If you have questions or need help with either pumping or getting the baby latched onto your
breast, contact a lactation consultant. Before you’re discharged from the hospital, the lactation
consultant will watch you breast-feed your baby to make sure it’s going well.
Formula-Feeding Your Baby. Bottle-feeding may provide a little more flexibility, particularly if
your child remained in the hospital for treatment after birth. Bottle-feeding also allows the baby’s
father and other family members to become more active in feeding the baby.
How much is enough? All infants are individuals, and they vary in how much formula they take
each feeding. Try not to compare the amount of formula your baby takes to the amount other
babies take. The goal for feeding an infant with congenital heart disease is consistent weight
gain. Most babies gain 1/2 to 1 ounce of weight per day. However, babies with heart disease
tend to gain weight at a much slower rate.
Choosing a Formula. Commercial formulas, available at most supermarkets, are made to be as
similar to breast milk as possible. You and your baby’s healthcare provider can decide which
formula is best for your baby.
Choosing a Bottle/Nipple. There are many types of baby bottles and nipples available. It may
take several trials with various bottles and nipples before you find the one that works best for
your baby. Some babies with heart disease have difficulty feeding from a regular nipple. You