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.

Hypertension or high blood pressure is an increasingly common problem among children and adolescents; many children may not have any obvious signs or symptoms in the early phase. It is said that hypertension in children is a “silent condition,” and therefore, it is of paramount importance that doctors, parents, and teachers are aware of it to detect the condition early.

Symptoms Of High Blood Pressure In Children

While some kids might not have any symptoms at all, there are some signs that shouldn't be overlooked. Recurrent headaches or morning headaches, especially headaches in the back of the head, may occasionally be a sign of high blood pressure. Symptoms can be dizziness, blurred vision, flashers, loss of energy for no known reason, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing during exercise, chest pain, palpitations, or frequent nosebleeds for no obvious reason.

There can also be changes in a child's behaviour or physical appearance in the school environment that teachers might observe. Children with high blood pressure often experience headaches, frequent visits to the sick room for weak or dizzy spells and ask to go out of class to rest. Sometimes, symptoms such as difficulty in concentration, sudden drop in school performance, irritability, changes in mood or appearing unusually withdrawn are associated with underlying health problems, such as hypertension.

Some children may be more tired, winded or unwell from sports or physical activity than others and avoid it. These symptoms can be missed and dismissed as stress, poor sleep or lack of interest in studies or sports. Such symptoms may be overlooked and blamed on stress, sleep deprivation or low interest in studies or sports.

Leading Causes & Prevention

Doctors think obesity, poor diet, excessive salt intake, poor sleep, low exercise, and watching too much screen time are all factors that are driving up hypertension rates in kids and teens. Other kidney disease, heart disease, hormone imbalances, or family history can also contribute in some children.

Regular blood pressure checks on children's routine visits are very significant because many children with hypertension may be asymptomatic, experts say. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can prevent complications with the heart, kidneys, brain and eyes in the long term.

It is important that parents and teachers do not shrug off repeated complaints of headaches, fatigue, dizziness or vision problems as insignificant. Early medical assessment can be important in safeguarding a child's long-term health.

By Dr Vaibhav Meshram, Paediatrician, Ruby Hall Clinic

If your pre-pubescent or teenage kid cannot live without a smartphone or tablet, it’s a cause for concern. Ordinarily, it was believed that some amount of screen time isn’t harmful in young adults. But a new study has gone beyond the notion of ‘limited screen time’, ascertaining exactly how much is too much.

Doomscrolling Short-Form Content Is Affecting Young Minds

A new study published in the European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry journal recently shared insight into how endless scrolling of short-form content, personalised social media feeds, and engaging content may affect the cognitive, mental, and emotional well-being of adolescents and young adults.

Marlene Ebster, first author of the study Taming the Endless Scroll and a graduate from the University of Bayreuth’s Institute of Medical Management and Health Sciences, said, “Our aim was to develop a differentiated understanding of the effects of short-video platforms based on scientifically robust evidence, and to move beyond blanket statements such as ‘less screen time.’”

The researchers relied on scientific data published between 2015 and 2025. 47,000 participants were included in the final analysis, with an average age of 16.8 years.

The findings indicate that an intensive and unintentional use of short-video platforms may be associated with a number of negative consequences.

Researchers eventually found that these usage patterns and habits were linked to increased inattention and impulsivity.

The findings also said that the participants presented reduced working memory and weaker self-regulation abilities.

Additionally, several studies reported mental health issues in young adults, including higher levels of anxiety, depression, and stress, especially among heavy users.

How To Combat Excessive Screen Time In Young Adults?

The study also identified factors that can protect young people. A supportive social environment, strong digital literacy, and structured and purposeful digital habits proved to reduce the negative effects of endless scrolling. Here are other ways that can help:

Swapping Online Shows With Interesting Activities: Replace one streaming session with a home-made “show” of fun-filled activities. Kids get hooked on activities with time-bound tasks; they get competitive. Screen-free creativity is a cardio-friendly brain workout.

Hiding Wi-Fi Router: Hide the router behind a daily challenge. Want Wi-Fi? You have got to earn it by doing something active, like 20 minutes of cycling, a round of badminton, or even cleaning the house.

Family Screen Swap Hour: Pick one hour each evening where everyone swaps screens for a shared activity, like board games, cooking, or a walk outside. The key is doing it together, so no one feels singled out.

The ‘Leave It at the Door’ Rule: Phones and tablets stay outside the bedrooms. Create a charging station in the hallway and make it a family-wide ritual. Fewer late-night scrolling marathons mean better sleep and, as the study shows, potentially better heart health.

For new parents, few decisions feel as important as choosing how to feed their newborn. While breastfeeding is widely recognized as the best source of nutrition for infants, not every family can follow the same path. The key is to ensure that every baby receives adequate nutrition, care, and love, whether through breast milk or infant formula.

Health experts, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP), recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life whenever possible. This recommendation is based on decades of scientific evidence showing that breast milk offers benefits that extend far beyond nutrition.

Breastfeeding Is The Gold Standard

Unlike any other food, breast milk is a dynamic, living substance. It contains the right balance of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals that an infant needs, while also delivering antibodies, enzymes, and immune cells that help protect against infections. These natural protective factors play a crucial role during the early months when a baby’s immune system is still developing.

One of breast milk’s most remarkable qualities is its ability to adapt. The first milk, known as colostrum, is especially rich in antibodies and acts as a baby’s first natural vaccine. As weeks and months pass, the composition of breast milk changes to match the infant’s evolving nutritional requirements. This ability to respond to a baby’s changing needs cannot be replicated by formula.

The benefits of breastfeeding are reflected in both short- and long-term health outcomes. Babies who are exclusively breastfed are less likely to suffer from diarrhoea, respiratory infections, ear infections, and several digestive illnesses. Breastfeeding also supports the development of a healthy gut microbiome, which contributes to stronger immunity. Studies further suggest that breastfeeding may reduce the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and certain allergic conditions later in childhood.

The advantages are not limited to babies alone. Breastfeeding supports a mother’s recovery after childbirth by helping the uterus return to its normal size and reducing postpartum bleeding. It also strengthens the emotional bond between mother and baby through close physical contact. In the long term, breastfeeding has been associated with a lower risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and osteoporosis.

When Is Formula Feeding A Necessary Alternative?

That said, breastfeeding is not always possible. Medical conditions, certain medications, low milk production, maternal illness, work commitments, or mental health challenges can make breastfeeding difficult. In such situations, parents should never feel that they have failed.

Modern infant formulas are carefully developed to provide complete nutrition for infants who cannot be breastfed. When prepared correctly, the formula supports healthy growth and development and remains a safe, dependable alternative. Parents should always seek guidance from their paediatrician to choose the most appropriate feeding option for their baby.

Healthy Infant Feeding Without Judgment

It is equally important to remember that healthy feeding is more than what goes into the bottle or breast. The way a baby is fed matters, too. Holding the baby close, maintaining eye contact, responding to hunger cues, and creating a calm, nurturing feeding environment all contribute to emotional security and healthy development.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to infant feeding. Every mother and every baby has unique circumstances, and feeding decisions should be based on medical advice rather than social pressure or comparison.

Breast milk remains the gold standard because of its unmatched nutritional and immune-protective properties. However, when breastfeeding is not possible, infant formula provides a safe and effective alternative that allows babies to thrive.

Ultimately, what matters most is not how a baby is fed, but that every child is nourished, loved, and given the healthiest possible start in life.

By Dr. Sanjay Majmudar, Consultant Paediatrician, Bhailal Amin General Hospital, Vadodara