LIINI® Parent Guide
Table of contents
Nutrition
Helpful information around the frequency and amount of feeding
Cleaning
Everything about sterilizing, cleaning and storing baby bottles
Allergies
Your child cries or refuses the baby bottle? Recognize the signs of allergy
Product recommendations
Matching products from us to make your life as mom & dad easier
Disclaimer
Important before you read our guide.
- The tips, recommendations and descriptions in this guide are based on our own experiences as parents. They have neither been scientifically confirmed nor otherwise verified for correctness.
- Each child has its own needs. General recommendations are not binding and may vary from child to child.
- In case of doubt, please always contact your midwife and in case of emergency immediately your doctor. Do not hesitate to go directly to the hospital in case of emergency!
- Consider only trusted sources in your research about parenting.
- Be wary of recommendations on social media – especially there, our experience has shown that many recommendations are wrong and can even put your child’s health at risk.
- Finally, the most important thing to remember is that your child is an individual and has his or her own pace in terms of development, progress, feeding and many other areas. Don’t let other parents pressure you in any way!
Infant Feeding
Hey mom or dad – I’m hungry!
Breastfeeding vs. bottle feeding
To get the most important thing out of the way: NO, you are not a bad mom if breastfeeding doesn’t work out as desired. Many young mothers put themselves under massive pressure shortly after giving birth if everything doesn’t work out right away. During milk let-down, you may experience pain, your nipples may become inflamed, or you may not yet be producing the amount of milk you want. As with your baby’s development, your body needs some time to get used to breastfeeding. So approach breastfeeding in a relaxed way and take your time.
If you decide not to breastfeed, that is your decision alone. This may be for health, moral or ethical reasons and is entirely up to you. Don’t let the supermoms on the internet put pressure on you and do exactly what YOU think is right!
The importance of breast milk
Breast milk contains a wide range of nutrients, including proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. These nutrients are present in an optimal composition to support the growth of the baby. In addition, breast milk also contains antibodies that help the child protect itself against infections and diseases. These antibodies strengthen the baby’s immune system and provide some protection against various diseases, especially in the first months of life.
In addition to the benefits for the baby, breastfeeding also offers advantages for the mother. It helps return the uterus to its normal size more quickly and reduce bleeding after birth. Breastfeeding may also help reduce the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and osteoporosis later in the mother’s life.
How much does my baby eat per day?
How much your baby eats per day depends on your baby’s weight. Your midwife will follow you closely during the postpartum period shortly after birth – this includes regular weighing.
There is a consensus among experts that between 6-8 meals should be fed during 24 hours in the first year of life.
There is a simple formula to calculate the daily amount of milk in mililiters:
Baby’s weight / 6 = daily amount of milk in mililiters
You can then easily adjust the daily amount of milk to your baby’s needs or divide it among the appropriate number of meals.
There are children who prefer a somewhat larger meal, others prefer smaller amounts spread throughout the day or night. It’s important to pay attention to your child’s signs of hunger.
Glass or plastic baby bottle?
Most baby bottles on the market are (unfortunately) made of plastic. From the point of view of the seller or manufacturer, this has many advantages. The production of plastic bottles is much cheaper and the transport costs are lower due to the lower weight.
Although the plastic bottles also have a few advantages: We recommend using glass bottles exclusively.
The advantages of glass bottles are obvious:
- Neutral taste – no absorption of milk odors
- No scratches or depressions in which bacteria can accumulate
- No microplastics in your baby’s food
- High quality design & clear statement
Cleaning / Hygiene
Everything important about cleaning baby bottles.
The immune system of the baby
A baby’s immune system plays a critical role in fighting bacteria and protecting against infection. In the first months of life, a baby’s immune system is not yet fully developed, so it is particularly important that it receives support in defending itself against bacteria.
It is important to note that a baby’s immune system needs time to develop and mature. In the first months of life, it is therefore particularly susceptible to infections. To minimize the risk of bacterial infections, parents should follow hygienic measures such as washing hands regularly, cleaning objects the baby touches, and avoiding people with infections.
Sterilize baby bottles
When sterilizing baby bottles, boiling water destroys all microorganisms. We recommend the following procedure for sterilizing our LIINI® baby bottles:
- Thoroughly clean hands with soap
- Boil hot water in a large enough pan
- As soon as the water boils, place both the baby bottles and the teats in the boiling water
- Make sure that the teats float in the water and are not pressed to the bottom of the pan by a baby bottle, for example. This may cause the plastic to melt.
- Leave the items in the boiling water for at least 10 minutes
- Wash hands again with soap
- Remove objects with tongs (never by hand, there is a risk of severe burns).
- Allow the baby bottles with teats to dry, if possible, suspended and without contact with textiles
… that’s how often you will sterilize your baby bottles from birth until the end of the 7th month.
How often do I need to sterilize baby bottles?
From birth and until the end of the 7th month of life, we recommend sterilizing baby bottles after each meal. In the beginning, this seems like a true sterilization marathon and you feel like you’re just cleaning and sterilizing.
From the 7th month, it is sufficient to put the baby bottle into boiling water once a day.
How many baby bottles do I need?
It always depends somewhat on how often and if you feel like sterilizing the same baby bottle several times a day.
We recommend you to buy at least 5 baby bottles. This way, you can sterilize all the bottles together every night before sleeping and simply use a freshly sterilized bottle the next time you’re hungry.
Introduction to the porridge diet
From 6 months can start with porridge and complementary food
When should I start porridge?
The introduction of complementary foods is an important milestone in a baby’s development. It is recommended that babies be exclusively breastfed or formula fed until they are about six months old. This is called “exclusive breastfeeding” and has many benefits for the baby’s health and growth.
At about six months of age, most babies begin to show signs that they are ready to try solid foods. These signs can be:
- The baby can keep its head stable and sit upright without support.
- It shows interest in the food that the other family members are eating and may even try to take food from the plate.
- The baby has weakened the tongue thrust reflex. This reflex, present in the first months of life, makes babies push food out of their mouths.
Suitable food for baby food
When starting complementary foods, it is important to choose foods that are easy to digest and allow the baby to become accustomed to new flavors and textures. Here are some suitable foods for starting complementary feeding:
It is important to introduce each new food individually and observe it for several days to determine any possible allergic reactions or intolerances. Start with small amounts and gradually increase them as you get baby used to new tastes and textures.
Vegetable porridge
Cooked and pureed vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, parsnips or broccoli are good options. Start with a smooth consistency and gradually increase the texture by pureeing the vegetables less finely.
Fruit porridge
Pureed fruits such as bananas, avocados, pears or apples are popular. Start with soft fruit and be sure to monitor any allergies or intolerances. In such a case, please contact your pediatrician immediately!
Cereal porridge
Rice, oat or millet porridge can be introduced as the first cereal options. You can mix it with breast milk or formula to achieve a creamy consistency. Your baby will love it - trust us!
Dairy products
Yogurt or cottage cheese can be included in the diet, provided that the baby tolerates dairy products well. Choose unsweetened and mild varieties without additives. You can also puree fruit and add it if your baby likes it.
Legumes
Pureed or chopped legumes such as lentils, chickpeas, or beans are high-protein options for complementary foods. Be sure to cook them thoroughly and mash them well to achieve the desired consistency.
Drinks for babies
Water has vital functions in the baby’s body
Why water is so important
From the time complementary foods are introduced and the diet is gradually expanded, water can be introduced as an additional source of fluids. Here are some important points about the importance of water as the main drink for babies:
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Hydration: Water is the best thirst quencher for babies. It helps to meet their fluid needs and protect them from dehydration.
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Temperature regulation: Babies have difficulty regulating their body temperature, and water plays an important role in this process.
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Digestion: Water plays a crucial role in the digestion of babies. It helps absorb nutrients from food, prevent constipation and support the smooth functioning of the digestive system.
Sugary drinks
It is recommended that babies not be given sugary drinks during the first year of life, including fruit juices, sodas and sweetened liquids. These beverages contain high amounts of free sugar, which can increase the risk of tooth decay, obesity and other health problems.
In general, it is recommended to completely avoid sugary drinks. Water is quite enough for the baby!
Allergies & Intolerances
Unfortunately, when it comes to infant feeding, not everything always works out smoothly
Cow's milk allergy
Cow’s milk allergy in babies is a topic that concerns many parents. In this section of our guide, we want to give you information and advice on how to deal with a cow’s milk allergy in your baby.
Recognize symptoms of cow’s milk allergy:
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- skin rash, eczema or redness
- Digestive problems such as diarrhea, vomiting, or abdominal pain
- Difficulty breathing or nasal congestion
- Restlessness, irritability or sleep disturbances
Dealing with a cow’s milk allergy:
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- Continue to breastfeed your baby if possible, as breast milk is usually well tolerated.
- In the case of bottle feeding, the doctor may recommend special hypoallergenic infant formula or soy- or almond-based milk substitutes. We can also personally highly recommend goat’s milk!
- It is important to avoid all foods and products that contain cow’s milk or cow’s milk ingredients.
