We all know that breastfeeding can also be a bonding experience with your new baby. But what if you can't breastfeed? Or what if your career or life style doesn't allow you to breastfeed, so you choose the alternative, formula? Is it possible to bond with your baby when feeding her a bottle? The answer is YES, you can. So here are some tips and/or don't when feeding formula to your baby with love.
Don't Rush- Babies who breastfeed take a long time to do so, to fulfill the sucking reflex that all infants have. So take your time when feeding your baby, don't rush through it because babies need to suck. If baby finishes the bottle fast, slow it down by buying a bottle a with smaller hole, or maybe your baby is still hungry so try feeding her a ounce or two more.
To bond with baby don't let multiple people feed your baby. Try to limit feeding your baby to mom and dad during the first couple months. Multiple people feeding your baby can make your baby feel insecure.
Rock baby and cuddle baby and maybe sing to her while feeding during the first couple months, this can help comfort baby and make baby feel more secure.
Make eye contact, avoid watching T.V or doing other activities while feeding your baby. Hold baby tight and feed baby in her own room with very little noises and distractions. Eye contact will help you and your baby bond, give her smiles and tell her that you love her. Baby will feel what your feeling and know that she is loved.
This one sounds a little over the top, but for a mother who wants to breastfeed, put your baby to your breast while feeding a bottle to her, skin to skin contact is very good for your baby and will help her feel very safe and secure. Also for mothers who want to breastfeed and can't there is a way of putting your baby to your breast and supplementing them with formula. You can ask your Doctor if this is right for you.
Avoid propping the bottle up, and letting baby drink a bottle herself. This one is tempting because let's face it mothers have tons to do, but you will be missing out on bonding with your baby. These special times will never happen again so enjoy them. So what if your laundry is piling up and the dishes are dirty you can do all that later. Show your baby love while feeding them.
Your baby will get adequate nutrition and will thrive while on formula so don't worry if you can't breastfeed. Have fun formula feeding your baby with love.
