Figuring out the best way to bottle feed a newborn can be a little intimidating. While the milk may come naturally, perfecting the feeding may take some time. Getting just the right angles sometimes feels like following instructions from the Kama Sutra. But always remember that while there is no right or wrong way to position your baby for feeding, good positioning is essential to help your baby latch correctly and swallow properly. Plus, having a few positions under your belt means that you have a backup whenever pain or soreness occurs, or when your baby gets bigger and less easy to hold.
Bottle Feeding Positions
Here are some bottle feeding positions you can try.
Cradle Hold
This one bottle feeding position is ideal for feeding a newborn. For this hold, you will want to choose a chair with armrests and one where you can sit up relatively straight. Bring the baby across your body to where her head will rest comfortably in the crook of your elbow. Put your hand on the baby’s leg or butt for added support. Your baby will be slightly inclined. Bring the bottle to your baby’s mouth without having to lean forward. This should be comfortable both for you and your baby.
Facing You
For this position, you will sit either on the couch with your back against the armrest or on the floor with your back against the couch. In either case, you will bend your knees and place the baby against your thighs with his bottom resting against your belly. The baby’s back will be straight, and you can maintain eye contact with him. You can also choose to place your baby on his or her side while sitting in this same position. In this instance, your baby will lie on one thigh with his back and head against your other thigh. This position is good for babies who tend to regurgitate while feeding.
Sit Baby Up
If your baby frequently suffers from acid reflux or gas that becomes painful, you may want to try this feeding position. You will place your baby on your lap in a position where she is mostly upright but where she can still lean against your body. Her head will rest on your chest. With one arm you will hold her in place and you will use your other arm to bring the bottle to her lips.
Use a Boppy pillow
A Boppy is a pillow that you can use to help prop your baby up to help facilitate feeding. These pillows can be used for propping when your child is about three months old. With the “c” opening facing you, sit your baby inside the pillow so that his back and sides are supported by the pillow and his legs are pointing towards you, through the opening.
Choosing a good position is important
Choosing a good position is important to help prevent your baby from suckling improperly and choking. Your baby’s pelvis and spine must be perpendicular and his or her head must be situated in a straight line. Optimally, you will want your baby in a half-lying or half sitting position. However, placing your baby squarely on his or her back is a no-no because it increases the risk of baby aspirating on the formula. Whichever position you choose, you want one that is both comfortable for your baby and for you. Also, remember that after each feeding, it’s important to burp your baby to decrease the chances of them spitting up or being gassy and fussy.
THE SPOTLIGHT
We’d like to highlight just a few popular products that you could try as you navigate bottle feeding your baby. While we are not medical experts, we are offering these based on recommendations from moms that have used them and from Amazon’s ratings.
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