Starting the Bottle After Birth (In the Hospital)
Some women do not have the luxury of breastfeeding for medical reasons. Perhaps they are sick or perhaps their baby is sick. Other women may want to quickly combine breastfeeding and bottlefeeding. Whatever the reason, if you need to start bottlefeeding in the hospital (very soon or right after birth), you have to be prepared for it. Here are some tips:
- Let the Nursing Staff Know – Remember to discuss this situation (whether it be for medical reasons or because it is your choice) with your doctor, and make sure your nursing staff is aware of it. The nursing staff will be able to help you prepare for feedings, help the baby prepare for feedings, and help you clean up afterwards (sterilizing the bottles and teats.)
- Prepare Your Bottles and Teats – While some hospitals provide bottles and teats, you are best preparing your own. Some babies can get attached to certain teats or to certain bottles, so having a set that is just for your baby is a good idea. Make sure you have everything you need two weeks before your due date. If your baby arrives early, you're all ready.
- Have a Variety of Teats – Babies can be picky when it comes to teats. If you have more than one child, you will notice that each one will prefer a different teat. Sometimes babies like to change teats as they grow and develop. So when starting the bottle in the hospital, remember to have a variety of teats for your baby to try and see which one they respond to best, meaning which one they can feed from the easiest.
Many teats are made from silicone, but some babies find this difficult to feed from because they are not very flexible. Orthodontic teats, which are more flexible and more like a nipple may be preferred by your baby, especially if you had breastfed them a few times and they became accustomed to your nipple. Your doctor can also recommend a teat for your baby.
- Check on the Hospital's Milk – Remember to check on what kind of milk is available in the hospital. If you are combining breastfeeding and bottlefeeding, you can express your own breastmilk and use that. If you cannot breastfeed for medical reasons, check on the hospital's milk supply.
Some hospitals can supply breastmilk (from mothers who have excess and choose to donate) and formula milk. Other hospitals do not provide milk at all, which means you will have to bring your own formula. If your hospital provides a formula milk, ask which brand it is and see if your doctor recommends it. If your doctor prefers a different brand, and you are more comfortable going with your doctor's advise, buy that brand and bring it to the hospital for your baby.
Because you are going to be bottlefeeding sooner than most, you have to face the challenge of bonding while bottlefeeding. Keeping your baby feeling happy and secure while bottlefeeding is very important. Feeding is the time that many babies and mothers bond and form attachments, so it is important that you make the most of that time and make sure your baby enjoys it too.
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