When mothers initially feed their babies, they make them lie on their laps, however, the same position may not be safe when the baby is feeding off the bottle.

It is important to feed your baby through the bottle in a semi-upright position and support their head. Do not feed them lying down, as formula or the milk from the bottle can flow into the middle ear, and cause infection. Also, unlike breast and its nipple, the bottle does not have the mechanism to ensure that milk is being overflowed. Also, in order to prevent your little ones from swallowing air as they suck, tilt the bottle so that the formula fills the neck of the bottles and covers the nipple.

How can you choose the right bottle for you?

While some babies happily drink from any bottle, some are much pickier. Yes, you read it right, babies need different bottles, based on how their bodies react after being fed.

If you have a baby with gas, it is best to try a bottle with a venting system. Now, this allows your baby to avoid air in the milk while feeding. Such bottles mimic the shape and feel of a breast or an actual nipple. Bottles with fewer parts are also easier to clean, which could be great during the middle-of-the-night feedings.

For new moms, it is also a great advice to start with a slow-flow nipple to avoid overwhelming your baby and switch to a faster flow when they seem to hold the bottle themselves and can finish milk in less time.

What should you follow when you bottle feed your baby?

As per the National Health Scheme (UK), NHS UK, it is important to be prepared to experiment well with the kind of bottles that suits your baby the best. Thee is no evidence that only one type of teat or bottle is better than any other.

It is always best to ensure that you screw the top tightly into the bottle before you feed your baby.

Bottle Feeding and The Right Positions

Bottle feeding is more than just feeding and nourishing your baby, it is also an opportunity to bond with your babies. Babies also feel secure when their caregivers are feeding. This is why it is important that even before you start bottle feeding, you first find a comfortable spot to sit with your baby close to you. Look at them and gently hold the and talk as you feed.

Hold your baby in a semi-upright position during bottle feeds, with their head supported. This ensures they can breathe and swallow comfortably. Brush the teat gently against their lips, and when they open their mouth wide, let them draw the teat in.

Take your time—babies feed at their own pace, so be patient and allow them plenty of time to enjoy their meal.

Do not leave your baby un-monitored

Always supervise your baby during feeding sessions. Do not prop the bottle or leave them alone with it. This can also cause choking hazard, or the milk could pool in their mouth which could increase ear infections.

The bottle's position matters as much as baby's position. When feeding, hold the bottle in a horizontal position, tipping it slightly. This helps the milk flow steadily and reduces the amount of air your baby may swallow. If the teat flattens, gently pull the corner of your baby’s mouth to release the suction. Should the teat become blocked, replace it with a fresh, sterile one.

Dengue affects children differently from adults, making them among the most vulnerable groups to the mosquito-borne disease. While platelet monitoring remains important, experts on National Dengue Day 2026 stressed that dengue severity depends on a child’s overall clinical condition and not just a single laboratory value.

Speaking to HealthandMe, the doctors informed that there is more than a falling platelet count among children and shared warning signs that parents must never ignore.

Dr. Vijay Yewale, Head Pediatrician at Apollo Hospitals, Mumbai, said many parents panic when platelet counts begin to fall during dengue infection. However, he stressed that serious complications such as bleeding can occur even when platelet levels are not critically low.

“It is important to remember that while platelet count needs to be watched closely during dengue, serious complications such as bleeding, fluid leakage, or organ involvement can sometimes occur even when platelet levels are not very low,” Dr. Vijay said.

He explained that many children with low platelet counts recover completely with proper monitoring and supportive care.

According to Dr. Yewale, the most critical stage of dengue usually begins when the fever starts coming down and may last for 24 to 48 hours. During this phase, some children can rapidly progress to severe dengue due to plasma leakage.

“This can quickly become life-threatening, as fluid leaking from damaged blood vessels may lead to a drop in blood pressure and shock, impaired blood supply to vital organs, and failure of multiple organs. If not recognized and treated promptly, severe dengue can even result in death,” he added.

How Dengue Symptoms In Infants Are Different

Dr. Rahul Nagpal, Principal Director and Head of Pediatrics & Neonatology at Fortis Vasant Kunj, highlighted that dengue symptoms in infants and toddlers are often very different from those seen in older children and adults, making diagnosis more challenging.

“In infants and toddlers, dengue symptoms are often subtle and nonspecific. Unlike adults who commonly complain of severe headaches, muscle pain, or joint pain, young children may simply become irritable, unusually sleepy, less active, or unwilling to feed. In many cases, fever may be the only noticeable symptom during the early stage of infection,” Dr. Rahul told HealthandMe.

The doctors warned that infants and young children are particularly vulnerable to dehydration because of smaller fluid reserves. Their condition can quickly worsen due to:

• Fever,
• vomiting,
• poor feeding,
• fluid loss.

• dry lips,
• reduced urination,
• sunken eyes,
• absence of tears while crying,
• unusual lethargy.

Warning Signs Parents Should Not Ignore

The doctors advised parents to monitor warning signs beyond platelet numbers, which need immediate medical attention. This includes:

• persistent vomiting,
• severe stomach pain,
• bleeding from the gums or nose,
• unusual drowsiness,
• restlessness,
• breathing difficulty,
• dizziness,
• Reduced urine output
• abdominal swelling or pain,
• cold hands and feet,
• seizures.

Why Diagnosing Dengue In Children Is Still A Challenge

The experts noted that diagnosing dengue in infants can be difficult because its symptoms often resemble common viral infections. Additionally, young children cannot clearly express discomfort, making close observation by parents and healthcare providers extremely important during the dengue season.

There is also no specific antiviral treatment for dengue currently available for children. Management mainly includes adequate fluid intake, breastfeeding or frequent feeding for infants, rest, fever management using paracetamol, and careful medical monitoring. Aspirin and ibuprofen are generally avoided because they may increase the risk of bleeding.

Prevention Remains The Best Protection

Doctors reiterated that mosquito bite prevention remains the best protection against dengue, especially for infants and young children. The use of mosquito nets, protective clothing, and the elimination of stagnant water around homes were strongly recommended.

The experts added that with early diagnosis, proper hydration, and timely medical care, most children with dengue recover fully.

A large new study, published in the Lancet Psychiatry journal, has shown that using antidepressant medications during pregnancy does not increase the risk of developmental disorders such as autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.

The analysis, based on data from more than 25 million pregnancies, refutes assertions made by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and states that there is no evidence to support a causal link between the use of almost all antidepressants during pregnancy and an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Kennedy has previously claimed, without evidence, that certain antidepressants pose such a risk to fetuses. He has also linked vaccines to autism — a theory that has been widely debunked and contradicts established scientific evidence. The exact causes of autism remain unclear, though scientists believe neurological characteristics may begin developing in utero as the fetal brain forms.

“We know many parents-to-be worry about the potential impact of taking medication during pregnancy; our study provides reassuring evidence that commonly used antidepressants do not increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and ADHD in children,” said Dr. Wing-Chung Chang of the University of Hong Kong.

Dr. Chang also warned against stopping antidepressant medication during pregnancy without medical advice.

“While all medications carry risks, so too does stopping antidepressants during pregnancy due to an increased risk of relapse,” he said.

He added that for women with moderate-to-severe depression, doctors and patients must carefully weigh the potential risks and benefits of continuing antidepressant treatment during pregnancy against the potential harms of untreated depression.

What Did The Study Find?

The meta-analysis was based on pooled data from 37 studies involving more than 600,000 pregnant women taking antidepressants and nearly 25 million pregnancies without antidepressant use.

Before adjusting for key factors such as underlying mental health conditions, the analysis found that antidepressant use during pregnancy was associated with:

• A 35 per cent increased risk of ADHD
• A 69 per cent increased risk of autism

However, these associations became greatly reduced or statistically non-significant after accounting for confounding factors.

Interestingly, antidepressant use by fathers during pregnancy was also associated with:

• A 46 per cent increase in ADHD risk
• A 28 per cent increase in autism risk

“Although our study found a small increase in the risk of autism and ADHD in the children of women who had used antidepressants during pregnancy, it also found that this risk disappeared when we accounted for other factors,” Dr. Chang said.

“The increased risk was also seen in the children of fathers who took antidepressants and of mothers with antidepressant use before, but not during, pregnancy,” he added.

“Together, this suggests that it is not the antidepressants themselves causing an increased risk of autism and ADHD, but it is more likely due to other factors, including genetic predisposition to conditions such as ADHD, autism, and mental health conditions,” the researcher explained.

Which Drugs Were Linked To Increased Risk?

Among the studies analysed, researchers found that only amitriptyline and nortriptyline remained associated with increased ADHD and autism risk.

These medications are generally considered second- or third-line treatment options for depression and are often prescribed in cases of treatment-resistant depression.

Researchers noted that women taking these medications may have more severe, chronic, or complex underlying mental health conditions, which could influence the observed association.

The study also found no difference in risk between high and low doses of antidepressants.

“The evidence suggests a link between either parent having a mental health condition and a slightly higher risk of ADHD or autism,” said Dr. Joe Kwun-Nam Chan of the University of Hong Kong.

“In addition to genetic factors, this link could be explained by the home and social environment, as ongoing family stress, changes in family functioning, and differences in parenting and caregiving may influence neurodevelopment,” he added.

He stressed the importance of ensuring that both parents have access to mental health support and treatment, both for their own wellbeing and to support the neurodevelopment of their child.

Limitations Of The Study

The researchers acknowledged several limitations, including a lack of data on factors such as socioeconomic status, lifestyle-related risks, and low birth weight in some studies.

Additionally, only a small number of studies examined antidepressant use during specific trimesters or evaluated exact dosage changes, making it difficult to draw firm conclusions in these areas.

The authors also noted that women prescribed antidepressants often have more severe depression than those who are not prescribed medication, meaning some bias may still remain despite adjustments for mental health conditions.

Former badminton player Jwala Gutta shared that she donated around 60 liters of breast milk during the first year after childbirth. Delivering a critical social message, the Commonwealth Games medallist highlighted the importance of breast milk donation and stressed that it is completely safe.

“I donated around 60 litres of breast milk to the government hospital in Hyderabad and Chennai during my first year of postpartum!” Jwala wrote in a post on the social media platform X.

Noting that many babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) do not get immediate access to their mother’s milk due to medical complications, she said that “just 100ml of donor milk can feed a tiny 1kg baby for several days” and support “dozens of infants in the NICU”.

“Donating is safe, screened, and desperately needed,” she said.

Why Breast Milk Is Important For Newborns

Babies should ideally be breastfed within the first hour of birth, often called the “golden hour”, right in the labour room. The yellowish first milk, known as colostrum, is packed with antibodies and nutrition. Early feeding can prevent low blood sugar levels, build immunity, increase the mother’s milk supply, and strengthen bonding between the mother and newborn.

However, in some cases, mothers may be unable to breastfeed due to medical conditions, low milk supply, or physical challenges such as pain, latching issues, or previous surgeries.

Further, in the case of babies in the NICU, mothers may not be able to directly breastfeed because babies are often too small, premature, or weak to suckle, or they require medical equipment like ventilators and feeding tubes that physically hinder nursing.

HealthandMe spoke to experts to understand how breast milk donation works and the myths surrounding it.

Experts Say Breast Milk Donation Is Safe

Health experts noted that donating breast milk is safe and extremely beneficial for premature or medically fragile babies. However, storing it the right way is crucial.

Also read: Shocking Study Finds Andes Hantavirus Could Linger In Semen For Years, Pose Transmission Risk

“Breast milk donation is safe when done through certified human milk banks that follow proper screening, pasteurization, collection, and storage protocols,” said Dr. Bhavya Rathore, Senior Consultant - Obstetrician & Gynecologist, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Indirapuram.

“Breast milk donation can be a lifesaving gift, especially for premature or low-birth-weight babies whose mothers may be unable to produce enough milk initially. Donating breast milk is considered safe when done through certified human milk banks that follow strict screening, testing, pasteurization, and storage protocols. Donors are usually screened for infections like HIV, Hepatitis B/C, and certain medications or lifestyle habits before donation,” added Dr. Sakshi Goel, Senior Consultant - Obstetrics & Gynecology, Rainbow Children's Hospital, Delhi.

Busting Common Myths Around Breast Milk Donation

Myth: Donating breast milk will reduce nutrition for a mother’s own baby

Fact: Healthy lactating mothers with an adequate milk supply can often donate excess milk safely without affecting their baby’s nutritional needs.

Myth: Donated milk is unsafe

Fact: Certified milk banks carefully screen donors and process milk to ensure safety.

Myth: Donated milk may directly transmit diseases

Fact: Properly processed donor milk undergoes pasteurization and multiple safety checks before use.

How To Safely Store Breast Milk

Dr. Bhavya told HealthandMe that for safe storage, mothers should express milk with clean hands, use sterilised BPA-free containers, and refrigerate milk immediately after expression.

“Breast milk can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days and frozen for longer storage. Proper labelling with date and time of expression is important,” she added.

Dr. Sakshi told HealthandMe that for best storage, breast milk should be kept in clean airtight containers, refrigerated if used within a few days, or frozen for longer storage while maintaining the cold chain.

The experts urged that mothers should avoid donating breast milk if they have certain infections, smoke, consume excessive alcohol, or are taking medications that may not be safe during breastfeeding.