Being the most fascinating creature in the whole world, babies sure are every parent's irreplaceable asset! We, as a parent indulge ourselves in making our baby healthy and happy every moment.
Our schedule is organized by matching their playtime, eating time, nap time, etc. Being a new parent, it becomes quite difficult to understand how the parenting task works! How to feed, how to burp, how to make them sleep, how safe is it to travel, and a zillion other doubts to be followed!
If it is a premature baby, panicking during every minor decision is evident. To ease your parenting responsibility, we have gathered some useful information about bottle feeding a preemie:
When is the right time?
Well, as advised by the pediatricians, the preemie babies can be fed with bottles between 32 to 36 weeks.
However, it is recommended to consult your doctor before starting the process. The doctor will provide suitable suggestions regarding your queries.
How often can you bottle feed your baby?
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Well, this differs from baby to baby. Some babies have a habit of waking up in the middle of their sleep as they are hungry. On the other hand, some babies practice their "discipline" by following their mommy's time table.
Thus, you can feed your baby every 3 to 5 hours of duration. Make sure to carefully carry out the process without any urgency. Just so you know, feeding time must not take no longer than 30 minutes of duration.
Will the ambiance make any difference while bottle feeding a preemie?
Of course, yes! Having a clean, quiet place while bottle feeding your baby is essential. As some babies turn out to be cranky while they are hungry, you should not force them to feed in the middle of chaos or in a messy room!
Make sure the surrounding is calm, quiet, and soothing. Thus, your baby can happily fill his/her belly without showing any tantrums.
A little know-how
Before you begin bottle-feeding your baby, try to make them cope with this transformation by practicing some tricks:
Oral stimulation
To make your baby prepared for bottle feeding, oral stimulation is known to be effective. Using your fingers, try carefully stroking your baby's tongue, mouth, gums, and cheeks. So, these are the parts involved while drinking milk either by breastfeeding or bottle feeding.
By gently stroking the parts, you eventually make your baby aware of the transformation and it should be ok. So, it is advised to carry out this process before and after feeding.
Read also: How to correct a shallow latch breastfeeding
As a parent you should lend your support
Well, as drinking is completely dependent on baby, there are some comfortable gestures you can create as a parent. Encourage bottle feeding by easing your baby by making them feed in a clean, quiet, and comfortable place.
Holding them by 45-60 degrees as they sit makes them comfortable and stress-free. Also, make sure you support their head with your non-dominant hand.
Use your dominant hand or the one holding the feeding bottle in providing oral support.
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"Parent-panic" situations!
As a new parent, you are going to go through a phase wherein every day, every moment is unpredictable. Here are some of the common problems that your baby can put you in a panic situation. Also, we have cracked the code of overcoming those situations.
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An extra puff of air!
While bottle-feeding, it is evident that your baby can get some extra amount of air in his/her mouth. Well, this can be dealt with if you stay calm and don't panic!
Just so you know: You can avoid this kind of situation by simply burping your baby amidst the feeding. Also, just to be sure, you can carry out the burping process after you finish the bottle feeding.
Make sure you hold your baby carefully. Now, all you need to do is to gently pat on their back while making sure they are held upright. Your baby should be fine within 1 to 3 minutes!
Holding of breath!
Now, one more situation which can turn a parent's world upside down is the baby choking. Yes, being a new parent, it is sometimes difficult to know and learn all at once.
So, why don't you better be prepared? When you witness that your baby is facing some uneasiness, making them difficult to breathe, spitting, holding their breath, or if you notice your baby's face turn blue or pale, this is what you do.
First, breathe. Don't be nervous. Make your baby sit on your lap or hold them on your shoulder, whatever suits you. Now, gently pat them and making them ease out the situation. Be calm, relax. Your baby should be fine in a while.
Takeaway
Handling a baby, that too a preemie can be quite sensitive. But, by knowing some knacks, valuing their comfort, and observing their tantrums, you can assure yourself that you can be a good parent. It all starts by being responsible. Enrich your knowledge, cope with the circumstances!
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