When it comes to bottle-feeding your baby, it is crucial to ensure that the amount of air swallowed is minimal. Air bubbles can actually harm your child by leading to digestive issues, discomfort, and very painful colic… These difficulties are even more challenging for parents to deal with!
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!"
To avoid reaching this point and having to treat symptoms related to colic and stomach aches caused by air swallowed during feedings, it makes sense to identify the situations that cause these air bubbles to appear.
Here are some practical tips to ensure a more comfortable feeding experience for your child!
CONTENTS:
- The way you shake the bottle when mixing affects the formation of air bubbles
- Finding the right bottle angle during feeding to reduce air intake and stomach discomfort
- Using an anti-colic bottle limits the appearance of air bubbles
- Fill the bottle according to the measured markings
- In summary
The way you shake the bottle when mixing affects the formation of air bubbles
Out of concern for quality, many parents shake the bottle vigorously before giving it to their child. This ensures the formula has no lumps and the powdered milk is completely dissolved in the bottle.
Unfortunately, excessive shaking leads to the formation of air bubbles, sometimes so tiny that they may not even be visible to the naked eye.
It is best to always shake the bottle gently rather than agitating it vigorously. Since baby formulas are designed to prevent clumping, simply rolling your bottle between your palms is enough to achieve a proper and safe mix.
Finding the right bottle angle during feeding to reduce air intake and stomach discomfort
A proper angle of the bottle while feeding is essential to reduce air intake and prevent stomach issues. Hold the bottle so that the milk fills the nipple, but without creating excessive pressure that can lead to air entering. Generally, it is recommended to offer the bottle to your child while holding it in a horizontal position.
Similarly, limit sudden movements during feedings to avoid shaking the bottle too much. Not only could too vigorous a gesture hurt your baby and make feeding harder, but overly fast movements may also increase the formation of air bubbles. Choose gentle, slow, and regular movements for a calm and comfortable feeding experience.
Using an anti-colic bottle limits the appearance of air bubbles
Anti-colic bottles are specifically designed to reduce air intake during feeding. They are equipped with ventilation systems that allow air to flow without coming in direct contact with the milk.
Did you know that the anti-colic bottle from Elhée was created to offer maximum comfort to your child, during and after their milk feeding?
Our bottle, made from medical-grade silicone, and therefore with no risk of plastic microparticle transfer into the child’s food, is equipped with a physiological nipple that is soft and replicates the feel of natural suction.
Baby can therefore enjoy a feeding experience similar to breastfeeding, without swallowing too much air!
Fill the bottle according to the measured markings
When preparing the bottle, avoid filling it to the very top! Even if you think that filling the empty space in the bottle will reduce the risk of digestive discomfort by eliminating visible air, it is actually better to leave some empty space to allow air to circulate and escape on its own.
Contrary to what you might expect, leaving a vacuum in the bottle actually helps reduce the formation of unwanted air bubbles. When you shake the bottle to mix the formula, the air inside can become trapped between the molecules of the liquid.
Additionally, this air space helps the liquid flow evenly and reduces the pressure on the nipple. Sucking is therefore smoother!
To keep track, refer to the graduation shown on the bottle itself. These markings guide you in how much liquid to pour in according to your baby’s age. If the capacity is 240 ml, respect the limit and don’t go above the rim… 😉
If your child has a big appetite and the bottle is too small to satisfy them, it’s better to move up to a larger size rather than overfilling the bottle at every feeding.
In summary
To help your baby avoid digestive problems, discomfort, and colic related to air intake, it is important to take certain precautions:
- For example, avoid shaking the bottle vigorously. Mix the formula gently to reduce the formation of troublesome air bubbles.
- Find the right angle when feeding and limit sudden movements, as they contribute to generating tiny air bubbles in the bottle.
- Always fill your bottle according to the measured markings to allow air to circulate and escape.
The use of an anti-colic bottle is highly recommended. It is equipped with a ventilation system that prevents air from entering the milk during feeding.
