top of page
Search
  • Writer's pictureJessica Gamarra

My Milk's in the Baby Bottle: Now What?

Updated: Dec 10, 2019

Important: it's very easy to overfeed a baby using bottles. The way a baby drinks from a bottle is very different than how a baby would nurse from the breast. Since a baby can't control the flow of milk from a bottle, use slow flow or “newborn” type nipples to reduce the risk of overfeeding. This way your baby will stop drinking when s/he’s done.


If you're not feeding your baby warm, freshly expressed breastmilk, you'll have to heat it up. Never warm breastmilk in the microwave – it does not heat evenly, creates fat “globs” and also damages the nutrients in the milk. It’s best to warm the milk using warm water (you don't need a fancy bottle warmer - just some warm tap water in a bowl works just as well!). Milk should be served body temperature - you can test the temperature by sprinkling a few drops on your inner wrist.


Also, shaking breastmilk in a bottle or bag is not recommended - instead, gently swirl to mix it, especially if it has separated while in the fridge (which is totally normal BTW).


Ideally, bottle-feeding your baby should mirror how a mother breastfeeds her baby. Try to feed when the baby is hungry and not on a set schedule. Breastmilk digests in about 90 minutes, so you should expect the feedings to be anywhere from 1.5 to 3 hours apart (younger babies often need to eat more frequently than older babies).


Like pumping, a typical feeding session lasts about 15 to 20 min with the slow-flow nipple. Let your baby to take his/her time to drink the bottle and don't rush through a feeding as quickly as possible - even if you have things to do. Trust me, the time you spend holding your baby as they feed (even in the middle of the night) is over before you know it - so soak up every minute!


Here's a tip I learned with baby #2: Change position mid-way through a feeding. Believe it or not, this actually helps with the shape of their head! The same applies to cuddling too! And always try to hold your baby in a more upright position, instead of completely flat. Propping a bottle is also not recommended - since you can't control the bottle as well.


I used the Comotomo Silicone Bottles. Both of my girls took to them straightaway. They are very close to the breast shape and feel, and super easy to clean. Also, neither baby had issues with gasiness or reflux (could be the bottle, could be genetics). Beware though, Comotomos can tip over easily and sometimes can be a difficult to tighten and open. And, if they start to invert, it means you didn't clean the vents properly - so be sure to scrub those well, from both sides, with a very soft brush.

4 views0 comments

コメント


bottom of page