The best container for our babies to take breast milk is our breast, but sometimes, like when we have to go back to work, we can not be by their side.
The feeding / supplementation methods allow us to continue giving them the best. When we think of ways to feed our baby with expressed breast milk, or artificial milk, the first thing we think about is a bottle. In fact, the bottle is a method of feeding or supplementation not recommended by the WHO or by UNICEF, because of the risks of bacterial contamination that it entails. But we must know that there are many methods of supplementation, that according to your circumstance you can use one or the other, or even several! Here we present them all, according to the age of your baby and your needs choose the one you think is right:
Syringe-finger
In this method, the baby has to be seated or incorporated. Carefully insert the little finger of the adult (after washing the hands and, if necessary, cutting the fingernail to avoid hurting it) in the baby's mouth. The palm of the hand must be placed upwards and with the fingertip the palate is stimulated, which produces the suction of the baby. At the corners of the lips, the syringe is placed and administered. The baby with his suction marks the rhythm of the shot, when he sucks the syringe is squeezed and milk is given. When he stops, the adult stops giving milk until he sucks again.
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This method is ideal for specific shots or for small babies, or to administer colostrum during the first days of life. It is also very useful for babies who have difficulty sucking or who reject the chest, since when sucking the finger they should keep the tongue in a position similar to what they would have when suckling.
The easiest way to learn this technique is to see how others do it. Do not hesitate to enter YouTube and search for the keywords "finger feeding" or "finger syringe". Surely you find many interesting videos.
Glass or spoon
Although it seems impossible, even premature babies can be fed in a cup. To get them to drink milk and not choke, the baby must first be seated. The cup or spoon will be placed on the upper lip to allow the baby to lick the milk. The baby will stick out his tongue and collect small amounts of milk.
It is important to note that in small babies NEVER pour milk into the mouth as the baby may choke or suck the milk. The only challenge of this method is that, sometimes, you can spill enough milk and if it is expressed breast milk it is a pity that it is lost. This method is suitable for babies and children of any age if it is done respecting the needs that we have indicated.
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Starter cup
The starter cups are easy to get at any grocery store or hypermarket. There are two types of starter vessels, those with an anti-tip valve that prevent milk from spilling accidentally. If they do not have the valve, this method is ideal for babies over 6 months who can hold the glass and swallow without difficulty. If they have the anti-tip valve, babies, from 4 months of age, should learn to make a vacuum to use them, since they should take the milk as if it were sucked from a straw.
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Water bottle Special athletes
For older babies, more than 8 months, it can be a great method of night feeding when the mother is not at home or wants to try to wean at night. It is very economical and they manage the amount they want to take.
Feeding bottle
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As we said at the beginning, the bottle is the most used method to perform supplementation or feeding with expressed milk. If you want to give milk with this method it is important to use the so-called Kassing method that allows babies to drink milk in the most physiological way possible.
The Kassing method consists of placing the baby seated, the adult should keep the bottle as horizontal as possible so that it is the baby who regulates the milk intake and does not stress. Taking small breaks and even taking the bottle out of your mouth every 20 sucks can prevent the baby from taking more milk than it needs.
Each caregiver must find the most effective method to offer milk to the baby, following your instructions and preferences, sure you will find the most appropriate.
Don't be careless about your by anyhow feeding.
Thank you for reading.
