From Breast To Bottle

A common problem that can keep new moms at home much longer than they can afford, often has to do with switching baby from breast to the bottle. A ten-week-old baby who only knows the world of nursing may very well resist the bottle method. The smell, the feel, and the shape of the nipple itself is so different than what baby is used to, it is no wonder Mom might have a rough time at first.

The good news is that hungry babies get over their fussiness in pretty short order. For breast feeding mothers, often the best way to make the transition is to allow someone else to work the bottle full of breast milk into the baby's feeding schedule. In fact, those feedings will likely be more successful if Mom isn't anywhere around during. Moms know how easily distracted their infant can be!

Another way to help with the changeover is to introduce a pacifier. Some experts might disagree, claiming the pacifier can have questionable long-term effects. Parents should discuss this with their child's pediatrician if they're unsure. The benefit of a pacifier in the early stages of weaning baby from breast to bottle is that by encouraging your baby to take one may help make his mouth less sensitive to foreign objects.

A wonderful solution to mothers who wish to continue breast feeding after they have returned to work is the basic electric breast pump, which allows Mom to supply breast milk to her child's daycare provider.