If You Cannot Breast-Feed |
Mixed Feeding.
In the case that the mother doubts whether the natural breast-feeding is proceeding satisfactorily, the paediatrician can evaluate the situation and advise on the integration of formula milk to be given with a feeding bottle, if necessary. This is known as “mixed feeding”.
The baby is fed with formula milk in addition to maternal milk.
Mixed feeding therefore allows the mother to maintain the secretion of milk without depriving the baby completely of the benefits of maternal milk.
Mixed feeding can be: a) complementary; b) alternated.
Complementary Breast-Feeding
At every feeding, the baby sucks from both breasts, and the quantity of milk that is lacking is substituted by formula milk, which has been prepared for this purpose.
Complementary mixed breast-feeding is advised because the frequent stimulus of sucking keeps the secretion of milk active..
Alternated Breast-Feeding
During alternated breast-feeding, one meal is taken only at the breast and the next one only from the feeding bottle.
This system is more convenient for the mother, who has more time to spend at work or for herself, although the reduction in sucking on the part of the baby can bring about the risk of quickly terminating the production of milk.
Bottle Feeding
The case in which a mother cannot breast-feed for medical reasons is the exception rather than the rule.
Your doctor will advise you and give you information regarding these rare cases.
Whilst being aware of the significant advantages in natural breast-feeding, there are situations in which mothers are forced, or prefer, to adopt bottle feeding, either in part or in full.
Some mothers find that this type of feeding offers some advantages from a practical point of view:
- The mother can always decide when the baby is to be fed;
- It is more flexible for the mother and it gives her more freedom;
- With the new teats that are more similar to the breast, the baby feeds from the breast or the feeding bottle with the same ease, and without difficulty in changing from one to the other.
Moreover, formula milk is made to be as similar as possible to maternal milk. Although it cannot pass antibodies to the baby, it provides all the necessary nutrients and, from a qualitative point of view, is an excellent substitute for the mother’s milk.
 The change to artificial feeding must not be seen by the mother as a “defeat” or an inability to care for her baby, because the most important thing is that the baby feels loved and is fed.
Moreover, artificial feeding has its advantages, as even the father can feed his baby with a bottle, and the mother can rest.
Furthermore, feeding by the father can help to build a father-child relationship, therefore lessening the feelings of jealousy, exclusion and neglect that the new fathers often feel.
The feeling of paternity is a process in evolution: a father, who is present psychologically and physically in the first moments of life of the baby, can create balanced relationships of affection and love within the new family.
Sterilisation
In order to prepare the feeding bottle, it is necessary to carefully follow some advice, which safeguards the well-being and health of the baby.
It is necessary to ensure the hygiene of the bottle by cleaning it inside with running water and using the specific bottlebrush.
All the feeding bottle accessories must always be sterilised.
The newly born baby, in fact, does not have sufficient immune defences against the outside environment, and everything that comes into contact with its mouth can be a means of infection.
It is possible to cold sterilise the feeding bottle and its accessories with sterilising liquids or tablets, or hot sterilise them thanks to the disinfecting properties of steam, using electrical equipment or microwave ovens.
If powdered milk is used, it is necessary to dilute it in a specific quantity of water, while liquid milk must be poured directly into the sterilised feeding bottle. The bottle is then warmed in Bain Marie, with a feeding bottle warmer or in a microwave oven.
Before feeding the milk to the baby, the bottle should be gently shaken to give the milk a uniform temperature. It is recommended to always check that the milk is not too hot, by pouring some drops on the inside of the wrist.
It is important to feed the baby with a feeding bottle in a peaceful and relaxed environment, so that the baby feels your contact and your love in the same way as with breast-feeding.
The moment of feeding for a baby represents many sensations, which are different and profound, and transmit feelings of communication, love and tenderness. |
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