Helpful Feeding Tips: Getting Baby to Take Bottle

Proper feeding of newborns is one of the most important aspects of taking care of your new baby. However it can be difficult for new parents to get the hang of bottle feeding their new baby. If you’re having problems getting Baby to take his bottle, there are several adjustments that you can make to simplify the feeding process. What steps you can take will largely depend upon the specific difficulty that your baby is having what it comes to feeding.

Problems Latching On

Some newborns have problems latching onto the bottle or maintaining suction during bottle-feeding. If this is the problem that your baby is having, you may want to experiment with using different sizes and shapes of nipples for the bottle. Some babies even do better with new posts are made from different materials such as silicon versus rubber. You want to be sure that the nipple is properly sized for your baby’s mouth. This is because if the nipple is too large then it will be too much work for your baby to get the formula to leave the bottle.

Nipples that are too small for that are awkwardly shaped can make it difficult for your baby to remain latched on. You may wish to get some suggestions from your doctor’s pediatrician as to what type and shape of nipples you should use. Also be certain to use a bottle is properly sized as well. Bottles that are too large may cause difficulties with formula flow or other issues.

Problems With Gassiness

Some babies seem to be especially prone to gassiness. This can make it difficult for your baby to remain focused on feeding if he or she is continually passing gas at the same time you are offering the bottle. The problem may be that your little one is swallowing air during feedings. You can try swapping to a nipple that have smaller holes or slower flow rate. If the gassiness does not subside after a few days, you may want to consider switching formulas to something that is milder on your baby stomach. These adjustments should allow your little one to have less problems with gas.

Fussiness During Feeding

If fussiness during feeding is a problem, gas may also be an issue. Your baby may also be fussy due to tiredness or illness. Getting Baby to take bottle when he’s tired will be difficult at best for some. It will depend largely upon your baby’s temperament. One of the best things you can do is to schedule feedings around the same time, or evenly spaced so that the same amount of time passes between feedings. If the fussiness is due to gas, again you may want to change the type of nipple for the bottle, the type of formula, or both.

If, however, your baby is fussy because he or she is ill the best thing you can do is to make sure that your baby is as comfortable as possible during feedings. Follow the pediatrician’s advice as to how to treat your baby’s illness, and schedule feedings when your baby is least likely to be feeling the negative effects of any sickness.

Excessive Spit-Up

Babies who spit-up excessively can also be difficult to bottle feed, and there can be many reasons behind this occurrence. The first thing you’ll want to be sure of is that your baby is being burped regularly during and after feedings. Some cases of spit-up are caused simply because of trapped air bubbles that were swallowed during feeding time.

If burping doesn’t solve the problem, you may want to look into potential changes in formula, or even evaluation for acid reflux. Some babies produce excess stomach acid which can make it difficult for them to properly digest their food. It’s important to have this diagnosis as early as possible if that is the case, because it can make it difficult for your baby to gain weight and to thrive.

Regardless of the underlying issue, making sure that your baby is well fed is key to making sure that he or she grows up healthy and strong. Don’t give up on getting Baby to take bottle — with a little creativity and determination your little one will be having stress-free feedings in no time.

When Feeding Solids Baby Cereal is Just the Beginning

All parents treasure those special “firsts” in their babies lives: the first smile, first laugh, first word, and especially the first time baby has solid food. But when you’re feeding solids baby cereal is just the start of the flavors your baby will experience. And even when it comes to cereal, there are several types as well. If your little one has colic, or even if he had colic in the past, a wrong choice now could make a happy moment into a feeding nightmare.

Rice cereal is less problems

Baby cereal can be made of rice, oatmeal, or a combination of grains. If you are worried about possible digestion issues, there are also cereals that have probiotics and DHA added to help with digestion and regularity. Your safest bet when just starting out will always be rice cereal. Very few babies have any problems with this type of cereal. You can mix it with water, formula, or a little breast milk to get the right consistency.

Some cereals also come with fruit and very light flavorings. You can try these types of cereals if your baby has handled the plain cereals well, and you want to bridge the gap between cereal and fresh fruit gradually. Banana is a popular choice, as is oatmeal raisin. When feeding solids baby cereals with sweet flavors tend to be more readily accepted.

Once you are ready to move on to fresh fruit, there are many options to choose from. Pureed bananas, apples, pears and other fruits of this nature are typically mild and well digested. When you move into fruits and vegetables with orange pigment, such as sweet potato and peaches, you may have to watch your baby for gassiness. As always, if any colicky symptoms develop, stop offering the latest food and try again later when your baby’s system has had a chance to develop more fully.

Starting solids too early can lead to allergies. One of the most problematic allergies is an allergy to gluten, as it eliminates many foods that we eat on a daily basis, not just breads and grains. The best way to avoid this type of allergy is to introduce new foods slowly, and only when you are sure that your baby has developed enough to be able to properly digest them. Give your little one time to learn and enjoy new foods, and don’t be discouraged if he doesn’t like them on the first try. Many babies grow to love fruits and vegetables that they rejected at first.

Feeding times should be relaxed and stress-free. Don’t expect baby to finish every bit of food you offer, and don’t force him or her to eat everything in the dish. Allow your baby to eat until he or she refuses to have any more. That way, baby learns to respect his own hunger cues and won’t become overly full, constipated, gassy, or colicky. Watch your little one’s non-verbal cues: when he starts to turn away from the spoon, it’s time to stop.

Avoiding colic

Overall, when feeding solids baby cereal is a safe way to start, and a good way to measure your baby’s tolerance for solid foods. However, as your baby becomes more interested in other foods, branching out to let him try mild flavors and easily digestible foods gradually is your best option. This way, your baby will remain colic free as you reach this important new milestone together. Take your time, enjoy your little one’s new interest in “grown up” food and enjoy the new aspect of feeding time with patience and love.

Crying or Colic? Understanding the Hidden Signals in Newborns’ Crying

It’s 2 a.m. and your little one is up and is yet again in tears. You feel like you’ve tried everything, but nothing seems to work. While it may be true that your baby has colic, a lot of newborns’ crying can be attributed to simple causes that are easy to adjust. The key is in understanding the non-verbal cues your baby provides in the stages when he or she is first starting to fuss.

If you wait too long before addressing the cries of a newborn, your baby may become inconsolable, no matter what the original cause of the crying. For cries that start in the middle of the night, it can be helpful to have a baby monitor. Adjusted to the proper volume you will be able to hear your baby’s first signs of distress, rather than being awakened by the crying of a little one who is so upset that comforting him or her is difficult at best.

Here are some of the most common reasons your baby may be crying, and ways to address the problem:

“I’m hungry.”

Hunger cries are usually the first ones that mothers and fathers learn to recognize. Hungry babies may root around for the breast or bottle, and they may also gnaw on their fist in the middle of their “pre-cry” stage. Hunger cries tend to sound grumpy rather than piercingly loud.

“I’m wet/dirty.”

Another of those grumpy-sounding cries, your newborn may be restless and squirmy due to the discomfort of a wet or dirty diaper. Discomfort from a dirty diaper may also interfere with your baby’s ability to enjoy his or her feeding, so be sure to check the diaper before you nurse the baby or offer a bottle.

“I’m sleepy.”

This is yet another “grumpy” sort of cry, but sleepy babies often give other cues such as rubbing their eyes or yawning. Babies who have been awake for a while, and who have been recently fed are most likely to be sleepy. It’s important to address this cry as quickly as possible, since it becomes very difficult to soothe a baby to sleep if he or she has gotten to the point of crying loudly in frustration.

“I’m in pain!”

Babies who are hurting, either from gas pain or more serious issues cry with a piercing wail. There is generally no build up – if the pain is sudden, the crying will be sudden as well. This means that you could go from having a peaceful little one to one that is crying inexplicably. If your little one is not visibly hurt, the problem may be gassiness – try a warm bath or a tummy massage to ease the discomfort.

“I’m stressed!”

This is not as piercing as a pain cry, but it can also come out of nowhere or with very little preamble. Babies who have been overstimulated (too many guests to visit, too many new noises, lights, etc.) may become agitated and cry for what seems like no reason at all. While it may be lovely to have all of the baby’s relatives over for a visit, keep in mind that baby may not be able to process so much social interaction without getting upset. In general, moving your little one to a calm, quiet environment will help.

There are no guarantees that your little one won’t have colic or colicky symptoms, but if you address these types of cries first, you stand a better chance of resolving these tearful moments sooner rather than later. Newborns’ crying can signal many different things, and it’s important to remember that colic is only one of those.

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