If you have a customer who is bottle feeding their baby you can give them the tips below:-
- Ensure you get prepared by getting everything you need ready before a feed so you can sit down comfortably without having to interrupt the feeding process
- Ensure that the environment is relaxed and an ambient temperature and that the baby is calm
- Make eye contact and talk to the baby during a feed as these keep them calm and allow bonding
- Hold the baby securely with their head supported to allow them to breath and swallow comfortably
- Always keep the teat full of milk otherwise the baby may swallow air.
- Swap sides halfway through the feed as this ensures that the baby doesn't favour one side over the other and helps their eyes and neck to develop
- Never force a baby to finish a bottle; babies will only take as much as they need and will recognise when they are hungry or full.
- Babies will often fall asleep when they are full, if they are still awake when they finish the bottle they may still be hungry.
- Always throw away unused formula or breast milk after a feed
- Never leave a baby on their own to feed with a propped up bottle as they may choke