Bonding while Bottle Feeding
by courtkneeCreating a lasting bond with your child goes well beyond your feeding choice. Bottle feeding does not mean you’re a less of a mother, or hurting your child in anyway. Studies show that cradling your baby while feeding and looking into their eyes forges attachment between mother and child. Whether bottle feeding or breastfeeding, the attention to the emotional aspects of feeding are the important during baby’s mealtimes.
The stereotypes against bottle feeding are the result of years of improper bottle feeding practices. During the middle of last century, bottle feeding became the norm and breastfeeding was discouraged. Bottle feeding did not include touching and babies were often left in their cribs with bottles or sat with their bottles propped up. Feeding schedules were encouraged and intimacy between mother and child decreased. Many supporters of breastfeeding characterize bottle feeding in this old-fashioned and rigid way.
Bottle feeding is simply an option that may be right for a mother and her circumstances, for whatever reasons. If breastfeeding is not right for a mother than it won’t be right for her baby. The intimacy and bonding that is experienced with breastfeeding is totally possible when bottle feeding an infant. Make feeding a special time by holding your infant close and gazing into their eyes while you give them the bottle. Never prop a bottle or leave an infant unattended with a bottle. Feed your infant “on demand” and avoid a rigid schedule. Talk with your doctor about responding to your baby’s feeding cues while bottle feeding. Bottle feeding, when done right, is an incredible opportunity to bond with your new baby. Just like breastfeeding, it is a time to develop intimacy and attachment with your child.
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