Happy Baby, Happy Family: Learning to trust yourself and enjoy your baby. Sarah Beeson
up the baby’s food pipe and is either projectile-vomited or, in the case of silent reflux, is regurgitated back up in the oesophagus and swallowed again.
Reflux requires a professional medical diagnosis and treatment as the acid reflux may cause inflammation of your baby’s food pipe and affect their weight gain. If you think your baby has reflux and are worried they are not gaining weight and are in pain and distress, ask for a referral to a paediatrician to investigate and treat if needed.
Tongue-tie
Tongue-tie is when the frenulum, a short string-like membrane under the tongue, is tightly attached to the floor of the mouth rather than loosely attached. If your baby has trouble sticking out their tongue and it doesn’t go past their gums, or pulls into a heart shape, they may be tongue-tied. If your baby latches on and feeds well, and is gaining weight, they may not need any treatment. However, if your baby finds latching difficult and is not feeding well, ask your health visitor or doctor about whether they think it would help to clip the frenulum.
Winding
Wind is a build-up of gases in the stomach. With all the feeding your baby does there is inevitably a lot of wind in their tummy which causes gripe pains. By winding and burping your baby you are helping them to bring up some of that gas so they feel more relaxed and happier. (Winding techniques are described in the A–Z section.)
Moving on from breastfeeding when the time is right for you
There is no perfect time to give up breastfeeding; it is simply when the time is right for you. Many mums will experience a moment that signifies breastfeeding is coming to an end. It may be for practical reasons like returning to work, or it may be when biting becomes a problem, or that weaning is so established your baby is not showing much interest in breast milk these days. Don’t worry about what your friends are doing; some women may only breastfeed for the first few weeks; others will go on until their child is one or over. Whatever you decide, your baby has benefited hugely from the nourishment and time you have given them.
How to manage giving up breastfeeding if your baby is 0–6 months
If in the early weeks of breastfeeding you feel you want to stop and completely switch to formula, do try and drop one feed at a time if you can, rather than suddenly stopping altogether, which makes it hard on you physically (you’ll experience engorgement) and your baby (who will need time to adjust to taking formula from a bottle).
You may want your partner or someone else to give the bottle to start with, as it can be confusing for your baby to smell the milk on you and taste the formula at the same time. Once they are used to it, most babies will happily take the bottle of formula from Mum and some won’t care who gives it to them just so long as they get their milk. Do whatever is right for you and your baby. (You’ll find some helpful advice on bottle feeding in the next chapter.)
Strategies for giving up breastfeeding if your baby is over 6 months old
For mums who want to switch to formula from six months, it is best to drop one feed at a time and replace with a bottle. Babies who are weaning still need regular milk feeds, but when you give them is trial and error. Often it is the middle feed of the day that is easiest to switch first of all from breast to bottle. Your Little One should be easily taking their bottle before you drop another breastfeed. When you are both ready, try replacing the mid-morning breastfeed with a bottle, and then the mid-afternoon or tea-time feed. Pick the feeds where it makes sense or feels right to give the bottle. I know mums who’ve dropped the tea-time feed first because that is when their partner gets home from work and they can give the bottle instead.
The last feeds to go are usually the early-morning feed and finally the last feed before bed.
How long you take to do this is up to you. It may be that for practical reasons such as returning to work it is something that has to be done over a few weeks. Alternatively, you may have the time to make a gradual change over months.
Dropping the breastfeeds one at a time sounds easy but it can be an emotional and challenging time for many women. You may have your own feeling of loss and even grief when switching to the bottle even if you have been expressing milk, or it might be a huge relief – there is no right or wrong way to feel. Giving up breastfeeding is a decision only you can make. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself and, if you can, go with the flow (no pun intended!). Look at the positives – you may find you have more energy, less of an appetite, or just a bit more time to yourself. Trust yourself; you love your baby more than anyone, so have confidence in your own skills and intuitive feelings, and you and your baby will settle into this new method and way of feeding. (For further advice on formula feeding or when to switch to cows’ milk, take a look at the next chapter.)
Trust Yourself Checklist
Here’s a few reminders for you to check off, so you can trust that you are doing everything you can to successfully breastfeed your baby.
The Secrets for Successful Bottle-feeding
Both formula- and breastfeeding mums can use bottles to feed their baby. Whether you choose to bottle-feed from the start, after a few weeks, months or at an age when your baby can go straight onto cows’ milk, I know you’ll want to do the best for your baby. One of the most common issues mums who are bottle-feeding have told me they experience is feeling judged – that people think they are a bad mum because they aren’t breastfeeding their baby. Your decision to formula-feed is your business and no one else’s; you don’t need to explain yourself to other people (it doesn’t matter whether you are formula-feeding because you had difficulties breastfeeding or if it was something you didn’t feel was right for you – you don’t have to justify yourself to other people whether they are friends, family or even health professionals!).
Once you’ve started to bottle-feed, for whatever reason, embrace it and just look at all the positive things you are doing for your Little One every day. It may help if you let the people supporting you know if you feel guilty or that you are being judged. They will more than likely tell you what a good mum you are, and help create a shield from unwelcome comments.
Bonding with your baby during bottle-feeds
I know some mums do worry that if they aren’t breast-feeding they won’t be able to bond with their baby, but when you feed your baby with their bottle this can be a wonderful opportunity to connect and enjoy each other. Making the most of this one-on-one time will really make a difference.
Look into your baby’s eyes, hold their gaze, sing to them, talk to them and hold their tiny hand. Your baby knows your voice so well; they heard it while they were in your womb, and will get a lot of reassurance from just being close to you, hearing your heartbeat and the sound of your breathing. This will help to encourage attachment between you and your baby, and dads can get in on the act, too.
Bottle-feeding in a calm and relaxed environment where you and your baby can focus on each other will have huge benefits. Enjoy this time, and the extra cuddles you can give them while winding them as you rub their back