Avoiding the excuses

Suggestions for avoiding baby bottles

It can be tempting for a new mom to get a little extra sleep or have some time to unwind by having someone else feed her newborn a bottle.  But little does she realize, feeding one bottle of formula can have lasting effects.  This isn’t common for every mother and baby pair, but it is still a common occurrence.  To ensure breastfeeding success, avoid bottles and formula for as long as possible (at least until breastfeeding is well established and the milk supply is regulated – about 3-4 weeks).  All too often one bottle can lead to two, and two can lead to more and before you know it, your milk supply is minimal and it is hard to get back – or your baby prefers bottle nipples instead of your own.  Don’t miss out on the benefits of breastfeeding - here are some of the most common reasons a mom might want to give her baby a bottle – and ways it can be avoided.

I’m too tired

New moms are certainly busy – and tired – moms.  Sleep is important.  Try nursing on your side so that you can take a nap while baby nurses.  If you are not comfortable with that, be sure to sleep when your baby sleeps – even if that means during the day.  If that is impossible due to other children or other things ask for help.  Ask your partner, ask your well meaning friends and family to do the chores that you might otherwise be tempted to do while your baby naps.  When you have your baby, many people will offer to help.  Let them! 

I’m too busy

Being a mom of two, owning my own business, working from home from two other businesses and writing two books and more.…. I totally understand busy.  But, I also understand that those things can wait long enough for me to be able to nurse and tend to my children first.  Nursing is not just about feeding your baby – it’s about bonding.  Your baby can see you better up close as a newborn and breastfeeding is an incredible time for bonding and also comforting your baby.  Think of the time you spend nursing as your downtime.  You can read a book, relax, “take a break” from the pressures of life.  By doing so you are also helping your body recover from giving birth!  If you must continue doing something while you are nursing you have a few options available – purchasing a sling, which will keep your baby tight and secure against your body can be great for not only nursing, but keeping babies calm.  Remember your baby has just come out of your uterus which was a dark, warm, comforting environment.  Adjustment can take a while in the outside world.  Slings can keep your baby close, in a darker environment and it’s still warm.  He or she will be comforted by your movement as you go about your day.  Nursing can easily be done in a sling, hands free, so you can continue on with life and continue to nurse.  You might also enjoy using a pillow such as a Kozy Kushion which adjusts to meet your needs unlike any other nursing pillow and can be helpful for nursing while you tend to sit-down tasks without having to lean over or pile up unsteady pillows in your lap.  Whenever possible, nurse your baby in your arms and spend that time bonding!

I want someone else to bond with the baby or participate in care

Many new moms and dads worry that they are missing out on incredible bonding time when it comes to feeding.  Truth be told, bonding occurs through many other activities!  Feeding is not the only way you tend to your baby’s needs and teach them about love and trust.  Changing diapers, bathing, burping, holding, rocking, dancing, singing, cuddling, changing clothes, you name it, any interaction with your baby is a chance for bonding to occur and to teach baby that it is cared about by everyone around him. 

I’m afraid my breasts will change

The act of becoming pregnant changes your breasts – it is not entirely by nursing its self.  In fact, if you were to decide not to breatfeed simply because you don’t want your breasts to change you would become disappointed anyway – they’ve already changed!

I’m uncomfortable with nursing in general

Often, moms are uncomfortable with nursing because of the view our society seems to have on breasts.  Women lack the education and support they need throughout their pregnancy to initiate and succeed and breastfeeding, and the media and the rest of society feel that breasts are for men and should be a sex symbol.  Our breasts were put on our bodies to feed our babies.  How incredible is it to realize that we can feed our babies completely, without a single extra item, and know that we are giving our babies the very best nutrition possible?  Even knowing this, moms are uncomfortable.  My suggestion to you is to face your feelings – why do you feel the way you do?  Really think hard, and then face it head on – educate yourself in the area you feel uncomfortable about.  In many cases the feeling of discomfort is from a lack of understanding or information (or a history of growing up seeing babies fed formula, and thinking breasts are a sexual body part).  What is the worst thing that could happen if you decide to try breastfeeding?   Research it, take a class, talk to someone who knows about breastfeeding (a professional), and decide to give it a try.  Set a small goal – try to nurse for a few days or a week.  Any amount of breastfeeding will benefit your baby.  Take baby steps and go from there.  Breastfeeding is a learned art, and many moms feel uncomfortable as they learn the ropes.  This is to be expected, but when you have a desire to provide the very best nutrition for your baby, sometimes that feeling of discomfort goes on the wayside.

I’m uncomfortable nursing in public

Nursing is public can be intimidating for some moms, especially when you are new at nursing and still feel a little clumsy.  Bring a blanket with you and cover your baby and the shoulder of the side you are nursing on so you are completely covered, and nurse in a quiet area if you can.  Some moms prefer to use a changing room at a store, while others may feel more comfortable going back out to their car.  Practice at home before trying it in public.  Try it in front of a mirror so you can see what you are doing, and then try nursing at a friends house before going out to a public place.  There is nothing wrong with nursing your baby in public, and it can be done discretely and quietly (even to the point that no one notices you are nursing a baby – people may just think you are holding a baby!  I’ve had a few people walk up to me while I’ve been nursing and they try to lean over to see my baby’s face until I tell them I’m nursing). 

I have to return to work

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