Feeding- know your options, tips and tricks

Remember that how you feed your baby is a personal decision

Most women do not meet their breastfeeding goals

Deciding on how to feed your baby is a personal decision. What is important is that you and your baby are content and happy and you have support around you for the decision you have made. As a Postpartum Doula it is not my role to convince you to breast or bottle feed, every mother and child are different with specific needs. The guilt and anxiety about feeding can be detrimental to your postpartum mental health so it is important that you are educated, supported and empowered about how YOU choose to feed your child. I’m going to assume you have looked into the benefits and drawbacks for either breast feeding or formula. This article provides information about the options once you have decided how you would like to feed.

Breast Feeding

·         2/3 of Australian mothers do not meet their own breastfeeding goals

·         Breastfeeding is a skill that every mother and baby need to learn that can take time to learn

Considering that most mothers do not meet their breastfeeding goals it is important to educate yourself about breastfeeding before giving birth. The Australian Breastfeeding Association is a fantastic organisation with loads of resources about breast feeding, a 24 hour a day helpline and in-person mothers support groups and education classes. Hot tip: you are going to want to research good latching! It is all about the latch!

Planning to breastfeed? Prepare to succeed! | Australian Breastfeeding Association

Exclusive or Mixed?

You can choose to either exclusively breastfeed your child or mix feed, meaning formula and breast milk. It is important to understand how breastfeeding works in this case, because skipping a feed effects your supply of breastmilk and there are ways to do this to avoid ending up engorged, uncomfortable and at worse with mastitis- a painful infection. If you are choosing to mix-feed for whatever reason (and every reason is valid if its your choice) then speak to a supportive lactation consultant who can help you plan for your circumstances.

Expressing

Expressing you milk is not always necessary but there are loads of different reasons to express your milk that you may want to consider. You can express your milk manually by hand or with a pump. Electric pumps are quicker and often easier to use than manual pumps but are not necessarily very portable. Not all electric pumps were created equal and there are so many different variations and sizes. If you think you would like to express, you can consider hiring one first to make sure it is the right pump for you. If you are expressing your milk you will need to have a safe storage solution as expressed milk will only last up to 4 hours in room temperature, so it’s a good idea to purchase milk freezer bags. There is also the consideration of which bottles and teats will best support your breastfeeding journey. Again, it is best to speak with a lactation consultant about your plans and what products might be best for your situation.

Help me feed app

The Help Me Feed app is a relatively new revelation to help with all your breastfeeding needs. The app provides 24 hour support by lactation professionals at the tip of your fingers so you don’t even have to get out of your pj’s. There are also a plethora of excellent videos which can be really helpful to demonstrate good positions and latching.

Bottle Feeding

Unfortunately, you’ll find there generally isn’t as much help if you decide to formula feed your baby. Often parents are left to follow the instructions on the formula packaging and there isn’t too much guidance about how, when or what formula to choose for your baby. Before you bottle feed, it is important to understand how to prepare, store, clean and warm the expressed breast milk or formula. The raising children website is a good resource to begin your planning for formula feeding.

Hot Tip: always have a store of cooled boiled water in an airtight container in your fridge. There is nothing worse than having a hungry baby who has to wait while the bottle cools in the freezer or warms in a bottle warmer (if you are opposed to microwaving bottles). You can add half boiling water and half cooled boiling water from the fridge- but always test the temperature on yourself first!

Formulas

Choosing a formula can be overwhelming- there are so many brands at various prices. Some contain extra added benefits and can be quite expensive. But it is always best to read the labels and be aware that more expensive does not necessarily mean it is the best for your baby. Some babies will need formulas with less added iron for constipation, others may have an adverse reaction to cow’s milk. Sometimes choosing a formula can be a bit of trial and error.

Sterilizing

Bottles can be breeding ground for bacteria so bottles (and any baby feeding equipment) should eb thoroughly sterilized. You can get you-beaut sterilization machines these days but in the good ole days people would submerge the feeding equipment in water in a pot and bring it to the boil for 5 minutes! There are conflicting reports about how often to sterilize bottles with recent research suggesting it should be done daily rather than after each feed. If you are planning to sterilize after each feed just remember to have a few bottles on hand!

Setting up a feeding station

I think setting up a feeding station is more important than the baby’s room in the initial stages. You are going to spend a lot of time feeding your baby and it is important to feel comfortable. I highly recommend setting up a feeding station either in a specific feeding chair, beside your bed or near the couch. Remember setting up a space that feels warm, inviting and calm will be beneficial to your relaxation and enjoyment of a task you will be doing up to 10 times a day in the beginning. Consider:

-          Dim, soft lighting like a salt lamp or candle burner

-          Comfortable cushions and blankets for the winter

-          A water bottle

-          A collection of high protein, easy to eat, one-handed snacks

-          A heat pack for sore shoulders/back/ breasts

-          If you are breastfeeding you may want to consider: a pump, nipple shields, nipple cream, nipple pads and a breast massager. Although don’t make it too complicated!

-          A collection of burp/spew clothes so your pjs do not get soaked at 2am

-          Nappies, wipes and nappy bags

-          A change of clothes for baby in the case of a poo explosion

-          Some roll-on lavender oil to aid with sleep and feeling calm (for you, not baby)

-          A kindle/ book or phone and charger

One of the biggest barriers to breastfeeding is poor family and social support and there is evidence recently that women who have difficulty breastfeeding are at more risk of developing postpartum depression. We all know that breastfeeding is the optimal choice for the baby’s health benefits but it is important that your rights as well as mental and physical health are considered too. It is my role as your Postpartum Doula to support your choice every step of the way.