Aside from breastfeeding, here are 5 feeding alternatives for newborns
There’s no single “right” way to feed your newborn.
New moms, whether you’re planning to breastfeed, considering formula, or a combination of both, you have a variety of feeding options to nourish your precious newborn.
Breastfeeding may offer numerous benefits for both mom and baby, but it’s not always the easiest or most suitable option for everyone.
Here are five alternative feeding methods that can ensure your baby receives the essential nutrients they need to thrive in those early weeks and months.
1. Formula feeding
Donor milk banks provide a safe and valuable resource for babies who cannot receive breast milk directly from their mothers. Milk donated by screened and qualified mothers is pasteurised and tested before being distributed to hospitals and clinics.
4. Cup feeding
Cup feeding is a non-traditional feeding method that involves offering expressed breast milk or formula to a baby from a small cup rather than a bottle.
While not suitable for newborns in the initial weeks, cup feeding can be introduced later as a complementary feeding method alongside breastfeeding or bottle feeding.
Benefits of cup feeding
Cup feeding encourages the development of sucking, swallowing, and coordination skills used later during solid food introduction.
Introducing cup feeding alongside breastfeeding can help prevent nipple confusion in some babies who might reject a bottle nipple.
Some babies experience less gas with cup feeding compared to bottle feeding.
5. Paced bottle feeding
Paced bottle feeding is a feeding approach that mimics the natural flow and rhythm of breastfeeding.
It allows the baby to control the pace of feeding, taking breaks and regulating their intake similar to how they would at the breast.
Benefits of paced bottle feeding
Paced feeding helps prevent overfeeding, which can lead to gas, spit-up, and discomfort in babies.
The feeding experience becomes more interactive, allowing for close eye contact and communication between caregiver and baby.
Babies learn to listen to their hunger cues and stop feeding when they’re full, promoting healthy eating habits.
Ultimately, the best choice is the one that works for you and your baby
