Supplementation
Supplementing With Formula
The American Academy
of Pediatrics has put out guidelines stating that no supplements,
including water, glucose water and formula, should be given to
breastfeeding newborns unless medically necessary. They further state
that supplements are rarely needed with sound breastfeeding knowledge
and practices and that in the first six months, water, juice and other
foods are generally unnecessary for breastfed infants.
Although breast milk
is the best thing to feed a baby, sometimes there is not a choice. A mother may have a low milk
supply or may be working and unable to pump or express her milk while at work.
In
the rare case that you aren't able to produce enough breast milk, you
can still nurse so that you can give your baby the many nutrients he
wouldn't get any other way. At each feeding, breastfeed first before
offering formula to finish up the meal. Using this procedure will
also help to maximize your milk production.
If you must supplement due to a limited milk supply you could try
placing formula in a supplemental nursing system. To
use this method, formula is placed in a container with a small tube that
is taped to your breast and extended beyond the tip of the nipple. As
your baby suckles, he drinks formula and you are feeding the baby from
your breast. This method also helps to provide stimulation of the breast
which will promote milk production or increased supply, and it teaches
your baby to nurse while helping to establish your supply. Even if there
is not enough breast milk to sustain the baby, you will enjoy the bond
that breastfeeding creates, and if your baby gets any breast milk at all
he will at least be benefiting from some of its disease fighting
components.
Breastfeeding and
bottle feeding require learning how to coordinate breathing and
swallowing in different ways. Since learning to use a bottle is a
totally new skill for a baby, it is a good idea to wait until your
breastfeeding relationship is well established, typically about a month,
so that supplementing with a bottle will not interfere with his
breastfeeding. You should also try to introduce the bottle at least a
week or two before you go back to work so that you can ease your baby
into learning this new skill.
It usually works
better to have someone other than yourself give your baby the bottle,
especially his first one, so that he doesn't get confused. You can
experiment with different bottle nipples to see if your baby shows a
preference, however we highly recommend that you use the "breast
shaped" type with slow flow nipple as they're most like the breast and
can help with the transition. With a slow flow nipple your baby will
have to work some to get the milk out, just as he does with the
breast, and it can help to keep him from resisting the breast when you
are able to nurse. Some babies take the bottle more easily if they are
facing out since chest to chest reminds them of breastfeeding.
If your baby simply refuses to take a bottle, try using a small cup, spoon,
shot glass or a syringe. Cup feeding is pretty easy and even
small newborns can cup feed with a little practice, be sure to allow
the baby to sip at his own pace and do not pour the formula into
his mouth. Another alternative is to finger feed, placing a feeding
device such as a syringe in the baby's mouth along with your finger -
as he sucks the finger the milk is slowly fed.
Solid Foods
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding exclusively
for six months, and continuing through twelve months, while beginning to
introduce solid foods around six months.
Starting solids is a developmental step for babies, therefore they may begin to experience the need for solid foods at
different ages. Some babies will be
ready for solids before six months, and others will be ready after six
months. You should observe your baby for signs that he's ready for solid
foods. If it seems
like he's nursed plenty and is still wanting more, if he's able to
sit up and put things into his mouth and shows interest in
your food or in chewing, then your baby is probably ready for solids.
Try introducing solids after nursing since breast milk will remain
your baby's main source of calories and nutrition. If he eagerly accepts the
solid foods then he is ready, if he turns away or pushes the food out and is
disinterested, wait a week or so and try again.
It's best to introduce just one food at a time and watch for allergic
reactions. If all goes well you can introduce another new food within a
few days or a week. Soft fruits, like a mashed banana, and cooked
vegetables make great first foods. To begin with, just give your baby
solids during one mealtime and always nurse first since most of his
nutrition will still be coming from your breast milk. Gradually your
baby will begin eating more solid foods and will naturally cut back on
breastfeeding. Do not give your child cow's milk until after he is at
least a year old.
If your baby still refuses solid foods after six or
seven months, you may need to give him an iron supplement. As their
first year progresses, most babies begin to have a decrease in their
iron levels and eating solid foods decreases the
risk of anemia.
Vitamin Supplements
Vitamin supplements are
unnecessary for the full term
baby as breast milk provides everything the baby could ever need. Iron supplements are also
unnecessary. There are a some special cases when supplementation of mother's
milk may be called for - occasionally very
small premature babies may need extra vitamins and minerals, and in
places or
countries where babies are never in the sun, Vitamin D supplements may
be necessary. If the baby is in the sun for a couple minutes a day,
then this is not necessary. Although rare, babies whose mothers are on strict vegetarian
diets without milk, meat or fish may sometimes need vitamin B12
supplements. |
