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Feeding your new baby is an
enjoyable and important part of the bonding process between mother and
child, whether by breast or bottle. Most breastfeeding mothers will require a few necessary aids for feeding to
help with leaking milk, sore nipples, or engorgement (breast
fullness) - all of which are common to early breastfeeding. Support
products such as breast pads for leaking, healing nipple creams
for sore and cracked nipples, and breast pumps to relieve engorgement
can provide more comfort during your breast feeding time.
When choosing a breast
pump, consider your long-term requirements. In the early months of
breast feeding they are very helpful at assisting full breasts while
your milk production adjusts, if you find that hand
massaging does not provide enough relief. A manual breast pump is ideal
for this purpose. In the long-term consider whether you wish to feed
your baby breast milk from a bottle, such as if you will be leaving your
child in daycare, with a baby sitter, or weaning. For more regular
expressing an electric breast pump is more suitable. If you need to use
a breast pump to help with increasing your milk production, a good
electric breast pump is required. For long-term and full time expressing
you may like to consider a double electric pump.
When expressing breast
milk for your baby, there are an abundance of storage options available.
The type you choose will often depend on the brand of breast pump you
have selected. Avent breast pumps can be used with Avent Via Storage
containers, or Avent milk storage containers or bottles, both of which
fit the Avent breastpumps for expressing directly into them. These can
then be stored in the refrigerator or freezer, and later baby can be fed
directly from both vessels too. The Nuk electric breast pump can be used
with all Nuk and Nuk First Choice bottles, which also screw directly on
to the pump for expressing into. Nuk also provides BPA-free milk storage
bottles which is the safest plastic for storing breast milk.
Using breast pumps and
bottles requires strict hygiene standards, as babies are more vulnerable
to bacteria and germs that can grow in leftover milk residue causing
sore tummies, thrush and gastro-enteritis. Bottles and breast pump parts
should be cleaned thoroughly - a good bottle brush that can reach well
inside the teats and bottles is essential. Wash in hot soapy water and
rinse well. Rub the teats with a bit of salt inside and out, to remove
any unseen residue. Finally, bottles, teats and breast pump parts will
need to be sterilised before use. This is critical as sterilising
reaches temperatures that kill pathogenic germs, which cleaning by hand
will not achieve. Dishwashers are not suitable for sterilising as they
do not reach high enough temperatures and the detergents can be harsh on
bottles. Sterilise the feeding equipment by bringing a pot of water to
the boil on the stove top and submerge all items fully for 2-3 minutes.
Alternatively, the Avent or Nuk range of microwave and electric
sterilisers are convenient and easy to use, and will kill all pathogenic
germs during their cycles. These sterilisers use steam sterilisation
based on the hospital method.
When heating breast milk
to feed your baby, place the bottle in a container of hot water to warm
the contents evenly. Alternatively the Avent or Nuk bottle warmer can be
used - these will also heat baby food jars safely. Test the temperature
of the milk before feeding your baby by tipping the bottle upside down
and letting a few drops fall on the inside of your wrist. The milk
should not feel hot, room or body temperature is about right.
Breast feeding is
recommended for the first 12 months of your baby's life as it
provides essential nutrients to help your baby grow, and provides
immunity against illness. Sometimes it is not always an option for a
mother to fully breast feed because of medical reasons such as a
low milk supply or inverted nipples, or the need to return to work.
While there are products available that many have found helpful in
breast feeding their baby, if you do need to use an alternative then a
suitable age appropriate milk formula is recommended over cows milk.
Baby and toddler formula has been especially formulated, while cows milk
is low in iron, vitamins and other minerals essential to baby's good
growth and well-being.
If you would like more
assistance in your breast feeding or bottle feeding requirements, please
contact info@miraclebaby.co.nz
for experienced advice.
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