Is bottle propping safe?
Busy parents may find the bottle a convenient way to feed their baby.
But it can come with risks that aren't worth the few minutes saved. Even
devices or toys advertised as safe bottle accessories can be dangerous.
What is bottle propping?
Bottle propping involves placing the baby bottle on a pillow or other
support to allow hands-free feeding of the baby, rather than holding the bottle
and baby at the same time.
By holding the bottle, you can easily focus on something other than the
baby. This can cause milk or formula to accumulate in your mouth, which can be
dangerous. You are also wasting time with your child.
Choking hazard
Jamming the bottle increases the risk of suffocation. You may not notice
that your baby is struggling with milk or formula if you step away from him
while he is eating from a propped bottle.
Most children do certain things to signal that they are full. Feeding
your baby with a long life bottle increases the risk that you will miss these
signals.
Risk of tooth decay
Propping your baby's bottle usually causes milk or formula to accumulate
in your mouth. The liquid will coat their teeth with microbes and milk sugar
that cause cavities.
This type of tooth decay has many names, including early childhood tooth
decay, breastfeeding tooth decay, or baby bottle tooth decay. Good oral hygiene
will prevent decay of milk teeth and complications with their permanent teeth.
As the teeth begin to rot, you may notice brown or white spots. Rotten
teeth can be painful for a child, so they need to see a dentist for treatment.
Risk of ear infections
Bottle propping can also increase your baby's risk of ear infections.
This is because of the connecting tubes between the back of the throat and the
ears, called the Eustachian tubes.
We all have Eustachian tubes. They maintain pressure in the middle ear
when you swallow or yawn. They also drain mucus from the ear.
Young children are more prone to complications of the Eustachian tube.
Their tubes are shorter, very narrow and horizontal rather than curved. This is
why children get infected more often when they are younger.
A buildup of milk in a baby's mouth can cause milk or bacteria to enter
their ear through the Eustachian tubes, causing ear infections. Long-term or
recurring ear infections can lead to hearing and speech problems.
Lack of interaction
The time spent feeding your baby is a way to bond with him. This
protects them from unnecessary risks. You can also hug, talk and share a warm
moment. Propping up the bottle eliminates vital bonding time.
Proper bottle feeding
Bottle feeding requires more than a full bottle of milk. Proper methods
will prevent complications and keep your child safe.
- The size of the hole for the
nipples. A bottle nipple that is too large can cause the baby to drink milk too
quickly. This increases the risk of choking, overeating and tooth decay. Too
small can make your child work too hard to eat.
- Head angle. Feed your baby
while he sits upright. Feeding them when they are lying flat can lead to
choking and ear infections. Rock him with his head propped up if he can't sit
up straight.
- Watch the signals. Babies know when
they are full or hungry. They may consume more or less milk with each feeding.
Check out their signals to give them the right amount.
- No bottle in bed. Don't let your baby
sleep with a bottle. It can cause choking, tooth decay and overeating, just
like propping up a bottle. Instead, give them a pacifier.
- Do not overfeed. Don't force your
child to finish the bottle. Overeating can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort,
coughing, or loose stools. Watch their food cues to make sure they don't
overeat.
- Frequent burping. During bottle
feeding, stop and spit up your baby every 3-5 minutes. This will prevent gas
buildup, discomfort and spitting up.
- The quality of the bottle. It is very important to disinfect the bottle and nipple frequently. But it can also lead to changes in the openings of the nipples. Make sure the hole in the nipple is large enough to deliver the right amount of milk.