Bringing home a newborn baby can be both exciting and challenging. New parents have to cope with sleepless nights and new responsibilities, making parenting often unbearable for unprepared caregivers. Except for a pile of domestic chores, parents must care for newborns’ health issues and nutrition problems. One of the most important things to consider is how to feed your baby.
Breast milk, Holle goat milk formula, HiPP HA Combiotik PRE, and various other formulas occupy the shelves of local stores, complicating the food choice for caregivers. Whether you choose to breastfeed or bottle-feed, there are tips and tricks to make the process easier. If you want to enjoy parenting, you must learn information to prepare for changes and make the right decisions. Here are some helpful tips to make feeding your newborn easier.
Breastfeeding Tips for New Parents
Breastfeeding can be an excellent way to bond with your baby while providing them with the necessary nutrients. Unfortunately, not all mothers are aware of the breastfeeding rules. As a result, they fail to breastfeed, either suffering from health problems or lacking breast milk for proper baby nourishment. Here are some tips to make breastfeeding easier.
- Get comfortable: Find a comfortable spot to breastfeed, such as a rocking chair or a bed with many pillows. Use a nursing pillow to support your baby and make feeding more convenient.
- Find the right latch: A good latch is essential for successful breastfeeding. Ensure your baby’s mouth is open wide, taking in a reasonable amount of your breast.
- Stay hydrated: Breastfeeding can be thirsty work, so drink plenty of fluids.
- Nurse on demand: Newborns have small stomachs and must eat frequently. Nurse your baby when they show hunger.
- Get help if needed: Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you have trouble breastfeeding. Lactation consultants, breastfeeding support groups, and your healthcare provider can all offer advice and support.
Today, many lactation specialists provide elegant pieces of advice concerning breastfeeding. YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other social media have many influencers who record videos and write posts for free to help new mothers enjoy breastfeeding. If moms lack time to visit groups, they can watch videos while feeding a baby.
Bottle-Feeding Tips to Secure Your Baby
Not all mothers have the physical ability to feed their babies with breast milk. Some mothers suffer health problems like others have to sacrifice breastfeeding because of work demands. If you choose to bottle-feed your baby, there are some tips to make the process easier.
- Choose the right formula: Many different types of formula are available, so choose the one that’s best for your baby’s needs. The baby food market has conventional, vegan, and organic baby formulas. Some companies produce specific products to meet the needs of intolerant or gassy kids.
- Sterilize bottles: To prevent your baby from getting sick, it’s important to sterilize bottles and nipples before each use. If you cannot sterilize the bottle, you should have single-use bottles or ready-to-feed formulas.
- Hold your baby close: Hold your baby close while bottle-feeding to promote bonding and make the experience more enjoyable. Breastfeeding is soothing, but bottle feeding can also be bonding if holding your babies close and pat them gently. Due to that, a baby knows how mommy loves and cares for it.
- Pace feed: Pace feeding is a technique where you let your baby control the milk flow by tipping the bottle just enough so the milk doesn’t flow too quickly. Choking is extremely dangerous as it becomes one of the most common reasons for a newborn’s death. So, parents should keep to pace feeding and be aware of the first aid rules to help a baby stop choking.
- Burp your baby: After feeding, burp your baby to release any air trapped in its tummy. Otherwise, your baby will throw up or suffer belly cramps because of bloating.
It’s significant to follow all these tips to guarantee safe nutrition. Sterile conditions and a properly selected baby formula will make miracles for your baby.
Combination Feeding Tips
Some mothers combine breastfeeding and bottle feeding, which can be a great way to get the best of both worlds. Here are some tips for combination feeding.
- Establish breastfeeding first: Establishing breastfeeding before introducing a bottle is important to prevent nipple confusion.
- Offer the bottle in small amounts: Start by offering your baby a small amount of formula in a bottle to get them used to the idea.
- Use breast milk in the bottle: To make the transition easier, use pumped breast milk.
- Stay flexible: Be prepared to switch between breastfeeding and bottle-feeding as needed, depending on your baby’s requirements.
Moreover, one should choose a baby formula that can duplicate breast milk quality.
Sometimes, parents should search for special formulas, such as hypoallergenic formulas based on goat’s milk or a comforting formula with probiotics for faster digestion without gasses. Moreover, European brands make organic formulas for babies with frequent regurgitation, allergy to animal milk proteins, and excessive bloating.
Most parents trust such European brands as HiPP, Holle, Jovie, Löwenzahn, Kendamil, and Lebenswert. They managed to manifest a spotless reputation thanks to high-quality baby foods. Even though their goods are expensive, organic foods are natural and don’t contain antibiotics, pesticides, and other chemicals. So, they are safe for kids, and parents from other countries prefer these products to other formulas due to their safety.
Conclusion
Feeding a newborn can be a challenging and rewarding experience. Whether you choose to breastfeed, bottle-feed, or combine the two, there are tips and tricks to make the process easier. Remember to stay hydrated while breastfeeding, find a comfortable spot to feed your baby, and don’t be afraid to ask for help with any feeding types. Feeding your newborn can become a cherished part of your daily routine with a little practice and patience.
