Techniques for feeding premature babies through a tube and bottle

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Author of the article

Lyudmila Sergeevna Sokolova Pediatrician of the highest category

Reading time: 3 minutes

Article last updated: 05/02/2019

Of course, breast milk is the best nutrition for a newborn. Unfortunately, there are situations when it is not enough or there is no opportunity to breastfeed the baby. Then the question arises about feeding a baby from a bottle and how to do it correctly. Regardless of whether the bottle contains mother's milk or formula, there are some recommendations for feeding techniques that should be followed.

V. Algorithm for performing a simple medical service.

Breastfeeding a newborn baby.

Preparation for the procedure:

Explain to your mother the need for breastfeeding
Treat your hands hygienically, dry them, put on gloves
Make sure that mom washes her hands, washes her breasts and nipples; I put on a clean robe, scarf, and mask. She took a comfortable position, placing a stool under her feet.
Swap the baby.
Check the child's nasal breathing (if necessary, perform a nasal toilet).
Monitor the expression of the first drops of milk.

Performing the procedure:

Attach the baby to the breast (make sure you use the correct feeding technique - “grabbing” not only the nipple, but also the areola). The breast should not cover the baby's nasal passages (the mother pulls the breast away with two fingers).
The duration of feeding is regulated by the child (“agile” suck for 10-15 minutes; “lazy” - 30 minutes).
After feeding, place him in a vertical position very carefully for 3-5 minutes, then place him in the crib on his side.

How to bottle feed your baby correctly: positioning and regurgitation

Photo from the site: o-krohe.ru

As soon as you have everything ready, take the baby in your arms, keeping in mind that the position should be as comfortable as possible for both him and you. The easiest way is to hold the newborn the way you put him to the chest, with his head in the crook of his own elbow. This is the most natural position that will be comfortable for both.

Remember

You need to make sure that the baby's head is always slightly elevated. It should never tip over, as then he may choke and even choke. When feeding, she must “look” straight, otherwise turning may interfere with the baby’s swallowing.

Correct position

This position, as described above, is the easiest method to properly feed the baby, because this is how he will feel the immediate proximity of his mother.

Photo from the site: O-krohe.ru

It is extremely important that during feeding a psycho-emotional connection is established between mother and child; this will affect its development psychologically.
Be sure to keep in mind that pediatricians recommend not feeding the baby in a lying position, as this can lead to the mixture flowing into the middle ear, which can cause serious problems.
The bottle should be held slightly at an angle, but the nipple must be filled with the mixture. The bottle cannot be placed vertically, as the newborn may choke.

Please note that you need to properly tighten the bottle before feeding, without tightening the ring too much. Air must penetrate into it, otherwise the nipple will flatten, creating a vacuum inside the container, making it too difficult for the baby to suck. He will get tired and quickly throw away the pacifier, and may start crying for no apparent reason. Therefore, after twisting the bottle, slightly release the ring so that when feeding, small bubbles come out from under the cap.

Regurgitation and health

The baby himself does not yet know how to control the feeding process, so he can swallow air along with milk. This is why children often do not eat enough. The stomach, having received the required volume of substance, cannot immediately “figure out” whether the food is there or not. Therefore, it makes sense to take short breaks in feeding, but never let the baby fall asleep during them, and regurgitation of air will help avoid unpleasant colic in the intestines that are not yet well formed.

Photo from the site: Vskormi.ru

As soon as you see that the baby is tired or thinks he is full, put the bottle aside and lift him to an upright position, supporting him under the back and head. You can gently hold the baby to your chest and walk around the room with him for a few minutes. Massage his back, lightly pat his butt, this will help the air to separate from the food faster.

The lighter air remaining in the stomach will rise and your baby will burp. It makes sense to cover yourself with a towel or diaper, since along with the air, he can also vomit part of the mixture, staining your clothes. Pediatricians are silent about how to properly bottle-feed a newborn so that he does not spit up, because such a method that would work reliably simply does not exist in nature.

Baby's position during feeding

It is impossible for the baby to lie on his back while eating, because under the influence of gravity, milk flows out of the nipple of the bottle. In a horizontal position, a baby lying on his back may choke or choke on food.

You can correctly position the baby as follows: Position the newborn’s head slightly above the body. It is best to bend your arm at the elbow and place the baby’s head on the curve, making sure that the head and spine form a straight line. During bottle feeding, the baby's position should be approximately the same as during breastfeeding, especially when combining both types of feeding the baby.

Under no circumstances should you leave your baby alone while bottle feeding. You should not leave a bottle in your baby's mouth while he is sleeping.

Bottle feeding technique

Bottle feeding your baby isn't really that difficult. You just need to pay attention to a few simple rules:

Before you start feeding your newborn, you should make sure that the food for him is heated to a comfortable temperature, which is checked by the wrist. To do this, you need to drop a little and evaluate the temperature. Do not feed your baby cold or hot food.
Formula for a newborn must be prepared strictly following the instructions. You should always follow the expiration date of baby food indicated on the packaging.
When eating, the entire nipple does not have to be covered by the baby's lips. The baby should hold the oblong part of the pacifier in his mouth, and the round part should have lips.
It is necessary to hold the bottle correctly. The oblong part of the bottle nipple should always be filled with formula. This will prevent the baby from swallowing air along with food, otherwise the baby will suffer from colic.
There is no need to rush your baby when he is eating from a bottle. He should suck at a pace that is comfortable for him. You should not force your baby to finish the formula if he has finished eating.
Periodically check the condition of the bottle's nipple. Do not use a pacifier if it is deformed or flattened. In this case, it is necessary to replace it with a new one.

After feeding, you need to lightly pat the baby on the back so that he burps up the excess air captured during sucking. More than one video clip is devoted to the process of feeding a baby from a bottle, after watching which you will master this technique visually.

Pacifier selection

Set of bottle and pacifier for feeding a newborn baby

It is clear that you need to purchase the pacifier in the same place as the bottle: in a special store or pharmacy. Rubber, latex or silicone?

Regular rubber pacifiers in the shape of a light bulb that fit on a standard glass bottle are much softer than plastic and silicone ones. In addition, they easily take the shape of the baby’s tongue, which is very comfortable for the baby. The disadvantage is that they wear out and stretch quickly. In this state of affairs, the hole quickly turns into a gaping hole, from which the liquid no longer needs to be sucked out, but must be swallowed in time so as not to choke.

Both latex (slightly yellowish) and silicone (absolutely transparent) nipples are often made in the shape of a mother’s nipple (anatomical), and a special cross-shaped hole is already made in them so that milk gets into the mouth only during sucking movements. But, alas, not all of these nipples are suitable for a newborn.

Latex does not hold the shape given during casting well, it is harsh, and not all babies agree to take it in their mouths - it is painfully difficult to get rid of the smell of rubber even when boiled in a soda solution. Plus – relatively low price (2 times lower than silicone).

Silicone is often not an option for a newborn: slippery, thick and hard. For an older baby who can already squeeze such a pacifier in his mouth or even chew it a little, you can purchase this “pacifier.”

An excellent plus is that the pacifier does not absorb odors and is absolutely hypoallergenic.
Why is it worth buying all three types in pairs? So that the baby can choose the option he needs.
For a newborn, you should choose pacifier No. 0-1.

If you are planning to purchase a miracle horn with a special valve that will not allow the baby to swallow air and thereby reduce the number of gastrointestinal colics, then check that the edges of the nipple fit snugly to the opening of the bottle and are just as securely fixed by the lid itself

This is important so that the nipple does not suddenly jump out of the bottle during feeding and the mixture does not spill onto the baby’s face and nose.

Selection criteria and rules for caring for the bottle

Today there is a wide range of baby feeding bottles on sale.

It is important for parents to be able to choose a container that is suitable for their child. Experts advise buying 3 bottles: two main ones and a spare one.

It is recommended to pay attention to the following points:

volume. Determined by the age of the baby. A child under six months should buy bottles with a volume of 125-150 ml, and older children - 300-350 ml;
form. Preference should be given to containers that taper in the middle. They are more convenient to hold while feeding the baby. They rarely slip out of your hands;
material for making the container. It is better to give preference to glass. Plastic can release harmful components;
pacifier. It is recommended to choose products made of silicone and shaped like a nipple with an areola. Experts advise having 2-3 nipples in stock. The holes should be medium in size;
accessories. Some manufacturers offer models with a removable handle and measuring spoon. There are anti-colic options that prevent the baby from swallowing air during feeding.

Your baby's bottle should be cared for properly. The health of the baby depends on this.

Experts give the following recommendations:

Wash the bottle and nipple before and after each use. You can use a brush for this. This device should be changed every two months. The use of dishwashing detergents is prohibited. It is permissible to use only warm soapy water;
disinfect the container. To do this, you can use a special sterilizer. If it is not there, then you should boil the bottle and nipples for three minutes over low heat;
To keep the container clean longer, it must be covered with a protective cap.

The perfect time to bond with your baby

It is believed that if a mother does not breastfeed, the emotional connection with the baby is weaker than with breastfeeding. However, it is not. You can also develop a strong bond with your baby and avoid the “guilt” that is so common among non-breastfeeding mothers by bottle feeding.

It is important to understand that in the first months of a child’s life, feeding is a moment for communication between the parent and the baby, so this process should be approached as the most magical time during the day.

Here are some tips for you on how to establish an emotional connection and intimacy with your baby:

Create warm physical contact:
during feeding, gently hold your baby close to you, stroke and show care. Let your child's hands be free so he can touch you.
Create verbal contact:
talk to your baby in a gentle voice, try to convey your love and tenderness through your speech.
Create “eye to eye” visual contact:
look into the baby’s eyes, smile. Scientists have proven that close visual contact with parents is vital for a child in the first months and years of life. This gives the child a sense of security in the unfamiliar world around him.
Be calm and emotionally relaxed:
enjoy these wonderful moments and try to convey your positive energy to your child.

After feeding, hold the baby in your arms, stroke and talk to him. The total contact time should be at least 20–30 minutes.

This method of feeding is especially recommended for mothers who really wanted to breastfeed their child, but for certain reasons cannot do this. As a result of such communication with the baby, the “feeling of guilt” should be removed.

Remember that feeding a newborn in close emotional and physical contact with the mother contributes to the harmonious development of the baby and affects your relationship in subsequent years. It’s worth including dad in the feeding to allow him to be “closer” to the baby and establish a strong bond.

The whole process will become the most relaxing and favorite part of your day if feeding is as comfortable as possible. For this, it is equally important to choose the right bottle.