For new mums catching up on their journey of motherhood, working class mums about to resume from the short maternity leave, it’s time to decide whether to introduce infant formula to your baby or express breast milk to preserve it for your baby while you are away.
Whatever decision you take we support you and we hope these guidelines assist your choice.
Breast Milk
Breast Milk is the milk produced by a woman when she has a baby that contains all the nutrients that the baby needs. It is believed that breast milk contains strong antibodies and antitoxins that promotes healing. Some of the health benefits of breast milk are
- Decreased risk of sudden infant death syndrome,
- Increased intelligence
- Decreased likelihood of getting sick
- Decreased risk of obesity later in life,
- Decreased risk of developing psychological disorders
- Decreased risk of some type of cancer
- Reduced stress level and risk of postpartum depression
How to Preserve and Prepare it
- Make sure that you have cleaned and sterilized containers for the breast milk. The mother will express the milk for the baby
- Breast milk can be stored in the fridge for 24hrs and in the freezer for 3 months. Please be aware of milk in the freezer if you are having a power failure.
- Defrost milk from the freezer by leaving the container in a jug of boiled water to defrost. This takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Formula or breast milk is best served at room temperature or slightly warmer.
- Heat the bottle in a jug of boiling water; it gets hot quickly so it’s important to check the temperature before you feed the baby. You can do this by pouring a few drops on the inside of your wrist.
- We do not recommend using a microwave to heat milk or food as it destroys a lot of the goodness. If you do, make sure you shake the bottle or stir the food well – at least 20 seconds to prevent the baby getting burnt.
Infant formula: Infant formula is a manufactured food designed and marketed for feeding to babies and infants under 12 months of age.
How to Prepare Formula
- Clean and sterilize the bottles, teats and bottle teat rims.
- Boil water and allow it to cool to room temperature.
- Pour the water into the bottle according to the quantity the baby is drinking, the instructions on the tin of formula will tell you this.
- Add the formula powder using the scoop in the tin and make sure you level the scoops. Always mix the right amount of water to formula; too much formula will cause constipation and too little will leave them hungry.
- Store these bottles in the fridge and add the formula just before feeding time. Do not add formula until you are ready to use the bottle as the milk may go sour.
- Do not keep unfinished bottles for later use.
Tip: Clean and sterilize the bottles and pour the cool boiled water into the bottles at the beginning of the day.
You have to wash your hands with soap and water before you prepare your baby’s food and before you feed your baby.
Nannies/ child care owners should know that it is very important to follow the same routine as the mother, talk to her about when, how much and what the baby should be fed.
Feeding & Burping
- Make sure that you are organized and that you have everything you need ready before feeding the baby. (Bib or burp cloth, blanket, bottle etc.)
- Stick to the same feeding times that the mother has set out in the routine.
- Never rush the feeding as this will upset the baby. .
- Burp the baby half way through the bottle and then again after they have finished their feed.
- Do not talk on the telephone while feeding the baby.
- Never be tempted to feed the baby from your own breasts especially if you have milk from feeding your own baby.
- Most babies regularly choke on their milk when they are young.
- The best thing to do is to sit the baby upright and gently pat or rub its back until the choking stops.
- Sometimes they may vomit, usually because they have swallowed too much air. Just wipe up the mess and when they are calm, you can continue with their bottle.
BURPING
Burping means to help a baby let out air from the stomach especially by patting or rubbing the baby’s back. Babies get air in their tummy (a wind) from time to time and the best way to get it out is to use the following methods
- Keep the baby stretched out straight and upright, rubbing or patting it on the back.
- Lay the baby across your lap, again rubbing or patting it on the back.
- Sit the baby on your lap and pat or rub it on the back. This is not always effective as the baby’s stomach is folded, making it difficult for air to rise and escape.