Bottle Feeding Baby
- Keeping It Clean
By
Robin OBrien
Breastfeeding mothers can have many problems but one
thing they don't have to think about is keeping their
milk clean and germ-free. Bottle feeding mothers don't
have this luxury. Cleanliness is paramount when bottle
feeding your baby.
If you've decided to bottle feed your child then you
must first acquire the correct equipment. First on your
list should be an adequate bottle sterilizer. There are
several different types to choose from. The cheapest
option available is to buy a bottle sterilizer that
works by placing it in a microwave. Their big advantage
is cheapness, but they do have a couple of drawbacks;
first you must thoroughly clean your microwave after
cooking spicy food.
Secondly, portability can be
problematic. A more expensive option is to purchase an
electric bottle sterilizer. You simply wash your baby's
bottle and then place them into a plastic tray, which is
then placed into the sterilizer. This is the best way to
sterilize your baby's milk bottles, however, be sure to
place only the amount of water into the sterilizer as
specified by the manufacturers - don't put more than is
recommended. Finally, you can purchase an
electric/microwave combination. Basically, this means
you can place the interior tray into a microwave rather
than using the electric unit. Whichever type you
purchase, don't forget to wash it occasionally.
Ensure that you wash your baby's bottles correctly. Use
a bottle washer especially made for cleaning babies
bottles. Wash bottles in warm soapy water and use salt
to clean the teats. Make sure use rinse thoroughly after
cleaning. Never sterilize your baby's bottles with the
teat or caps left on.
Germs require 3 things to thrive; water, sugar and
warmth. Infant formula can provide ideal conditions for
germs to breed. Always make infant formula just before
you need to and discard any that is left over after
feeding. Never give your baby milk that was made for a
previous feed; would you like to drink milk that has
been left standing for hours in a warm room? Also, when
travelling, never make formula in advance. It is better
to take hot water and mix the milk powder just before
feeding. It might be worthwhile buying ready-to-use for
long distance trips.
Never share your baby's bottle with another infant, even
with other siblings. Sharing is the surest way to spread
germs from one baby to another. Make sure your own hands
are clean before you prepare your baby's formula.
Take care of your baby's teeth. Bottle feeding tooth
decay is a real risk. Infant formula usually contains
more sugar that breast milk. You should never put baby
to bed with a bottle, which the baby can suck on for
hours. The sugary liquid flows over the baby's upper
front teeth and dissolves the enamel, causing decay that
can lead to infection. The longer the practice continues
the more damage to the baby's teeth and mouth. Treatment
is very expensive.
Bottle feeding will provide your child with all the
nutrients it needs. By following the guidelines above,
you can also ensure that bottle feeding is as germ-free
and safe as breastfeeding.
Robin O'Brien is founder of
Baby Bottle
Feeding. It offers advice on all aspects of bottle
feeding, including [what
is the best infant formula and
bottle feeding tooth decay.
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