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Can Formula Milk Be Given To The Child With A Spoon When Breast Milk Is Less?
Question: hi I am XXXX and blessed with a baby girl on march 2 2018, she was born via c section and in the initial days like 2 days i could not feed her with my own milk, so we gave her formula milk powder, the doctor advised to keep giving this milk every two hours... from yesterday that is 7th March I have stopped giving her formula milk and only my milk. However the problem is that now I m not able to feed her every two hours since she is not drinking my milk but in approx four to five hours I am feeding her. She is drinking my milk when she is hungry and I m not able to make her drink forcefully.... is this fine or shall I continue the formula milk as as well and feed her with spoon? I am attaching the picture of the formulae milk here.
Brief Answer:
Monitor the urine output
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
It is really good to know that you have switched back to breast milk. Let me emphasize on the fact that breast milk is the best possible milk for a baby and there can be no alternatives for the same. Most formula milks are cow milk based and hence difficult to digest. 5 hours interval might be a bit too much but you need to monitor the urine output. If the frequency is more than 6 times in 24 hours, you would know that the amount of feeding is adequate. Unless that is the case, you need to increase the frequency of breast feeds. If the amount of passage of urine is less or if the child is lethargic you would need to take the child to a doctor without delay.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if you have further queries.
Regards,
Dr. Diptanshu Das
Pediatrician
Monitor the urine output
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
It is really good to know that you have switched back to breast milk. Let me emphasize on the fact that breast milk is the best possible milk for a baby and there can be no alternatives for the same. Most formula milks are cow milk based and hence difficult to digest. 5 hours interval might be a bit too much but you need to monitor the urine output. If the frequency is more than 6 times in 24 hours, you would know that the amount of feeding is adequate. Unless that is the case, you need to increase the frequency of breast feeds. If the amount of passage of urine is less or if the child is lethargic you would need to take the child to a doctor without delay.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if you have further queries.
Regards,
Dr. Diptanshu Das
Pediatrician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
thank you so much for quick reply... I have the following questions: 1. the baby is a week old, when can I give her first bath? 2. when can I get her the massage and the massage to be give by the dai ma ( who does very harshly) or should I refer to the pediatrician video on YouTube where they show relaxing and soft massage for babies. 3. the baby girl vagina has a white thick substance I think its amniotic fluid, I am scared and not sure what's that... can I clean that up or show it to doctor first.... its from the day she was born. 4. when I breast feed the baby... I can not measure how much she is having but I always keep track on time she drinks from 30 min to 45 if I calculate continues feeding .. I know its quite funny but I have been first mom and everything is too new for me... please help me out.
Brief Answer:
Questions answered in sequence.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
1. You can give first bath after the cord falls off and the area is dry. Prior to that you can pour water of the body by seating the child on a bowl, taking care not to make the cord wet.
2. Let me tell you that contrary to popular belief, oil does not get absorbed from the skin. So, I do not suppose that oil massage from the dai ma is going to be of any use. However, soft massage (or tactile stimulation) helps in developing the senses of the child and you can do it yourself.
3. Not amniotic fluid. Not a cause for concern. It is normal. You can wipe it off but nothing else needs to be done about it.
4. You need not measure how much she is having. Just monitor the urine output. If the child passes urine for more than 6 times in 24 hours, you would know that breast feeding is adequate.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Diptanshu Das
Pediatrician
Questions answered in sequence.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
1. You can give first bath after the cord falls off and the area is dry. Prior to that you can pour water of the body by seating the child on a bowl, taking care not to make the cord wet.
2. Let me tell you that contrary to popular belief, oil does not get absorbed from the skin. So, I do not suppose that oil massage from the dai ma is going to be of any use. However, soft massage (or tactile stimulation) helps in developing the senses of the child and you can do it yourself.
3. Not amniotic fluid. Not a cause for concern. It is normal. You can wipe it off but nothing else needs to be done about it.
4. You need not measure how much she is having. Just monitor the urine output. If the child passes urine for more than 6 times in 24 hours, you would know that breast feeding is adequate.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Diptanshu Das
Pediatrician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
thank you so much..this is very helpful
I have one more question, my mother in law asks me to give her water , however I haven't given her yet. Do I have to give her water if yes then how much quantity?
I have one more question, my mother in law asks me to give her water , however I haven't given her yet. Do I have to give her water if yes then how much quantity?
Brief Answer:
No
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
No. You should not give water to the child before 6 months of age. The breast milk is a complete package containing all the water the child requires.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Diptanshu Das
Pediatrician
No
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
No. You should not give water to the child before 6 months of age. The breast milk is a complete package containing all the water the child requires.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Diptanshu Das
Pediatrician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Hi doctor, my baby's umbilical cord has fallen of after 10 days of her birth. can you please suggest if anything needs to be done.
Brief Answer:
Keep the area clean and dry
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Nothing needs to be done if the area is dry. Just keep it clean. If the area is soggy and foul smelling you would need to apply some antibiotic like Neosporin.
Hope I have answered your query.
Regards,
Dr. Diptanshu Das
Pediatrician
Keep the area clean and dry
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Nothing needs to be done if the area is dry. Just keep it clean. If the area is soggy and foul smelling you would need to apply some antibiotic like Neosporin.
Hope I have answered your query.
Regards,
Dr. Diptanshu Das
Pediatrician
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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