two factors can be determined through your baby’s age and feeding pattern.

    Baby bottle nipples are not one size fits all. As a parent you want to purchase bottles and nipples that are right for your baby. This article will help guide you through determining what works best for your baby. Also do note that every baby is different. Their feeding rate and preference could be very different for their age. We will discuss ways to identify if a particular bottle nipple size and flow level works or not for your little one.

    Understanding The Right Bottle Nipple Level

    The right bottle nipple level is based on the flow rate of a bottle which simply indicates the rate at which milk flows through a bottle nipple to your baby as they feed. The flow rate appropriate for your baby is determined through their age. The flow rate is often indicated on the packaging. This rate varies by the number and type of hole on the silicone nipple . The chart below will help guide you to choose the right bottle nipple size and flow level to match with your baby’s development.

     

    BOTTLE NIPPLE SIZE CHART
    AGE RANGE NIPPLE LEVEL FLOW RATE
    Preemie Level 0 Extra Slow
    Newborn (0-3 months) Level 1 Slow flow
    Babies (3-6 months) Level 2 Medium flow
    Babies (6 months and older) Level 3 Fast Flow
    Babies (9 months and older) Level 4 Vari flow

    Significance of Right Bottle Nipple Sizes 

    feeding a baby with a right bottle nipple size
    feeding a baby with a right bottle nipple size

    Choosing the right nipple size is an important factor to consider. Choosing the wrong nipple size could lead to a bad feeding experience which no parent wants to go through. 

    You want your baby to get the right enough food and by choosing the right bottle nipple your baby is eating at a pace comfortable to them. Smaller nipples could cause them to eat too slowly where they get frustrated at the slow flow rate and not eat at all. At the same time, too big of a nipple size can prevent them from latching on, excess milk spilling or too fast of a flow could make them gag and cough out milk. This discomfort could discourage your baby from wanting to eat in the future.

    To prevent a bad feeding experience, there are signs to lookout for to know if you’ve picked the right bottle nipple size and flow rate:

    Indicator of a nipple being too small

    • Sucking too hard and fast
    • Nipple collapsing as they forcibly suck through
    • Taking a lot longer to feed 
    • Getting annoyed and pushing the bottle away or squirming

    Indicator of a nipple being too big

    • Excess milk spilling as they feed
    • Coughing, gagging or choking 
    • Swallowing forcibly
    • Uncomfortable after feeding and gassy baby
    • Refusing to feed
    • Lead to a reflux

    A bigger size nipple and faster flow could also create digestive issues. While bottle feeding, babies tend to gulp too much air which could cause gas related discomfort for babies. A smaller bottle nipple could help to reduce the flow rate and will let your baby drink at a slower pace  which will reduce the intake of air. It also helps to tilt the bottle to the point where the milk fills up the entire nipple with milk. 

    Signs to Switch to the Right Bottle Nipple Sizes 

    There is no defined time or age to change to the right bottle nipple size for your baby. Not all babies are the same and some can stick to the same nipple size throughout their feeding time. But at the same time there are babies who need to advance and switch to a bigger or faster flowing nipple. There are different cues parents can look out for:

    • Sucking, gulping too hard and nipple collapsing
    • Taking a lot longer to finish feeding
    • Getting frustrated, squirming or pushing away the bottle
    • Refusing to eat but getting hungry a lot faster later on

    If none of these cues are noticed then it is most likely that your baby is comfortable with the size and flow rate of the nipple and there is no reason to switch if they are comfortable and are feeding well.

    If you do decide to switch, look for the signs below which could clearly indicate that it is best for your baby to go back down a level that is comfortable. These signs could be:

    • Coughing, gagging or choking or spitting out
    • Excess milk dripping out
    • Gulping and swallowing too hard
    • Refusing to eat

    Right Bottle Nipple Sizes for Breastfed Babies 

    As you stop or reduce breastfeeding and transition to bottle feeding can be a new experience and you may want to mimic the feel of breast feeding as much as possible. It is highly recommended to use a slow flow for newborns or babies transitioning. 

    It is important to start with a slow-flow nipple because a mothers breasts don’t release milk at a fast rate and babies need to work at it to feed. Whereas bottle feeding often has a faster flow and babies would receive milk at a faster rate. There is a tendency for babies to prefer bottle feeding and not return to the breast due to the ease at which they receive milk. Babies are also used to the slower flow and so leveling up nipple sizes could cause a baby to take way too much milk and too quickly causing digestive issues. The bottle flow should mimic the slow flow of breast milk and therefore it is best to start with a level 0 or level 1.

    There are other steps that can be taken to help your little one transition smoothly from breastfeeding to bottle feeding and avoid nipple confusion:

    • Avoid overfeeding your baby with bottle feeding. Paced bottle feeding helps.
    • Feed in a semi upright position supporting their head in your arms.
    • Tilting the bottle making sure the milk covers the nipple to avoid air intake.
    • Selecting a suitable bottle style, nipple size and level or texture.

    Selecting the Right Bottle and Nipple 

    Selecting the right bottle and nipple can be an overwhelming task especially with all the brands, variety and specifications available in the market. Nipple Size and flow rate being one of the many such as bottle material, shapes and size, Nipple material and levels, and other bottle specifications for like double duty bottles that support pumping and others like vented bottles.

    There can be slight variability between brands in relation to the bottle nipple size and flow rate. Almost all brands indicate the nipple size and flow level on the silicone nipple or packaging. 

    Medium flow Tommee Tippee advanced Anti-colic Baby Bottle Nipple
    Amazon.com- Medium flow Tommee Tippee advanced Anti-colic Baby Bottle Nipple

    Well recognized brands like Dr Browns may focus on different categories too. For instance the focus is more for preemie’s who may have to bottle feed for reasons such as a mother not producing enough milk, traumatic birth, latching issues, etc. 

    Products like the Ultra-Preemie Nipple are ideal for premature babies and medically fragile babies that need a very slow flow rate. This nipple of Mr Brown’s offers the lowest rate compared to other brands.

    Other brands like Tommee Tippee which are quite innovative in design, provide closer to nature anti-colic bottle nipples with powerful anti-colic bottles that keep air away from your babies milk and it also indicates if your babies feed is too hot through built in heat sensing strip that turns pink based on the temperature of the milk. 95% of mothers have highly recommended this bottle nipple for its distinctive design in providing a natural latch which is great for babies transitioning from breastfeeding to bottle feeding which mimics the feel of a natural nipple.

    When to Change Nipples 

    Changing nipples is not only for times when your baby requires a level up or down size and flow rate. In fact nipples need to be changed regularly. Nipples wear off really fast with the sucking and tugging during feeding. It is recommended to replace nipples every 2 months if signs of damage or weakness show.

    Here are signs indicating a new bottle or nipple is required:

    • Change in color of bottle or nipple. More of a stained look
    • Thinning of nipple silicone
    • Any sign of tears, cracks or breaks that can cause a choking hazard
    • Weak nipple- Determined by pulling at the nipple top and it not returning to its original shape

    Choosing the right bottle nipple size and flow level is of utmost importance. Ensuring your baby gets a good feed and is healthy and well is every parent’s concern. Based on your little one’s age you can easily decide on a suitable nipple size and flow rate. However every baby is different and feeding preferences can vary. It is important to look for cues discussed in this blog and make adjustments based on what works best for your baby. Figuring this out will take time and patience and a lot of trial and error but you will soon be able to determine what works best as you progress with bottle feeding. Change can be tough for your little one but many brands support with various specifications and variety and knowing when to replace nipples will eventually lead to a great feeding experience for both you and the baby.

     

  • Why does my baby’s milk turn pink?

    Why does my baby’s milk turn pink?

     

    Pink is a pretty color which has won the heart of many. But it does not feel pretty when your breastmilk, baby formula, feeding bottles, and bibs suddenly turn pink. Parents pass the newborn stage with the fear of what might go wrong and this pinky surprise will definitely shock them. Keep reading to know what turns milk and bottles pink, how it might affect your baby, and how to deal with it when everything has gone pink. 

    CONTENT

    1.    Why does baby formula/breastmilk turn pink?

    2.    What is Serratia marcscens?

    3.    Is Serratia marcscens bad for the babies?

    4.    How does Serratia marcscens transmit?

    5.    How to identify a Serratia marcscens infection?

    6.    Symptoms of Serratia marcscens infection

    7.    How to diagnose and treat Serratia marcscens infections?

    8.    What to do with infected baby bottles and other baby items?

    1.    Why does baby formula/breastmilk turn pink?

    The reason for this color change in baby formula, breast milk, and baby bottles is a microbial culprit who is called Serratia marcscens. They leave a light red hue which is responsible for the pink color of the milk and pink stains in the baby’s clothes. If you are feeding baby formula to your baby, it is less likely that baby formula itself carries Serratia marcscens as extensive tests and procedures are performed by the manufacturers to ensure that no traces of Enterobacteria are present. 

    But the water you use to prepare formula and wash the bottles, the drying clothes, improper sterilization, and unclean hands can bring Serratia marcscens to your baby’s bottle. This bacteria is also present in our surroundings, in water, soil, and plants which can easily infect the mother and then turn breastmilk pink. 

    When you identify a Serratia marcscens infection your next question will obviously be from where did it get here? But unfortunately, there is no one perfect answer for that problem. 

    A proper diagnosis will be required to confirm the presence of Serratia marcscens. It will involve a test of culture for which you will have to contact your pediatrician first. Your pediatrician will help you to identify what caused the infection and the infected baby and/or mother will have to undergo an anti-bacterial treatment. If your baby is not well and shows symptoms of an infection such as fever, seek medical support as soon as possible. 

    2.    What is Serratia marcscens?

    Bizio, who is an Italian pharmacist discovered Serratia marcscens in 1819 as a cause of the reddish discoloration on cornmeal mush. It is an opportunistic nosocomial bacterial pathogen producing light red color pigments called prodigiosin. 

    Opportunistic pathogens do not harm the host usually but if the immunity of the infected is weak, symptoms can appear. Nosocomial means that this bacteria is originating in hospitals. Nevertheless, Serratia marcscens is occurring naturally in soil and water. Serratia marcescens is a member of the Enterobacteriaceae family of bacteria. 

    People who have weak immune systems, patients who are taking broad-spectrum antibiotics, and ICU patients who are under heavy medical interventions such as feeding tubes, urinary catheters can get easily infected by this bacteria. 

    3.    Is Serratia marcscens bad for the babies? 

    Serratia marcscens is an opportunistic pathogen that will impact only the weak hosts. Therefore, the risk of developing a disease from Serratia marcscens is low for a healthy baby. In most cases, there are no antibiotic treatments prescribed to the baby or the breastfeeding mother. If the mother has another health condition such as mastitis, antimicrobial therapy might be needed. If your baby does not look sick and does not show any symptoms of an infection, it is not a reason to worry but better contact your pediatrician and confirm whether it is exactly Serratia marcscens and not another cause. 

    4.    How does Serratia marcscens transmit?

    Serratia marcscens is nosocomial bacteria so you can get infected easily at a hospital. You visit or get admitted to a hospital for some other health issue and while you are at the hospital, you can get infected from this bacteria. There is a chance that Serratia marcscens comes to your body from hand-to-hand contact with the medical professionals who are widely exposed to the bacteria in the hospital. 

    Breastmilk can transmit Serratia marcscens to a baby if the mother is infected. Pumping, storing, and preparing breastmilk to feed should be done hygienically to prevent incidents of bacterial infections like this. There is a possibility of Serratia marcscens’ excretory material to be included in infected breastmilk but most of the babies are reported as non-symptomatic even after being fed with such breastmilk unknowingly. 

    Baby formula can also transmit Serratia marcscens although formula itself will not carry any bacteria. The water used to prepare the milk, kitchen towels used to dry the bottle and improper sterilization can infect the formula-fed babies. Serratia marcscens is present in the natural environment and therefore in our households. So they can infect baby’s milk unless they are not handled hygienically.  

    Why does baby bottles turn pink?

    5.    How to identify a Serratia marcscens infection?

    To confirm the presence of Serratia marcscenes in a certain culture, a laboratory test is compulsory. But the pink residue produced by the bacteria is an easy indicator to identify a Serratia marcscenes infection. 

    • Breastmilk is white when expressed but turns pink when left at room temperature for sometimes
    • Pink stained bibs, burp cloths, towels, and baby clothes. 
    • Pink stained baby bottles and bottle parts. 
    • Diapers with pink stains. 

    6.    Symptoms of Serratia marcscens infection

    Most of the infected babies and mothers remain non-symptomatic but if there are any symptoms, they can be vary depending on the infected area of the body. Serratia marcscens cause diseases such as urinary infections, respiratory infections, biliary tract infections, peritonitis, and infections in wounds. Following symptoms can be observed in Serratia marcscens infected babies although it is rare. 

    • Surgical wound infections
    • Sepsis
    • Bloodstream infections
    • Meningitis
    •  Keratitis
    • Conjunctivitis
    • Urinary tract infections
    • Pneumonia

    7.    How to diagnose and treat Serratia marcscens infection? 

    When you notice pink stained baby items or pink breastmilk/formula, meet your pediatrician with a sample of infected milk or an item as a culture for a laboratory test. When it is confirmed that Serratia marcscenes is present in the culture, the doctor will prescribe the treatments as well as support you to identify from where you could have got infected. Most of the time, antimicrobial treatments are not used. But if the baby or the breastfeeding mother is in a special situation that requires medical help, the treatments will be prescribed accordingly. 

    8.    What to do with infected bottles?  

    When you are confirmed that there is a Serratia marcscens infection and need to get rid of it, the first step should be sterilizing everything that you use on your baby. There are several methods for sterilization as recommended by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. 

    Boiling 

    • Put all the items that you want to sterilize in a pan and fill it with water. (Make sure all the items are heat resistant and will not be damaged in boiling)
    • Heat the water to the boiling point and let the items boil for about 5 minutes.
    • Remove the items with a tong and place them on a safe surface to dry. 

    Steaming

    • Several steam sterilizers are available in the market. Some work with electric power and some have to be steam-sterilized using the microwave. 

    Dishwasher

    • If your dishwasher has the sanitizing option you can use it or just use hot water. The temperature of hot water will be high enough to kill the bacteria. 

    Bleaching solution

    • Add 2 teaspoons of unscented bleach per gallon of water into a clean vessel. Immerse all the items to be sterilized into this solution. If you are sterilizing baby bottles, do not forget to add all the bottle parts including nipples. 
    • Remove them from the solution with tongs. There is no need to wash as bleach will be gone once dried causing no harm to the baby. Washing with water can expose the bottles to germs again. Remember you dry these sterilized items in a clean area.