Bottle, Mixed feeding & Wind

So I’ve talked a lot about breastfeeding in my previous section because most mothers do want to start off breastfeeding but in most mothering journeys there is also a time when you might need a bottle, whether that’s a choice from the start, a medical necessity or simply because you’re looking at other options to breastfeeding. Feeding is a very personal choice and if you have come to bottle feeding and it hasn’t been your choice because you have had breastfeeding challenges, please know you are not a failure and you didn’t do anything wrong. Breastfeeding trauma is real and not very well known. When women have to stop prematurely, it can be very upsetting and there is a period of grieving sometimes.

If this is you, firstly I’m so so sorry it hasn’t worked out and I want you to really hear me when I say, it wasn’t your fault. When a breastfeeding journey comes to an early end but the mother’s desire would have been to carry on, it is your support that has failed you. Often lack of the right information at the right time leads to problems and sometimes the end of breastfeeding. Luckily there is more and more support out there but we need to know it’s there and be able to ask for it.

So I’m sending love to you mama, however you’re feeding for whatever reasons, you are feeding your baby with love and that’s what counts.

Bottle feeding

So bottle feeding (this link will take you to the UNICEF’s guidelines) is still a time to bond with your baby and get snuggled up with them. There is often some trial and error with bottles, getting the right teat, the right flow, the right milk…so expect a bit of a dance with this too just as you would in breastfeeding.

Through my night doula work recently I have been hanging out with lots of bottle fed babies and have seen so many kinds of bottles, teats and warmers so I can understand it is a bit of a mindfield for new parents.

This article goes into more detail on your options. I always think speaking to other bottle feeding mothers is the quickest way to get good insight and recommendations.

There is also paced bottle feeding which can help mimic breastfeeding more closely, if you’re bottle feeding a breastfed baby or are transitioning.

I would also like to mention the Tommee Tippee prep machine which I have used at a number of homes and I would never endorse a product usually as I’m not into baby gadgets generally but I found making bottles so much easier. It does all the work for you, controlling the temperature and the amount of water perfectly. I reaped the benefits as a tired doula so I can see how it would really help exhausted parents.

Also very handy are those milk powder dispensers so you can pre scoop your formula and make things that little bit quicker when you are one handed with a hungry baby.

Mixed Feeding

So mixed feeding…now mums can be mixed feeding for all kinds of reasons, to boost supply, to top up, to get a break, because of medication…and something that is often advised to support breastfeeding when the baby isn’t gaining weight or there is an issue is to mix feed. So what this means for Mum usually is pumping to boost supply, breastfeeding to support latching and formula to top up for weight gain. Now I’m not saying you should go against medical advice but what I am saying is go easy on yourself. This method is SO hard. Because you’re doing ALL the styles of feeding with none of the benefits of any of them in terms of for example you getting a break while someone else can bottle feed (you’ll be pumping) or the ease of simply lifting your top to breastfeed (you’re likely sore and feeds are painful), it’s just full on. I’ve seen this method really take Mums to the edge. So my very humble suggestion would be, pick two. Do two out of three to simplify things a bit. Breastfeed and top up with formula, Breastfeed and pump or pump and formula feed. It may feel like you’re giving up in some way but I think this is where your mental health needs attention. This was suggested to one of my mixed feeding Mums by a lovely lactation consultant and I thought it was excellent advice. If you’re not coping with the regime, drop one. You can speak to your midwife about this if you’re unsure but I’ve seen it relax a mum instantly.

Pumping

So you may need to pump for a number of reasons, to boost supply (although low supply is rare), you may be mixed feeding and offering breast milk in bottles, you might need to leave your baby and need to know they have your milk and for lots of other reasons, some mothers choose to exclusively pump. Whatever has brought you to pumping, here is a quick summary of a few things that might be helpful to know.

It is recommended not to pump within the first 6-8 weeks of your baby being born, this is to establish a great milk supply and help your baby initiate feeding well before introducing a bottle. However this is only a guide and if you need to pump earlier for any reason, then that is your choice of course and might be very necessary too.

There are different pumps, the main two types are hand or electric. Hand pumps are quite gentle and can be slower than electric pumps. Hand pumps are often used for occasional pumping and electric for more regular pumping but again, everyone is different. Often as always, the best source of information, is other mothers. What have your friends used and why did they find it worked for them? Considering this and your own preferences is a great way to sift through all the choices.

Some Mum to Mum recommended pumps:

Hand

Electric

Pumping can be emotional. Often mothers feel pressure to produce a certain amount and sometimes it just isn’t working. Things that help, looking at pictures of your baby, pumping on one side while feeding on the other and going gently with yourself. The pump is not your baby and your body will likely respond differently.

There is some great info on pumping on kellymom.com

Wind and your baby

Something that can really unsettle your baby is wind. I think it plays more of a part in an unsettled baby than most things. If your baby has wind, in effect they have a tummy ache and it’s harder to settle them or for them to feel comfortable with a windy tummy. It can be easy when you’re tired to not wind them but then it often causes more problems with an unsettled baby so it’s best to try and wind at each feed. Sometimes wind just doesn’t come up, baby’s guts are immature and if they can’t burp, they’ll work it out another way so don’t worry.

A grunty, wriggly baby may have wind. If a baby becomes unsettled during a feed, it could be wind and if your baby won’t lie down sometimes that’s wind too.

I’ve put this short video together to give you an idea of holds that can help wind your baby.

Bottle & mixed feeding

How has this helped my feeding choices?
Does the way I plan to feed, need a pump?
Who could I chat to about what worked for them?

However you are feeding your baby, you’ll be up through the night at first, so let’s take a look at sleep…

sleep

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