You may have been told by a friend or medical professional that breastfeeding is better than bottle feeding and just accepted the statement at face value. You should understand just how much better it is for both you and your baby as initially breastfeeding is hard work and can be very tiring. Without proper understanding of the real benefits you may be tempted to give up nursing your child quite quickly when your baby could receive a real helping hand by you continuing.
Research has shown that babies fed on HMR (Human Milk Replacement) formula are generally sicker more often and more seriously than those children that are breast fed. They have also been found to suffer more from ear and respiratory infections. This can be especially true if your family has a history of allergies as when you breastfeed your baby antibodies are passed on through your breast milk which help to protect against illness and allergies. Initially your newborn child is incapable of producing his or her own antibodies which is one of the reasons that breastfeeding early on is absolutely crucial.
An added bonus of breastfeeding is that this will help keep your bills down. To start with you won't need to buy formula and due to the increased health of your child you should be able to avoid expensive medical bills.
When your baby sucks on your breast this helps with the development their jaw alignment and the development of their cheekbone. Obviously this means that there is likely to be a requirement for orthodontic work for your child when he or she is older.
Breast milk is really an amazing substance. It contains exactly the right amounts of vitamins and minerals that your growing baby needs and unlike formula, breast milk is always ready, always available, convenient, and always the right temperature for feeding.
You'll be glad to know that choosing to breastfeed your baby will also offer a number of benefits to you as well. Your baby sucking at your breast will cause contractions right after birth which should mean less bleeding for you and this will also help your uterus regain its shape more quickly.
Most moms are anxious to lose the extra weight gained during pregnancy as quickly as possible. Breastfeeding actually burns calories so you'll be delighted to hear that you should lose weight much faster than if you feed your baby with formula.
Breast feeding will also create a special bond between you and your baby - which is one
thing formula simply cannot do.
Breastfeeding After Bottle Feeding
Don't let your baby's crying be the cue to begin feeding. If your baby's upset before you begin bottle-feeding then she may well fuss during her feed. Breastfeeding mothers are told to breastfeed frequently and the same advice applies to bottle-feeding. One important point to remember though is that formula milk takes about four hours to digest compared to two hours for breast milk, so the interval between feeds should be longer for bottle-feeding.
A newborn baby will take up to about 85ml (3fl oz) per feed. As she grows older the amount of feed will increase as will the period between feeds. Babies know when they've had enough so don't worry if your baby hasn't finished all the milk. Discard any milk left in the bottle; never, ever attempt to feed this to your baby later on. Formula milk that is left sitting is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. If you baby still appears hungry after emptying the bottle, offer her more milk. You won't overfeed your baby.
The best way to hold a baby for bottle-feeding is straightforward. You hold the baby as you would for breastfeeding but in a slightly more upright position to make it easier for her to swallow and to prevent formula from spilling and running into her nostrils and ears.
Don't just put the nipple of the bottle straight into baby's mouth. Rather, gently rub your baby's cheek and lips with the nipple, just as breastfeeding mothers are advised. This gently rubbing stimulates your baby's ?rooting reflex?.
You can reduce the amount of air your baby consumes by tilting the bottle to ensure that the nipple contains only milk. Wind is uncomfortable for babies and, after a feed, they'll let you know all about their discomfort. It's usually best to avoid baby wind, for both mother and child!
Take your time and allow your baby to pause from time to time. It is quite normal for babies to stop drinking for a while before continuing. As they grow older they can also have a tendency to loose concentration and to look about them instead of feeding. Therefore, before you feed your baby, make your surroundings as peaceful and relaxing as possible. If you're feeling uncomfortable during the feed, then change positions. Remember, if you're uncomfortable or distracted during a feed so will your baby.
Feeding isn't just about giving your baby nourishment; it's also about giving comfort. Hold your baby close to you and maintain as much skin contact as you can. During the feed, stroke, caress, talk and keep eye contact with her, and above all, smile.
Feeding a baby is a special time for both mother and child. It can be a relaxing and comforting experience for both. To ensure that it is, follow the points above, and most importantly, follow your baby's lead; they often know better than we do what is the best way of doing things.
Both Rich Lawson & Robin Obrien are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Rich Lawson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Breastfeeding, Make Money Online and Small Business. Breastfeeding is the recommended way to feed your newborn child. Get your free guide now - Complete Breastfeeding Guide at. Rich Lawson's top article generates over 8100 views. Bookmark Rich Lawson to your Favourites.
Robin Obrien has sinced written about articles on various topics from Modelling, Prom Dress and Kids and Teens. Robin O'Brien is founder a site that helps mothers who choose to bottle-feed their baby. The topics range from choosing the right infant. Robin Obrien's top article generates over 165000 views. Bookmark Robin Obrien to your Favourites.
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