Switching From Breastfeeding To Formula at 2 Weeks
Breast milk is nature’s milk. So, by implication, it is the healthiest meal that you can give to your baby. But, you see, for one reason or another, not every mother can breastfeed her baby, and we should not be biased on this, and that is why there are other healthy options like formula feeding. Contrary to some beliefs, formula feeding does not hurt a child’s health, although it may not be as nutritionally high as breast milk. And also, formula feeding does not affect the bonding between mother and child. So what are the likely consequences of Switching From Breastfeeding To Formula at 2 Weeks
In this article, we will be exploring the world of formula feeding, specifically switching from breast milk to formula when your baby( is 2 weeks old.
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However, before we delve into the deets, do not forget to visit a medical practitioner for any issue you might experience while formula feeding. Alright, shall we begin?
What To Know About Switching From Breastfeeding To Formula at 2 Weeks
There are certain things mothers should have more insight on when taking their babies on the transition from breast milk to formula at 2 weeks and, like I would emphasize, in some general cases.
Every baby is unique
Moms, this is coming first because this is the foundation of everything. Your baby is different from another baby, so what might work for that baby might not be the same rule that would apply to yours, especially on this formula feeding journey.
Usually, between the first to the third week of your baby’s life, your baby would need between 1 to 2½ ounces per pound daily. Some two weeks old babies take as high as 3 ounces.
It all depends on their type of stomach. This should not cause fear or panic if your baby does not take in a lot, although you should check with your pediatrician from time to time to ensure that everything is fine.
Always have it in the back of your mind that your baby is unique, and the amount of ounces needed for your baby to grow healthy and strong is different from the amount another baby would need to be strong and healthy.
Feeding time depends on the amount of formula taken
Mothers are usually advised to ensure that the feeding is spaced between 3 to 4 hours. To be more specific, moms are told to formula feed their babies every 2 to 3 hours or 3 to 4 hours during the day and 4 to 5 hours during the night.
However, it is essential to note that a rule of thumb works when spacing the timing for feeding your baby with the formula: more quantity intake, more time spacing, and less quantity intake, less time spacing.
For example, when your two-week-old baby is formula-fed between 2½ to 4 ounces, ensure that 3 to 4 hours must have gone the next time you feed them.
This is because the simple stomach of your baby must properly digest formula meals before supplying them with another intake again.
The switch from breast milk to formula can be abrupt or gradual
You can decide how the transitioning can be for your baby: it can be abrupt or gradual. What does this mean? You can either choose to abruptly stop breastfeeding your 2-week-old baby and give them formula milk, while on the other hand, you can choose to give a gradual switch by breastfeeding during the day and formula feeding during nighttime.
You can decide to introduce formula milk by giving more formula and less breast milk and begin to lessen it more and more till it is just formula milk.
This also answers whether mothers can mix giving breastfeeding alongside formula for their 2 weeks old babies and above. The answer is simple: yes, you can.
Can I give my 2 week old breast milk and formula?
Is it okay to switch from breastmilk to formula?
How long does it take a baby to adjust to formula from breast milk?
Healthy Ways To Make And Store Formula
Do not add anything to the formula
Formulas are a close substitute for breast milk. It is not wise to add sugar, honey, milk, or any additional sweeter or supplements to the formula mixture. Quality formulas have the right proportion of ingredients close to that of breast milk that your 2 week old baby needs.
Storing formula milk isn’t always the best option
The truth is many mothers may not always have the time to make a fresh bottle of formula every time the baby is hungry, so they store several bottles in the refrigerator.
However, this does not rule out the fact that storing is not ideal or the best option.
The formula is best served fresh –and, understandably, it might be inconvenient even for the baby who might have to cry till their mom makes the meal.
In situations where formula storage is required, unopened formula-made bottles should be refrigerated for nothing more than 24 hours.
A formula made and mixed in a bottle left at room temperature should be used within 2 hours of preparation.
And after you feed your baby and it remains some content in the bottle, to avoid any form of infection, ensure that the baby takes the formula within 10 minutes, or the formula should be washed away.
Hot water is ideal for preparation
Ideally, hot water is best used for preparing your baby’s formula. Here’s why: hot water can dissolve the mixture better than cold water.
However, this does not imply you should feed your baby while it’s really hot, or your baby can not be fed formula when it is cold.
The water does not have to be boiling; it can be warm-hot. Even when warm-hot, it should be left to cool so that your baby doesn’t get injured by the heat pressure.
Even when the mixed formula is kept in the fridge and brought out, ensure that the content returns to room temperature before feeding.
Have You Read These Yet?
Changing from breastmilk to formula side effects
How do you know if you need to change your baby’s formula
Tips On Switching Your 2 Weeks Old Baby From Breast Milk To Formula
Moms, be comfortable
Do you know that your baby can feel your emotions? Yes, they pick up those cues. So whether it is you or your partner or your baby’s grandparent, whosoever it is, that person must ensure that they are comfortable.
If you feed your baby when you are unhappy, frustrated, or in a rush, your baby would sense it and may not want to feed.
Nursing a baby is indeed not easy, and if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, you can call on a trusted person like your partner, sibling, friend, or in-law who is present at the moment to help feed your baby.
If no one is around, it is important to calm yourself so that you can pass on happy cues to your baby.
Shop for a soft, fast-flow nipple piece
The goal is to give your baby that breast feel. Your 2 week old baby’s mouth is tender, so it requires a soft rubber-nipple piece.
Do not purchase any bottle with any nipple piece; ensure that the nipple piece is soft. Also, your 2 week old baby doesn’t have to go through the stress of pulling/sucking hard at the nipple piece for milk; they are still very tender.
What a 2 week old baby needs are a nipple piece that pours out milk easily. To get that, preferably buy a soft nipple piece that has multiple holes on it. Let the only effort they make is to open their mouths.
Do not switch brands
Purchase the best quality formula for your baby and stick to it. Please consult with your pediatrician on the choicest brand to buy, and do not change it. Once a baby starts with a brand, it would be tough and stressful to change what they are accustomed to –they might utterly refuse to feed.
Feeding positioning is important
Some mothers say it is advisable not to hold the baby breastfeeding when feeding with a bottle. Well, that might work for an older baby.
However, your two week old baby needs to be held in a breastfeeding position when being fed. They need that body-to-body warmth. In addition, it is essential for their Cognitive functioning.
Also, during feeding, they would suck in more air from the atmosphere, which can cause them to burp. To ensure that during feeding, hold them to your shoulder and rub their backs to let them burp from time to time.
Start with a bit of quantity
It is important to start from little till you know when you discover how much they can consume. It is advisable to start with as low as 10ml.
Feed in a quiet environment
This is a general rule of baby feeding: ensure that the environment is quiet when feeding. This is to avoid them being distracted from the feeding.
Finally, in all that you do, ensure that your baby is not famished before feeding. Do not use that to make them feed on formula if they are not yet into it. Maintaining a consistent feeding time daily would make the journey easier.