Pulloruokintaa

Pulloruokintaa, often translated as bottle-feeding, is a method of providing milk or formula to an infant or young animal using a bottle and nipple. This practice is commonly employed when breastfeeding is not possible, insufficient, or chosen as an alternative. For human infants, bottle-feeding can be done with expressed breast milk or with infant formula.

The process of bottle-feeding involves preparing the milk or formula according to specific guidelines to ensure it is safe and nutritionally adequate for the recipient. The bottle is then filled, and the nipple is attached. The infant or animal is held in a semi-upright position to prevent choking and to allow for proper swallowing. The feeder gently inserts the nipple into the mouth and allows the infant or animal to suckle. Burping is often necessary during and after feeding to release swallowed air.

Bottle-feeding allows other caregivers besides the mother to participate in feeding, which can be beneficial for bonding and for sharing childcare responsibilities. It also offers a way to precisely measure the amount of milk consumed. In animal husbandry, pulloruokintaa is essential for hand-rearing orphaned or abandoned young animals, or when the mother is unable to nurse her offspring. The specific type of milk or formula, the feeding frequency, and the temperature are all critical considerations depending on the species and age of the animal.