Babies, Toddlers, Kids & Childrens

 

Bottle Feeding - The Benefits for Mom and Baby

Deciding whether or not to bottle feed your baby is not a decision that is made lightly. Society and the media don't make the decision any easier as they make bottle feeding appear to be a bad choice compared to breastfeeding.

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Deciding whether or not to bottle feed your baby is not a decision that is made lightly. Society and the media don't make the decision any easier as they make bottle feeding appear to be a bad choice compared to breastfeeding. Many mothers that make the decision not to breast feed or cannot breast feed for some reason, do not need to feel guilty about choosing to bottle feed.

While nothing can replace the whole, natural benefits of mother's milk, using baby formula also has several benefits for mother and baby. Baby formulas of today are created to be as close to mother's milk as possible. These baby formulas are just as nutritious and many are fortified with iron, a key ingredient in helping to prevent anemia in infants. Another great benefit is portion control. With bottle feeding, you know exactly how much you are feeding your baby. You won't be left wondering if your child has eaten enough or has been overfed.

Unfortunately, mother's who breastfeed still have to deal with the stares and sometimes comments they may receive when they decide to breastfeed in public. With bottle feeding you eliminate the frustration of dealing with ignorance. You no longer have to stay indoors to avoid the embarrassment of wanting to feed your child in public. Many mothers may also worry about losing the bonding that can come with breast feeding. Bottle feeding can still bring the same type of mother and child bonding that breast feeding does. You are still close to your child and able to talk and spend quality time during a feeding. Don't let the worry of bonding play in your decision to bottle feed.

Another plus to bottle feeding is that moms can get back to living a normal life a lot sooner. Breastfeeding alters a mother's daily life due to certain factors that must be considered, primarily in the case of medication. Mother's who are prescribed medication must remember to check with their doctor before taking them. Medication can be passed through to baby during breastfeeding. Bottle feeding clears the way for things like medication as well as oral contraceptives. Having the choice to take an oral contraceptive is a concern for many mothers who do not desire to have another child right away.

Bottle feeding is also much more convenient. Baby formula can be stored easily and makes traveling a lot easier as well. Ready-made baby formula requires no mixing. You can feed your baby its contents right away which is a time saver. Bottle feeding also allows others to help you out. You can have others feed your baby when you are busy or because they want to share in the experience such as dad helping out during a feeding or grandparents. This can be a huge help when you are burned out from the day's activities and need to catch a nap or are not feeling well.

Mother's who choose to bottle feed should never feel like they are making a poor choice. Just like breastfeeding, bottle feeding holds many benefits.

 

Baby Bottles

Finding the right brand of baby bottles can make a world of difference in your experience as a new parent. Some of the popular brands are: Playtex, Evenflo, Gerber, Munchkin and Avent. There are several factors to consider when looking for baby bottles for your little one.

These items are available in glass or plastic and some are disposable while others are reusable. Whether you are going to feed your infant exclusively with baby bottles or whether you will toggle between breastfeeding and bottle feeding, you want to make some considerations. The number of times you will use baby bottles will change your criteria for which product will work for you.

Reusable baby bottles are typically made either of plastic or glass. These items be placed in the dishwasher and require sterilization for each feeding. With these types of baby bottles you may want to consider investing in a sterilizer. Sterilizers are very affordable but are an extra step that you may find yourself putting off during those late night feedings.

Disposable baby bottles are basically like reusable types but they have disposable pouches that you place inside the unit. These are particularly convenient when you take baby out for awhile and it eliminates the sterilization process. The liners are refrigerator safe. The downside would be the additional cost of the liners.

There is also the occasional mistake of not securing the liner on properly and having a very wet mess. This usually happens during those dreaded night feedings of when you are in a hurry. Toggling between reusable and disposable baby bottles is a possibility that may benefit you if you have occasions when liners are inconvenient.

Baby bottles also come in different shapes. Some are available in the well-known straight container. Some have a narrow neck while some are angled at the bottom. The basic reason for the different shapes of baby bottles is gas.

Some designs are excellent for reducing amount of air that the baby takes in during feeding. If the baby takes in less air during the feeding, the less likely they will have gas problems and hiccups. The wide baby bottles are basically for the moms who toggle between the breast and the bottle.

Choosing a baby bottle ultimately becomes an individual choice. There are different factors to consider for your individual needs and I guarantee there are probably a number of baby bottles out there to meet your needs.

 

Bottle – Which Is Right For You

There are lots of decisions to make when there’s a baby on the way. One of the most controversial is the ever raging “breast or bottle” debate. There are many people who have strong feelings on both sides of this issue, and many of them will try like a televangelist to get you on their side. I’m not going to do that. I’m going to give you the facts, and share some personal insight on the subject, which hopefully will leave you feeling good, whatever your choice.

Scientifi...

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There are lots of decisions to make when there’s a baby on the way. One of the most controversial is the ever raging “breast or bottle” debate. There are many people who have strong feelings on both sides of this issue, and many of them will try like a televangelist to get you on their side. I’m not going to do that. I’m going to give you the facts, and share some personal insight on the subject, which hopefully will leave you feeling good, whatever your choice.

Scientifically, breast milk is best. There are nutrients in breast milk that help your child’s brain develop, and try as they might, formula makers cannot replicate these nutrients. Breastfeeding protects your child from illnesses because, as long as he or she is nursing, they are protected by your immune system, which is much more developed than theirs. Breast milk is very well tolerated by Babies, Toddlers, Kids & Childrens, and hardly ever causes gastric problems, and breastfed Babies, Toddlers, Kids & Childrens are less likely to be overweight.

But, realistically, the scientific facts are not the only things to be considered. Women who simply don’t want to breastfeed will probably not be very successful. Even some women who want to breastfeed will find it so difficult, that they are miserable trying to make it work. Some women will have difficulty making enough milk to satisfy their baby’s hunger, and some women will suffer more pain with breastfeeding than they can endure. If you fall into one of those categories, don’t beat yourself up. Your baby can do quite nicely on formula, too.

When my daughter was born, I was anxious to breastfeed. I had two boys, but one is my husband’s by a previous marriage, and the other was adopted at ten months, so this was my only chance to be pregnant and breastfeed. I read all the books I could get my hands on, and like a fool, spent a bunch of money on a breast pump.

Well, it turns out that my nipples are not exactly a matched set, so my daughter completely rejected one nipple. So, I nursed on the side she would take until my nipples looked like ground beef. Plus, she was an eight pound eating machine at birth, and no matter how long I nursed her, I couldn’t satisfy her appetite. Even with pumping from the breast that she rejected, she was always hungry. I made myself crazy from it, worked with two different lactation consultants and tried every trick in the book, but still every attempt at nursing ended in tears. After two miserable weeks, I gave in and put her on formula. We have never looked back. I was happier because I wasn’t constantly frustrated, and she was happier because her tummy was full and because her Mommy was much more relaxed.

Now that I’ve told you that story, I’ll tell you this. If I ever had another baby, I would try breastfeeding again. Every baby is different, and a Mother’s body is different with each pregnancy. I would try again to give my child the best from a nutritional standpoint. But, I understand now that sometimes it just doesn’t work, or it isn’t right for you, and that doesn’t mean that you’re not a good Mom.

Breast or bottle is a personal choice. Weigh the facts and the preferences, and make the choice that is right for you and your baby. Whatever you decide, you don’t owe anyone an explanation.