How many ounces to bottle feed a breastfed baby

Baby feeding chart - How many ounces of breastmilk should a baby eat?– Nested Bean

Feeding is one of the first activities you'll do with your little one, and you'll spend lots of time doing it as a new parent! Whether your baby is formula-fed, breastfed, or eating solid foods, feeding them the right amount is vital for their development.

Read on to learn more about how much breast milk, formula, and solid food you need to keep your baby healthy at any age.

From the experts: baby feeding

'It is important to remember all babies are different―some like to snack more often, and others drink more at one time and go longer between feedings. However, most babies will drink more and go longer between feedings as they get bigger and their tummies can hold more milk.'

- Sanjeev Jain, MD, Healthy Children

Breast milk feedings and amounts by age

Though breastfeeding has a whole host of benefits, from providing bonding time with your baby to giving them all the nutrients they need to grow and develop, it can be tricky to know how much they're actually drinking if you aren't pumping!

If you're feeding your baby directly from the breast, they'll likely want to eat little and often at first - every 1-3 hours for the first few weeks. As they get older, this will decrease to longer feeds every 2-4 hours, and you may include a stretch of time between feedings at night as your baby sleeps.

Once they reach 6 months of age and you start introducing solid food into their diet, the amount of breastfeeding and ounces of milk per feeding will vary depending on how much food they're eating.

If you're choosing to primarily pump breast milk, you'll likely find it a lot easier to figure out just how much milk your baby is getting. However, this doesn't mean you know the correct amount for each age! To help you out, we've created a table stating how much breast milk to give your baby and how often:

Age	Time between feedings	Ounces per feeding
0-1 Month	2-3 hours	1-3 ounces
1-3 Months	3-4 hours	3-4 ounces
3-6 months	4-6 hours	4-8 ounces
6-9 months	4-6 hours	6-8 ounces
9-12 months	5-8 hours	7-8 ounces

Remember that this table is only a rough guide - your baby is unique, and they might be perfectly healthy eating more or less than described here.

If you're unsure that your baby is consuming the right amount of breast milk, you should consult your pediatrician for more advice.

Formula feeding and amounts by age

As well as being more convenient for many parents and more accessible for dads, formula-fed babies can also be easier to feed the correct amount as you can more effectively measure how much they're eating.

Generally speaking, formula-fed babies tend to take fewer feedings than breastfed babies and will eat more in a single feed, but this might be different for your own baby!

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that your baby has around 2 1/2 oz of formula per day for every pound of body weight - a baby who weighs ten pounds will therefore need 25 ounces in a 24-hour period, for instance.

To make it easy, we've put together a table with the recommended amounts of formula according to your baby's age:

Age	Time between feedings	Ounces per Feeding
0-2 weeks	2-3 hours	1 to 2 ounces
2 weeks - 2 months	3-4 hours	2-3 ounces
2-4 months	4-5 hours	4-6 ounces
4-6 months	4-6 hours	5-8 ounces

Once again, you might find that your baby can't quite drink as much formula as this table says, or that they cry for more milk between feedings.

Ultimately, you should always follow your baby's lead when it comes to their basic needs - they know how much milk they need to drink better than a baby feeding chart does! Therefore, just use these tables as a rough guide that you can adjust later down the line if you need to.

Solid food feedings and amounts by age

Once your baby is 6 months old, they'll have reached some of the developmental milestones that mean they can start eating solid food. These include sitting up independently, bringing food to their mouth, controlling their head and neck, and successfully swallowing food by pushing it to their throat.

As you already know, you can't feed your baby a full three-course meal right off the bat - you need to start slow with foods that are easy for them to eat and digest.

For instance, you can try starting them off with mashed or pureed single-ingredient foods such as mashed apples or carrots.

This is also the time when allergies might come to light, so be mindful of what you're feeding your baby in case they have any kind of reaction, and consult your doctor if you notice anything wrong.

Here is a table of how much solid food you should give your baby at each age - bear in mind that these amounts should be supplemented with breast milk or formula, and that the amount of food you give them will depend on this ratio.

Age	Type of food	Amount of food	How often
6-8 months	Fruit and vegetables	1-4 tbsp	1-2 times per day
6-8 months	Cereal	1-4 tbsp	1-2 times per day
8-9 months	Fruit, vegetables, cereals	5-10 tbsp	2-3 times per day
8-9 months	Proteins	2-6 tbsp	Each day
9-12 months	Fruit, vegetables, grains	Up to 1/2 cup	2 times per day
9-12 months	Dairy	Up to 1/2 cup	Each day
9-12 months	Protein	Up to 1/2 cup	Each day

However, as any parent can tell you, babies rarely eat exactly the right amount whenever they're told! Your baby's appetite will likely fluctuate each day, and it's important to not force food down them when they aren't feeling hungry.

Instead, you should teach them to trust their own feelings and instincts, so that they understand their own hunger better when they grow into childhood.

If you want an idea of how to work foods like this into your baby's diet, here's an example of what your baby might eat in a day:

Meal	Food
Breakfast	Oatmeal with pureed fruit
Lunch	Lentil soup with boiled carrots
Dinner	Mashed potato with tuna mayo
Snacks	A couple of tablespoons of yogurt, smoothie, or applesauce

Of course, the menu is up to you, and you may even find that your baby can eat slightly altered versions of dishes that you might eat yourself!

Baby feeding - key takeaways

When it comes to feeding your baby, things can get a little complicated; from choosing between breast milk and formula feeding to knowing how much milk to feed your baby and keeping on top of the milk supply, it isn't always simple! But don't worry - here are the most important points we've talked about today when it comes to feeding your little one:

Your baby's stomach starts out tiny and starts to grow quickly, so expect to start with more frequent, smaller feedings before moving onto larger amounts with longer stretches of time in between
Formula-fed babies on average take fewer feedings per day than breastfed babies and will eat a little more in a single sitting
Babies can begin eating some solid foods from 6 months, but you should start slow with pureed single-ingredient foods to work out their likes and dislikes, as well as any potential allergies
You should pay attention to your baby's unique needs and feed them when they're hungry - while tables can be useful to give you a rough idea of how much babies eat on average, it's fine if they don't 100% apply to your little one's own habits!

Most asked questions about baby feeding

How many ounces of pumped breastmilk should a newborn eat?

When your baby is first born, their stomach is only the size of a marble, stretching out over the first few weeks of their life. This means that they should be fed little and often - around every two or three hours. If you're bottle-feeding your newborn baby, you should only give them 0.5 ounces of breast milk during each feeding for the first few days of their life, gradually increasing the amount as their stomach capacity (and hunger) grows.

How do I know if my baby needs more ounces?

A general rule of thumb is to feed your baby when they're hungry and crying out for more food- though tables and statistics can be helpful, your baby is unique, and you should always put their needs above following a strict routine that may only work for some parents.

If your baby needs more milk, there's a good chance they'll let you know by crying more frequently. Remember, a hunger cry is rhythmic and repetitive, almost like a siren, and your baby may also turn to your breast or raise their hand to their mouth.

How do you calculate how many oz a baby should drink?

The recommended milk intake depends on whether they're drinking breast milk or formula. For formula-fed babies, the American Academy of Pediatrics states that your little one should drink two and a half ounces of formula for every pound of body weight. When it comes to pumped breast milk, you might find that your baby drinks this amount in more frequent, smaller feedings.

On the other hand, it can be difficult to figure out how much milk breastfed babies are drinking during each feed, so you may want to feed them according to their own natural rhythms and when they become hungry.

How much does the average 2-month-old drink?

At 2 months old, your baby will typically be drinking around 2 ounces of breast milk or formula during each feeding, and having each feeding every 3 or 4 hours per day. This adds up to around 12-16 ounces of milk per day!

However, if your own 2-month-old is drinking more or less than this, that doesn't mean that you need to worry. Every baby is different, and as long as they're healthy and have a good appetite, you don't need to worry too much about the exact amount they're drinking. If you're concerned about their eating habits, you should contact your pediatrician for medical advice.

Is 6oz too much for a 2-month-old?

Generally speaking, a 2-month-old baby will drink about 2 ounces of milk per feeding, adding up to around 12-16 ounces of milk per day, so 6 ounces all at once may be a little too much for their stomach to handle.

But if your baby prefers fewer, larger feedings, then 6 ounces might make sense - at the end of the day, it's all about what works for your baby and your family, rather than what statistics and baby feeding charts say you should do. After all, you know your little one best!

When should my baby eat 4 oz?

The amount of breast milk or formula your baby eats in a single feed will increase as they grow and develop. For instance, while a newborn can only stomach a teaspoon or so of milk during their first feeding, this will increase to 2 whole ounces by the time they're 2 weeks old!

Broadly speaking, your baby will be able to eat 4 ounces per feeding by the time they're 3 or 4 months old, but don't take this number too seriously. All babies are unique, and while one parent might find that their 5-month-old can just about manage 4 ounces, another might discover that their baby wants more than this at 3 months!

How much milk should I be producing for a 3-week-old?

At 3 weeks old, your baby should be drinking around 2 ounces of milk per feeding every 3 or 4 hours, though your baby's milk intake might vary according to factors like their weight and whether they're drinking breast milk or formula. In terms of milk production, you should aim to pump between 25 and 35 ounces of breast milk within a 24-hour span if you're exclusively pumping.

However, it's worth noting that this isn't possible for every woman, and that not all parents have access to breast milk, so don't worry too much about what you 'should' be doing. All that matters is that your baby is happy and healthy, whether that's through breast milk or formula!

Is it OK to formula feed instead of breastfeeding?

Absolutely! Here's a saying we love to use instead of breast is best: fed is best. Many women struggle to breastfeed for a wide range of reasons, while single fathers or adoptive parents may not have the option at all. There are many benefits to breastfeeding, but your baby being healthy is what's important - if you need formula to reach that goal, then definitely use it.

Is it OK to feed a swaddled baby?

Absolutely! If your baby is waking up from a nap hungry, or wanting to be fed before she goes to sleep, leaving them in the swaddle makes the most sense for many parents and is perfectly safe to do. In fact, swaddling your baby before you feed them makes sense for many parents as it helps them to calm down, which is especially useful if they're going to be put to bed right after!

If you're looking for a swaddle to help soothe your newborn to sleep, we can't recommend our own Zen Neo swaddle pod highly enough! A womb-like shaped pod that helps to ease your baby's transition to the big new world around them, this swaddle also features a gently weighted pad to mimic your soothing touch and help your little one fall asleep all by themselves.

Should I swaddle my baby before or after feeding?

This really depends on what makes sense for your own baby! For instance, while some babies may become too sleepy and cozy to eat after they've been swaddled, others may become agitated if you try to swaddle them right after they've been fed. Every baby is different, and your swaddling habits will likely reflect this, so do whatever works best for you and your little one!

Should I unswaddle for dream feed?

If you don't already know, a dream feed is when you feed your baby while they're still pretty much asleep, but just awake enough to be able to latch on and drink. A well-timed dream feed can prevent other wakeups throughout the night, meaning more sleep for both you and your baby - if you want to know more, check out our blog all about dream feeds!

Because you want your baby to remain mostly asleep during the feeding, you'll want to disrupt them as little as possible - therefore, removing them from the swaddle likely isn't the best move, as it's almost certain to wake them up! On the other hand, if they aren't awake enough to latch, you may want to unswaddle them as a way of waking them up a little more - it's all about finding the right balance of awake but drowsy.

How many ounces should a 2 month old eat?

A 2-month-old baby should consume about 2 to 4 ounces of formula or breast milk per feeding, and should eat about every three to four hours. This amount will increase as your baby grows. At each feeding, your baby may consume more or less than this amount, but over the course of a day, this is generally how much a 2-month-old should eat.

https://www.nestedbean.com/blogs/zen-blog/when-do-babies-start-rolling-over

https://www.nestedbean.com/blogs/zen-blog/baby-sleeping-on-side

https://www.nestedbean.com/blogs/zen-blog/7-ways-to-make-your-baby-smarter-before-birth

Other Resources

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/Pages/How-Often-and-How-Much-Should-Your-Baby-Eat.aspx

How much expressed milk will my baby need? • KellyMom.com

By Kelly Bonyata, BS, IBCLC

How much milk do babies need?
What if baby is eating solid foods?
Is baby drinking too much or too little expressed milk?
Other ways of estimating milk intake
References

Image credit: Jerry Bunkers on flickr

How much milk do babies need?

Many mothers wonder how much expressed breastmilk they need to have available if they are away from baby.

In exclusively breastfed babies, milk intake increases quickly during the first few weeks of life, then stays about the same between one and six months (though it likely increases short term during growth spurts). Current breastfeeding research does not indicate that breastmilk intake changes with baby’s age or weight between one and six months. After six months, breastmilk intake will continue at this same level until — sometime after six months, depending in baby’s intake from other foods — baby’s milk intake begins to decrease gradually (see below).

The research tells us that exclusively breastfed babies take in an average of 25 oz (750 mL) per day between the ages of 1 month and 6 months. Different babies take in different amounts of milk; a typical range of milk intakes is 19-30 oz per day (570-900 mL per day).

We can use this information to estimate the average amount of milk baby will need at a feeding:

Estimate the number of times that baby nurses per day (24 hours).
Then divide 25 oz by the number of nursings.
This gives you a “ballpark” figure for the amount of expressed milk your exclusively breastfed baby will need at one feeding.

Example: If baby usually nurses around 8 times per day, you can guess that baby might need around 3 ounces per feeding when mom is away. (25/8=3.1).

What if baby is eating solid foods?

Sometime between six months and a year (as solids are introduced and slowly increased) baby’s milk intake may begin to decrease, but breastmilk should provide the majority of baby’s nutrition through the first year. Because of the great variability in the amount of solids that babies take during the second six months, the amount of milk will vary, too. One study found average breastmilk intake to be 30 oz per day (875 ml/day; 93% of total intake) at 7 months and 19 oz (550 ml/day; 50% of total energy intake) at 11-16 months.

Several studies have measured breastmilk intake for babies between 12 and 24 months and found typical amounts to be 14-19 oz per day (400-550 mL per day). Studies looking at breastmilk intake between 24 and 36 months have found typical amounts to be 10-12 oz per day (300-360 mL per day).

Is baby drinking too much or too little expressed milk?

Keep in mind that the amount of milk that baby takes at a particular feeding will vary, just as the amount of food and drink that an adult takes throughout the day will vary. Baby will probably not drink the same amount of milk at each feeding. Watch baby’s cues instead of simply encouraging baby to finish the bottle.

If your baby is taking substantially more than the average amounts, consider the possibility that baby is being given too much milk while you are away. Things that can contribute to overfeeding include:

Fast flow bottles. Always use the lowest flow bottle nipple that baby will tolerate. Even with a slower flowing nipple, it is important to pace the bottle feed to allow baby to better control his intake.
Using bottle feeding as the primary way to comfort baby. Some well-meaning caregivers feed baby the bottle every time he makes a sound. Use the calculator above to estimate the amount of milk that baby needs, and start with that amount. If baby still seems to be hungry, have your caregiver first check to see whether baby will settle with walking, rocking, holding, etc. before offering another ounce or two.
Baby’s need to suck. Babies have a very strong need to suck, and the need may be greater while mom is away (sucking is comforting to baby). A baby can control the flow of milk at the breast and will get minimal milk when he mainly needs to suck. When drinking from a bottle, baby gets a larger constant flow of milk as long as he is sucking. If baby is taking large amounts of expressed milk while you are away, you might consider encouraging baby to suck fingers or thumb, or consider using a pacifier for the times when mom is not available, to give baby something besides the bottle to satisfy his sucking needs.
If, after trying these suggestions, you’re still having a hard time pumping enough milk, see I’m not pumping enough milk. What can I do?

If baby is taking significantly less expressed milk than the average, it could be that baby is reverse-cycling, where baby takes just enough milk to “take the edge off” his hunger, then waits for mom to return to get the bulk of his calories. Baby will typically nurse more often and/or longer than usual once mom returns. Some mothers encourage reverse cycling so they won’t need to pump as much milk. Reverse cycling is common for breastfed babies, especially those just starting out with the bottle.

If your baby is reverse cycling, here are a few tips:

Be patient. Try not to stress about it. Consider it a compliment – baby prefers you!
Use small amounts of expressed milk per bottle so there is less waste.
If you’re worrying that baby can’t go that long without more milk, keep in mind that some babies sleep through the night for 8 hours or so without mom needing to worry that baby is not eating during that time period. Keep an eye on wet diapers and weight gain to assure yourself that baby is getting enough milk.
Ensure that baby has ample chance to nurse when you’re together.

Other ways of estimating milk intake

There are various ways of estimating the amount of milk intake related to the weight of the baby and the age of the baby, based upon formula intake – research has shown that after the early weeks these methods overestimate the amount of milk that baby actually needs. These are the estimates that we used for breastfed babies for years, with the caveat that most breastfed babies don’t take as much expressed milk as estimated by these methods. Current research tells us that breastmilk intake is quite constant after the first month and does not appreciably increase with age or weight, so the current findings are validating what moms and lactation counselors have observed all along.

Breast Versus Bottle: How much milk should baby take? By Nancy Mohrbacher, IBCLC, FILCA
Supplementation Guidelines from LowMilkSupply. org

References

Onyango, Adelheid W., Receveur, Olivier and Esrey, Steven A. The contribution of breast milk to toddler diets in western Kenya. Bull World Health Organ, 2002, vol.80 no.4. ISSN 0042-9686.

Salazar G, Vio F, Garcia C, Aguirre E, Coward WA. Energy requirements in Chilean infants. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2000 Sep;83(2):F120-3.

Kent JC, Mitoulas L, Cox DB, Owens RA, Hartmann PE. Breast volume and milk production during extended lactation in women. Exp Physiol. 1999 Mar;84(2):435-47.

Persson V, Greiner T, Islam S, and Gebre-Medhin M. The Helen Keller international food-frequency method underestimates vitamin A intake where sustained breastfeeding is common. Food and Nutrition Bulletin, vol.19 no.4. Tokyo, Japan: United Nations University Press, 1998.

Cox DB, Owens RA, Hartmann PE. Blood and milk prolactin and the rate of milk synthesis in women. Exp Physiol. 1996 Nov;81(6):1007-20.

Dewey KG, Heinig MJ, Nommsen LA, Lonnerdal B. Maternal versus infant factors related to breast milk intake and residual milk volume: the DARLING study. Pediatrics. 1991 Jun;87(6):829-37.

Neville MC, et al. Studies in human lactation: milk volumes in lactating women during the onset of lactation and full lactation. Am J Clin Nutr. 1988 Dec;48(6):1375-86.

Dewey KG, Finley DA, Lonnerdal B. Breast milk volume and composition during late lactation (7-20 months). J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 1984 Nov;3(5):713-20.

Butte NF, Garza C, Smith EO, Nichols BL. Human milk intake and growth in exclusively breast-fed infants. J Pediatr. 1984 Feb;104(2):187-95.

Dewey KG, Lonnerdal B. Milk and nutrient intake of breast-fed infants from 1 to 6 months: relation to growth and fatness. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 1983;2(3):497-506.

Brown K, Black R, Robertson A, Akhtar N, Ahmed G, Becker S. Clinical and field studies of human lactation: methodological considerations. Am J Clin Nutr 1982;35:745-56.

Jelliffe D, Jelliffe E. The volume and composition of human milk in poorly nourished communities: a review. Am J Clin Nutr 1978;31:492-515.

Summary of Research Data
Baby’s Age	Average Milk Intake per 24 hours			Reference
Baby’s Age	g	ml	oz	Reference
5 days	498 +/- 129 g	483 ml	16 oz	Neville 1988
1 mo	728 g	706 ml	24 oz	Salazar 2000
1 mo	—	673 ml	23 oz	Dewey 1983
1 mo	708 +/- 54.7 g	687 ml	23 oz	Cox 1996
1-6 mo	453.6+/-201 g per breast	440 ml x2 = 880 ml	30 oz	Kent 1999
3 mo	818 g	793 ml	27 oz	Dewey 1991
3-5 mo	753 +/- 89 g	730 ml	25 oz	Neville 1988
6 mo	—	896 ml	30 oz	Dewey 1983
6 mo	742 +/- 79. 4 g	720 ml	24 oz	Cox 1996
7 mo	—	875 ml (93% of total energy intake)	30 oz	Dewey 1984
11-16 mo	—	550 ml (50% of total energy intake)	19 oz	Dewey 1984
11-16 mo	502 +/- 34 g	487 ml (32% of total energy intake)	16.5 oz	Onyango 2002
12-17 mo	563 g	546 ml	18 oz	Brown 1982
12-23 mo	548 g	532 ml	18 oz	Persson 1998
15 mo	208.0+/-56.7 g per breast	202 ml x2 = 404 ml	14 oz	Kent 1999
18-23 mo	501 g	486 ml	16 oz	Brown 1982
>24 mo	368 g	357 ml	12 oz	Brown 1982
24-36 mo	312 g	303 ml	10 oz	Persson 1998
Specific Gravity of Mature Human Milk = 1. 031, so Density of Mature Human Milk ~ 1.031 g/ml;1 oz = 29.6 ml;Numbers in gray were derived using the above conversion factors.

How to bottle feed: tips and tricks

Kiseleva Elena Sergeevna

Candidate of Medical Sciences, Scientific Advisor MAMAKO ^®

Breast milk is the best food for your baby*. But breastfeeding is not possible for all women. For moms who can't breastfeed or keep breastfeeding for as long as they would like, quality infant formula is a healthy alternative.

The best thing is when the baby is in her arms, ideally in skin-to-skin contact: such a position when bottle-feeding, as well as during breastfeeding, creates close contact between mother and baby, helps them get closer, strengthen emotional connection.

Feeding time is a time to be together and communicate with the baby (and for dad too).

The first days of life are the period of adaptation of crumbs to the outside world. And the first thing he is looking for is protection and comfort . In the moments of application to the skin of the baby, it warms the warmth of the mother's body, soothes and comforts her smell and heartbeat, so familiar to him even before birth. Gentle touches and calm breathing, a smile and a soft voice of a mother, a mixture warm as breast milk give the baby everything he needs - safety, warmth and nutrition.

Love and contact is the most important "ingredient" in any feeding process and infant formula is rich vitamins and nutrients that are good for your baby's health and development will help you feel confident in your ability to care for your baby.

In theory, feeding your baby formula is just a few simple steps. But if you've never made a bottle of baby food or the time is three in the morning, things seem complicated. Be patient to get into the rhythm.

For most mothers, bottle feeding becomes a part of baby food. And this does not depend on whether the bottle contains expressed breast milk or formula. The important thing is that sticking to breastfeeding exclusively can be difficult or impossible over time. Then the mother begins to supplement the baby with a mixture or transfer it to completely artificial feeding.

Below are answers to parents' questions about how to properly and safely bottle feed your baby.

1. How to make a formula bottle

We offer together step by step the process of preparing the first bottle for your baby.

Hand hygiene : Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before handling bottles and feeding the baby. We also check the cleanliness of the table and measuring spoon.
Sterilization : bottles and teats should preferably be sterilized beforehand.
Water preparation : Boil bottled baby water and cool to 40 ˚C, determine the right amount of water, then pour it into the bottle up to the desired mark - according to the number of scoops of dry formula according to the weight and age of your child.
Determine the volume of the mixture : on the jar, in the "Feeding table" block, it is indicated how many spoons are required for one feeding. The measuring spoon should be full and without a slide - we remove the excess on a special corner of the jar. Both day and night, it is best to look at the feeding chart (unless otherwise determined by your doctor) so as not to accidentally add too much or too little formula. An overly dilute formula or an excess of it can interfere with a child's proper nutrition.
Mixing according to instructions : pour the required amount of product without a slide into a bottle of prepared water. Next, close the bottle with a lid and roll between the palms. If the bottle is shaken, a lot of foam may form.
Checking the temperature of prepared meals : put a drop of the mixture on the inside of the wrist, where the skin is as sensitive as in a baby's mouth. Immediately after preparing the mixture, tightly close the jar of baby food and feed the baby.
Let daddy give a bottle of and be alone with the baby - they also need communication and time to make friends. The reality is that many dads feel left out while breastfeeding, but this can be avoided with formula feeding. Show how to hold baby and bottle, support your partner during the first feedings . This help will be useful for you too. An extra pair of hands when bottle feeding gives mom a little more precious time.

2. What water to use for infant formula

Only boiled bottled baby water should be used in the bottle. This is a great way to make sure the water you use is safe for your baby.

All children's water is registered by Rospotrebnadzor in accordance with SanPiN 2.1.4.1116-02. Such water corresponds to the indicators of the highest category, is balanced in terms of mineral composition and is characterized by low total mineralization in the range of 200-500 mg / l (a baby’s body is simply not able to absorb higher concentrations of minerals and salts).

Packaged water may look the same. But some manufacturers divide baby water into two categories - for drinking and for preparing mixtures. The composition of drinking water contains a higher concentration of minerals that are beneficial for the child's body, but they can upset the balance of the nutrient mixture. Therefore, on the labels you can read about the different purposes of water: suitable for preparing baby food or for feeding babies and young children.

It makes no sense to make large stocks of baby water - water in open bottles becomes unusable after 24-48 hours, depending on the manufacturer. Tap or spring water is also not suitable for feeding babies. Such water may contain various impurities, bacteria and microbes that are dangerous for babies. Boiling will “free” water from harmful microorganisms, but not from impurities of heavy metals and chemicals.

3. How to use the measuring spoon correctly

The measuring spoon helps you accurately measure the amount of the mixture and get the correct dosage. Fill a full spoon, but shoot a slide. You don't need a kitchen knife for this - each jar of mixture has a convenient wide corner for removing excess. And in economical jars with a volume of 800 g, for example, in MAMAKO ^® Premium with goat milk, the spoon is conveniently attached to the lid - so you don’t have to look for it in a large package before each feeding. Fingers and knives are not absolutely clean, they always have a lot of bacteria that can spoil the mixture and harm the health of the baby. The antibacterial fastening of the spoon and the corner of the jar protect the mixture and the child from harmful bacteria from the external environment.

4. What temperature should the water and ready mix be?

Boiled water should be cooled to 40 °C. This temperature will retain all the benefits of baby food based on goat's milk. The easiest way to get water at the right temperature is to boil it in a kettle and let it cool for 20-30 minutes. A kettle for boiling water requires special care - it is covered with a mineral coating, which is easily removed by boiling citric acid. This is a troublesome procedure, since after cleaning it takes about 3-4 boils to remove traces of detergent. Create a rhythm for preparing dishes - at night or with a crying baby in your arms, there will be no time for this. The finished formula should be warm: 37 ˚C, as this is the temperature of breast milk and it is optimal for the baby's food. Before feeding, do not forget to check if the mixture is too hot by applying a couple of drops on the wrist. If it burns, you can hold the bottle under cold water for a while, after closing the nipple with a lid. If the mixture has cooled slightly, it is enough to heat it under a warm stream of water.

5. Mixed feeding: breast or bottle first

The best feeding schedule is when a mother supplements her baby with formula after breast milk. If the baby is given a bottle first, then he may begin to refuse the breast. This is due to the fact that it is easier to suck through the nipple, and with natural feeding, the baby has to “work” a lot to get mom's milk.

6. How many baby bottles do you need per day

It all depends on how old you are on formula, how much formula you give and how often your baby eats. It's best to keep six to ten bottles on hand so you always have clean dishes. In addition, the more bottles, the less often they will have to be sterilized. Buy 125 ml bottles for an infant, then upgrade to 150 ml and 240 ml as your baby's appetite and needs increase. Don't rush to part with smaller bottles, they are great for supplementing and watering.

7. Why can't the bottle be held horizontally during feeding? The angle of inclination increases as the bottle empties, so it is important to be close to the baby, not leaving him alone during feeding even for a minute. If you do not tilt the bottle, the child will begin to swallow air. Air bubbles can cause regurgitation during or immediately after feeding. In addition, when air enters the baby’s stomach, he feels full faster, which means he eats less and will be hungry after a short period of time.

8. Which nipple to choose for your baby bottle

Many wide and narrow neck bottles already come with a set of baby nipples. Almost all of them are made of silicone. Which shape of the nipple - anatomical or round - and what size of hole your child will like, can be understood by his reaction during feeding. If the mixture drips from the corners of the mouth, the flow may be too fast due to the large opening. If the baby is sucking hard, the mixture may drip too slowly. We recommend that you do not enlarge the opening of the nipple: it may tear, and the microparticles of the product may enter the child's body. Perhaps the hole is just clogged, this sometimes happens. If necessary, nipples can be replaced and bought separately from the bottles.

9. Should baby bottles be sterilized

Yes, to limit the spread of bacteria. Hard-to-reach places of the bottle must be washed from the mixture (a brush and warm water are enough) before sterilization. A sterilizer is ideal for this purpose - ultrasonic, electric or steam for a microwave oven. It can sterilize all baby accessories - bottles, nipples, caps, brushes. Of course, you can replace the sterilizer with a simple boil, but be careful that the water does not boil away, otherwise the bottles and nipples will be damaged and become dangerous.

10. Can I use the microwave to heat formula

Resist the temptation to microwave the formula and save time. Microwave ovens heat liquids unevenly. Even if the bottle is not hot, the mixture can warm up quite strongly: there is a risk of burning the baby. In addition, heating in the microwave can break down the nutrients in the formula.

11. Can leftover formula be stored

If your child has not finished formula, discard any leftover formula. No need to heat up and reuse it. It's not safe for the baby. After a while, bacteria begin to multiply in the finished mixture. Dilute a fresh batch of formula every time the baby is hungry.

12. How to prepare a bottle while traveling

If you are away from home or on the road for several hours, you can take two bottles of warm boiled water in a thermal bag that keeps you warm. Before each feeding, it remains to pour the right amount of mixture into the bottle (it is convenient to measure portions in advance according to the number of feedings in the infant formula dispenser). If the water in the bottle is cold, it is enough to warm it under warm water (this will take a little time). Bottles and teats should last until the next opportunity to wash and sterilize them. Remember that a thermal bag is good for maintaining the temperature of boiled water, but it cannot be used to store the finished mixture - this is harmful to the baby's health.

MAMAKO ^® fully supports breastfeeding, but since this is not always possible, we have shown you how to bottle feed with love. In addition, the preparation of baby food will become a conscious and important matter. Very little time will pass, and you will fondly remember these precious moments of tender age, and feeding time will be the beginning of a warm, close connection with the baby.

* Breast milk is the best food for babies. WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of a child's life and continued breastfeeding after complementary foods are introduced until the age of 2 years. Before introducing new products into the baby's diet, you should consult with a specialist. The material is for informational purposes and cannot replace the advice of a healthcare professional. For feeding children from birth. The product is certified.

#Advice for Mom

Bottle feeding | Canpolbabies.

com

Find out how to bottle feed your baby safely, how to help your baby feel safe while feeding, and how to set feeding times based on your baby's needs.

The most important thing is to choose the right position when feeding

When bottle feeding, avoid lying down as the milk flows out of the bottle under the force of gravity (at a constant rate controlled by alternating pressure on the nipple).

An infant may choke on milk if fed in a horizontal position. Therefore, it is very important to choose the right - more upright - position for feeding (the baby's head should always be slightly higher than the rest of the body).

Your baby's head should be in the crook of your arm, in line with his spine. The bottle feeding position should resemble the natural feeding position - especially when you feed him with two different feeding methods.

Remember:

Never leave your baby alone with a bottle as they may choke
Never let a baby sleep with a bottle in his mouth

How to give your baby a bottle

Place the bottle in the child's mouth so that it forms a right angle with his face. Your baby should not encircle the entire nipple, but only its oblong part, with the lips resting on the rounded part. The oblong part should always be full of milk. Otherwise, the baby will swallow a lot of air during feeding, which can cause colic. Air bubbles in the bottle mean your baby is suckling properly.

Emotional connection

Little children need parental love and affection. Your closeness helps him feel safe. Therefore, it is very important to talk affectionately with the baby as often as possible, hug and stroke him. Feeding is the best time to build an emotional relationship with your baby.

This is very easy to do when you are breastfeeding because you are already in physical contact with each other. However, bottle feeding also allows you to be closer to your baby as he feels the warmth of your body. Bottle feeding also allows other family members - the father, brothers and sisters to get closer to the child, since not only the mother can feed the baby in this way.

Calm emotional background

Never feed your baby when you are irritated or tense. Take time for yourself first, take a deep breath and try to relax. When you have calmed down, sit in a comfortable chair, place a pillow under your arm, place your baby on the pillow, and start feeding while speaking gently to your baby. Your child feels your emotions. If you are tense, he will also feel restless. Also, never feed your baby when he is excited, crying or screaming. When he is in this state, his airways are not protected and food can enter his larynx instead of his esophagus.

Feeding by the hour

Formula milk is not as easily digested by the baby's stomach as breast milk, so according to generally accepted rules, it should be given every 3 hours.

Some pediatricians say it's best to give your baby formula on demand, that is, when the baby is hungry. In their opinion, it is better to feed the child than to wait another hour and keep him in suspense because he wants to eat. However, you still need to control the number of feedings and your baby's weight gain.

During the first month of life, the baby should eat > 7-8 times a day, 90-100 ml for each feeding, in the second month of life: 6-7 times a day, 100-120 ml for each feeding. During the first six months, the baby should gain approximately 150-200 g per week.

Feeding breaks

When your baby sucks milk from a bottle, he also swallows air. Therefore, he may feel full even before he drinks half the bottle. When feeding a child, breaks should be taken every few minutes to allow the baby to take in air - after such a break, he should ask for food again. During feeding, hold the baby in an upright or semi-recumbent position for a while (sometimes even for several minutes) to give him the opportunity to release air accumulated during feeding from the digestive tract. Help the child by holding him on your shoulder, putting his hands on your back. Bend and spread his legs a little.