Taking care of a growing baby is a tough job. An increasing number of mothers are now working professionals and it may not always be possible for them to be there for their baby to breast feed. Some mothers also suffer from discomfort in the breasts during feeding and may want to avoid this.


In order to make sure you are feeding your baby well, you can take some tips to ensure bottle feeding of formula is sufficient.

1.    You should sterilize the nipple of the bottle before you try to use it.


This will prevent your child from being exposed to any unnecessary infections.
 
2.    Initially you should continue with breastfeeding while you can. This will not only please your child, but it will also reduce the effects of the changed diet on your child’s digestive system. When you start formula feeding, you can alternate between breast feeding and formula feeding on a 50-50 basis to start with and then gradually reduce the breast fed milk until the baby is completely on a formula. If you feel comfortable you can continue breast feeding once a day.

3.    Often babies will not drink from a bottle that is being given to them by their mother. This is because they will want breast milk as their natural instinct is to breast feed. You may have to soak the tip of the formula bottle with breast milk to make your baby start suckling. It may also be necessary to use someone else to deliver the milk to your child. Try and use the child’s father for this.
 
4.    Choosing the right formula can be a headache for many parents. You should always consult your child’s doctor for advice as to which type of formula will suit your child. Some children may be intolerant to lactose which is the reason why you are switching to bottle feeding. In such cases, lactose free formulas are available.

5.    An important thing to do once your child is on a formula is to keep your eye open for what the child’s reaction is. Some children may react poorly to formula and develop gas. This will cause them to be fussy and to cry often as the pain of gas may cause them significant discomfort. In such a situation, be ready to change the formula. You can pick and choose from various formulas until you have arrived at one that is suited to your baby.