Bottle feeding: What are the benefits? How does it work?
All about bottle feeding:
About a million questions and concerns arise the second a mother is told she can't or won't be able to breastfeed her baby. Some choose not to breastfeed for personal reasons, yet some concerns still linger in the back of a mother's brain. Will my baby still get all the nutrients it needs to develop healthy? Is it true that my baby will get sick more often due to bottle feeding instead of breast milk? The questions are never ending.
What is the first thing you should do when a challenge or a decision has to be made?
Exactly...consider and list your options! If you need help establishing what kind of formula you need or what kind of formula best suits your child, then make sure to check out our BLOG "What is the best organic formula for my baby?"
Once you have established which formula you are going to use for your baby, relax and breath! Remember, in order for the baby to be calm, you have to be calm.
Skin Contact:
The goal of bottle feeding is to mimic breast feedings as close as possible and skin contact is one of the most important parts while a baby is being fed. During skin contact the baby and the mother build an important bond that is needed for the baby to feel comfort and love. Stroking the cheek and soft touches while the baby is laying on a bare chest is one of the most important steps to building a healthy relationship with your child.
The benefit of bottle feeding in this case is that both mother and father are able to switch off and take turns feeding the baby, which has even more benefits to the baby getting both feelings of the mother and father.
Benefits of Bottle feeding:
Again, while breastfeeding is the best option for your child, there are also a couple benefits to bottle feeding for the baby as well as for the parents:
- No breastfeeding in public and weird stares
- Infant builds a relationship (skin contact) with the father as well
- Both parents are able to get more sleep/rest
- Mother is allowed to drink alcohol and eat what is desired
- Parents can control and record how much the baby is drinking
While it does take some time out of your day to prepare/heat formula, it is a great option for mother's that can't breastfeed and is getting more popular with every new generation. If you are having trouble bottle feeding or you have more questions, please contact your doctor/pediatrician for help.
