Introduction to baby feeding equipments

To welcome a new member in family is a joyous feeling for almost every couple. Before arrival of their new baby, they must decide whether they will bottle feed or breast feed their coming baby. There is a variety of baby feeding equipments for both breast feeding and bottle feeding. If it is decided earlier that what kind of feeding is to be given to her baby, it becomes easy for mother to get according baby feeding equipments.

Whether to feed your baby by bottle or breast, this decision is to be taken only by mother alone. You must not listen to others or in pressure that “you must do this”. You just have to prove yourself as a ‘good mother’. What your baby needs is food, you just provide her nutrition that she needs, and then you are a ‘good mother’. Whatever must be the form of feeding, the main intention must be to give your baby nutrition. It is true that mother’s milk is the perfect and complete food for the baby, but if mother wants to feed her baby by formula, that’s also not bad.

Bottle feeding equipments

There are many kinds of bottle feeding equipments; you may go for any of the following…

1. Bottles – there are many varieties in bottles for bottle-feeding. Different designs, shapes and sizes. Mother must buy the bottle according to the amount of milk the baby needs. Bottles come in different sizes such as four oz bottles, six oz bottles and nine oz bottles. Mother must go for disposable bottle if she has travel everyday with her baby. There are different types of bottles, such as, of glass, plastic, steel and even comes in disposable plastics.
   
   
2. Sterilizers – this equipment is use to sterilize or disinfect your baby’s bottles, soothers, teats and other accessories. All these things must be thoroughly sterilized after each use to prevent the health diseases. There are different types of sterilizers; those are; electric steam sterilizer, microwave steam sterilizer and chemical sterilizer.
   
   
3. Teats – bottles with teats are advisable to start with a slow flow for new born babies. The material used for it is latex.
   
   
4. Drinking spout – babies those coming of the breastfeeding do not always accept a bottle with teat, drinking spout helps in this reason.
   
   
5. Bottle brush – it is very important that your baby’s bottle is been washed thoroughly, before sterilizing the bottle you must clean the bottle thoroughly by bottle brush, so that there must not be any adhered milk remain in the bottle.

Breast feeding equipments

It is been proved that mothers milk is the best food for the baby. Before going for breast feed, mother must have few things which are needed for breast feeding purpose. Those are as follows,

1. Breast pump – there are two types of breast pumps, electric breast pump and manual breast pump. Electric pump is expensive but fast and easy to use, while manual pump is cheap but is helpful in that case where milk is to be pumped few times a week. Expressing milk also helps to relieve the discomfort of sore and cracked nipples.
   
   
2. Storage equipments – If mother is working or is going out, she will need it to store the milk. These equipments are bags or bottles. There are different varieties of disposable storage equipment bags. These bags or bottles are pre-sterilized.
   
   
3. Nipple protection – prevention of cracked nipples is much important during breast-feeding. This equipment is triangular in shape and reduces the flow of milk by covering the breast. Application of ointments on nipples is also effective in cracked nipples after breast feeding but before going for feeding mother must clean the breast. It is made from extremely thin soft silicone material that fits to all nipples.
   
4. Nursing bra – mother must buy breast feed bra at the end of pregnancy. Bra must be of good quality. Must be adjustable in size with co-ordinance of breast size and comfortable to wear.
   
   
5. Breast pad – breast pads are used to protect mother’s clothing from stains of milk and it also absorbs the leak of milk. These are washable as well as in disposable type. Disposable are more expensive comparative to washable pads. Breast pads are available in different shapes and sizes.

Weaning equipments

Pediatricians generally recommend babies to start weaning near about the age of six months. By this time your baby’s mouth, jaw and digestive system becomes ready to consume solid foods. Another idea to start the weaning is that when your baby’s weight is doubled, but this feature is not always true. But as soon as your baby is ready, you must start introducing solid foods. There are many equipments needed for your baby to start weaning, those are as follows,

Unbreakable bowls – it is sure that one bowlful of food is to be end up on floor so try to give your baby unbreakable bowls.

Soft spoons – spoons made from rubber or plastics are good for babies so that it will not make any injury to your baby’s mouth.

Left over containers – during feeding your baby, you must separate the food into portions and make sure to feed only one portion at one time and throw the left over.

Food processor – though it is not so important but easy to save time and provides a proper texture of food needed by baby.

High chair – it is not compulsory but makes easy to feed your baby. Seat your baby in chair with cushions to support her neck and head.