EVERYTHING
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First Years (0-2)
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Would a new diaper bag full of formula and other goodies make you less likely to try breastfeeding your new baby? Officials in the state of Boston think so, which is why they’ve banned the distribution of the so-called “goodie bags” at hospitals there. Formula samples are, however, still available at the hospitals. No word yet on whether or not California will follow suit. You may have heard that the 2006 immunization schedule has been changed. However, the changes won’t impact most California infants. Hep A was added to the national schedule, but it was already part of our state’s vaccination program. Two additional booster shots for meningococcal conjugate vaccine and tetanus and diphtheria toxoids and acellular petussis (Tdap) have been added for 11- to 12-year-olds. Try, try again. If your toddler seems like a picky eater, don’t give up. Remember that it may take up to 10 exposures to a food before she accepts it. Data from a national study revealed that 25% of parents decided that their toddler disliked a food after only two exposures – and that most made judgments about acceptance after only 3-5 presentations. Recent survey data suggest that indicators of obesity may be detectable even in infancy. More than 10% of infants reportedly surpass the 95th percentile for length and weight. The good news is that additional research indicates that for each month of breastfeeding, there is an associated 4% decrease in the risk of developing obesity. Had you asked me during my ninth month of pregnancy if I planned to breastfeed my newborn, I would have answered an emphatic, “yes.” My mind was made up. Unfortunately (as I came to realize a few weeks later), I had not consulted a very important person before making the decision – my baby. Like many of the idealized notions of motherhood I held to before the birth of my child, breastfeeding failed to live up to expectations. Without going into the gory details, it was six weeks of torture, for me, my husband and my precious little infant. Things were not going well, but I pressed on for the sake of my baby’s health. It was not until one particularly tearful early, early morning that I realized what my infant needed more than my breast: It was my sanity. Many women and their babies are nursing champs, and according to what countless childcare books, pediatricians and researchers say, “Breast is best.” Still, that doesn’t help throngs of loving parents who for whatever reason are unable to breastfeed. In fact, it makes us all feel more than a little guilty. Getting over the guilt, in my case, meant understanding I was a human being and so was my child. We had our individual peculiarities. We were not perfect. A breast had come between us for weeks, but it was a bottle that ultimately allowed us to relish in our bond as mother and son. Choosing your equipment Whether you plan to breastfeed exclusively or not, it’s good to have a contingency plan. Save receipts and leave your gear unopened until you need it. You can always return bottles, nipples and all of those inanimate babyfeeding accoutrements. Remember, it’s not easy to rebound from a late-night nursing session gone awry. Moms have a cult-like following for their favorite bottle brands. I tried Avent, Dr.Brown’s and Walmart’s Parent’s Choice brand before discovering the Platex nursing system. Disposable plastic bag inserts collapse as your baby feeds, preventing him from sucking down excess air. For my fussy, gassy infant, these low-tech bottles were a godsend. Silicon nipples slipped too easily from my baby’s weak latch, but old-fashioned latex nipples worked great. Bottle companies have gone to great lengths to create products that mimic natural breastfeeding as closely as possible. There’s even a bottle (Adiri Breast Bottle Nurser) that looks like the real thing. I’d suggest buying a few different brands of bottles and nipples, then experimenting until you find what works best for you and your baby. Finding the right formula Mother Nature is pretty tough to beat when it comes to infant food, but modern technology has come a long way toward creating an acceptable substitute. Manufactured formula lacks the antibodies and specific nutrients present in mother’s milk, so even if you cannot nurse your baby at the breast, it’s a good idea to pump and feed via a bottle for as long as possible. In their quest for your business, infant formula manufacturers are generous with samples of their products. Your Ob/Gyn and pediatrician’s office have samples available, and you will most likely receive formula freebies in the goodie bag you receive when you leave the hospital. I tried three brands and many versions of infant formula before I discovered Enfamil Gentlease, a formula created specifically for babies with colic symptoms of fussiness or gas. Selecting the appropriate infant formula can be daunting given all of the options. For the purposes of simplification, formulas come in two basic types: cow’s milk-based and soy-based. In the milk-based arena, companies have developed lactose-free products and formulations made of broken-down milk proteins to assist babies with allergies or sensitivity to cow’s milk. Consult your pediatrician for advice on whether your child requires a special formula. Regardless of whether you select a soy- or milk-based product, choose a formula that contains DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and ARA (arachidonic acid), nutrients that have been shown to support brain and eye development. Bonding through a bottle Just as lactation consultants suggest you make a relaxing ritual of nursing your infant, you can create an equally soothing routine of bottlefeeding. In fact, if you struggled with breastfeeding, you may find switching to the bottle eases anxieties and allows you to finally enjoy this special time. Create a calm environment by dimming the lights, turning on a soothing CD and settling into a comfortable chair. Snuggle your baby close in to your body in a semi-reclined position (head higher than feet) and offer him the bottle at a 45-degree angle. Allow yourself to forget about the dishes in the sink and the clothes on floor, focusing instead on these few precious minutes when it’s just you and your child. Instead of dwelling on your failure to breastfeed, redirect your energies into congratulating yourself on being the vehicle for bringing a miracle into the world. We moms spend so much of our time worrying, fretting and critiquing that we let many of the truly perfect moments of motherhood pass us by. Sit back, relax and drink in the mutually nourishing experience of bottlefeeding with love. S. Danyelle Knight is a regular contributor to OC Family Magazine. |
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