Do you notice that your baby spiting up milk more often than usual, seems uneasy and is crying a lot? Then, most probably he or she more likely to have reflux, or gastro-oesophageal reflux, which is a common problem in babies, especially premature ones.
Generally, reflux occurs during the first three months of age in more than half of all infants due to an immature digestive system. However, some babies have severe symptoms (for example poor weight gain, eating difficulties, chest infections, etc.) and medical evaluation and treatment is needed by the doctor.
Ways to help your baby
- Kangaroo Care after each feed will help your baby to settle the food.
- Feeding your baby with slightly smaller volumes of milk but increasing the frequency of feeds throughout the day
- Burping your baby after each meal.
- Hold your baby upright for as long as you can.
- Adjust the head end of the cot slightly higher by standing it on something stable so that your baby’s head is slightly raised. However, you should not put anything directly under your baby’s head.
- Hold your baby upright during feeding.
- Don’t use a pillow with a baby under 12 months old.
- Try to use feeding bottles for reflux and colic.
There is no doubt that breastfeeding is the best solution for your little one. Evidence has shown that breast milk can improve a baby’s mental and physical development, especially colostrum, the first ‘baby food’ and is critical for preterm infants. Every second and every drop of breast milk counts when a baby is born prematurely.
If you can not breastfeed your baby directly when he or she stays in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, then don’t give up on pumping breast milk for your baby as it can help give your baby the best chance at growing strong and enjoying a healthy normal life.
At the end of the day, feeding your child is still an amazing time to bond and get to know one another. Based on our research, we list out the most popular five feeding bottle brands for premature and new born babies below. Give your baby the best right from the start. Find the bottle that works for your baby.
Wishing you the enjoyable feeding process with your baby!
Dr Brown’s
The Dr Brown Natural Flow Feeding system has been shown to be of benefit to premature babies who have a poor sucking reflex and have problems competing with the vacuum found in unvented bottles.
It can also assist with the transfer of the babies from Naso-Gastric Tube feeding to normalized feeding allowing parents to feel a closer bond to feeding their pre term baby.
Playtex Petite drop ins
- Perfect for little mouths and premature babies
- Available in Slow Flow
- Silicone, BPA-free
In a clinical colic study shown here, Drop-Ins were found to reduce several indications of colic and distress in nursing babies. Because the Drop-Ins System mimics the feeding and breathing patterns of breastfeeding, infants were able to feed with increased ease and comfort.
Drop-Ins Nipples promote the latch-on technique that is most like breastfeeding. The soft nipples are gentle on a baby’s gums and come in two different textures–silicone or latex–so you can choose what works best for your baby.
MAM
The Anti-Colic bottle is specially designed to reduce colic gas and burps. It features an ultra-soft silicone nipple, which is easy for babies to latch on to because it feels just like mom and helps provide baby with a comfortable, stress free feed.
Tommee Tippee
The tommee tippee closer to nature sensitive tummy feeding bottle is designed for babies with excessive spit up, fussiness and gas. The super sensitive, unique tube and valve system provides optimum venting so baby takes in more milk and less air.
The soft, natural shaped nipple mimics the feel, flex and movement of breastfeeding, similar to mom’s own natural feeding action providing a smooth transition between breast and bottle. Always BPA-free for ultimate reassurance.
Medela Calma
Calma was developed using evidence-based research on babies’ natural feeding behaviour so you can enjoy your breastfeeding bond longer.
With Calma, the milk will only flow if your baby works and creates vacuum to remove the milk. This enables the feeding behaviour learned at the breast to be used with Calma.
Want to read more about Best Bottles for Breastfed Babies? Visit The Babble Out website