For all of you who are still unaware, there is World Breastfeeding Week that is celebrated every year between August 1 to August 7 to start dialogues over the importance of mothers breastfeeding their newborns. There are many questions that new mothers have about breastfeeding clearly because they do not want to go wrong with it. Also, breastfeeding is an important part of taking care of your baby’s health, however, if for any reason you are unable to do it, there are always healthy alternatives to it, and we have some advice for you on this by an expert.
Not being able to breastfeed your baby can happen because of various reasons. Sometimes the babies are not comfortable with the mother’s breast milk because it takes time to produce, even premature births can be a reason why babies refuse to take the mother’s milk or maybe your child prioritises sleep more. Well, women should know that this should not make them anxious because well, society makes them think that it is wrong. There are various alternatives to breastfeeding that mothers can always opt for. Some of the very common substitutes for breastfeeding are giving your breast milk to the child through a bottle or even buying breastmilk. However, one of the most used ways is the milk formulas that are easily available.
Dr. Vanshika Gupta Adukia, a Pregnancy/Childbirth and Lactation Specialist has also shared her expert opinion on this topic and given a detailed explanation of the alternatives to breastfeeding. According to Dr. Vanshika, the mother who is unable to offer breast milk to the infants can give the babies pumped milk. The doctor specifically recommends mothers take the support of a pediatrician in case of premature babies or one who is at risk of life. Dr. Vanshika also said that opting for formula milk is also an option available to mothers. The doctor also gave some tips to take care while giving formula milk to babies. The key points are-
- Use boiled water only for preparation.
- Read instructions to use the correct ratio of formula powder to boiled water.
- Never over dilute formula or use excessively concentrated formula milk for infants.
- Ensure formula milk once prepared is consumed within 2 hours from preparation.
- Always check the expiration date on the box. formulas come with instructions about how long an opened box can be used for. Follow those guidelines strictly.
Also Read: Why Do We Celebrate World Breastfeeding Week? Here’s All You Need To Know
As per Dr. Vanshika Gupta Adukia, formula milk is the next best choice for mothers if they cannot breastfeed.
