Breastfeeding and formula feeding

Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for babies, as it contains all the necessary nutrients that an infant needs in its early stages. For various reasons, some parents decide formula feeding in full or in part is a better fit for their circumstances. I breast fed in the beginning and then moved to formula. In all cases, it’s worth investing in systems and equipment that genuinely make life easier. Here are some tips to make feeding a smooth experience.

Bottles (if so inclined)

One thing I’d say is to buy loads of the same type and brand and you’ll make washing, drying and sterilising so much easier. I went for Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature and found them great. There are different types of teat; slow, medium, and fast which are interchangeable. The other parts of the bottle remain the same, obviously.

Super-fast sterilising

Keeping bottles sterile is critical right up until the baby is one year old. I was so grateful that someone advised me to get a UV sterilizer because it only takes 3 minutes to complete, it’s dry and not only does it take bottles but you can put anything in there including keys, toys, teddies, phones, breast pump parts, etc. This saves hours and doesn’t take too much space on the counter. I used my Nuby UV Steriliser for everything my baby eats or drinks from or any toys I can’t put in the washing machine or dishwasher.

Breastfeeding

I think most people agree that there are so many benefits for Mom and baby associated with breastfeeding. Once established, breastfeeding can be super handy because you don’t have to worry about washing, sterilising, and preparing infinite numbers of bottles. Breastfeeding can take a while to get going and can be a complex and difficult journey for some. My little one was underweight for the first few weeks so I had to stick with it initially but I did move to formula after 3-4 months. My hat goes off to Moms who manage it for considerably longer times than that.

Breast pumps

Breast pumps are expensive and you may not need one at all so I wouldn’t rush out to buy one until you know you need one. If you do need one in a hurry you can rent one (in Dublin anyway) while you sort out a purchase.

I couldn’t recommend the one I had. But if I was going to buy again I’d look at buying one that was battery operated and that fits in the bra so that you can be doing things while you pump (rather than sitting still with your hands holding the breast attachments, near a plug socket). That said, you’re supposed to sit there and think of your baby while you pump (to stimulate flow) but if that’s not an issue and you have the money, I’d go for the Elvie Double electric breast pump.

I got a Haaka manual breast pump as well which is low-tech but seemingly very effective – particularly if you want to manage letdown on one breast while baby is on the other. I never used mine, personally.

Formula feeding

If you’re going to formula feed, reconsider before only buying pre-made baby formula which is very expensive, over time. While it’s definitely more hassle making up the bottles every day, powdered baby formula that comes in large tubs is a fraction of the price of the bottles of pre-prepared alternatives that come in bottles and it’s very much more environmentally friendly.

I know parents who paid far more for the pre-prepared baby formula because when they tried to move to powder, baby got sick. I often wondered was that to do with some bacteria somehow sneaking in to the production process. Here are some tips for healthy preparation that worked for me:

• It’s so important to wash and dry your hands thoroughly before putting your hands into the box of baby food to scoop out the powder. Since a box of formula (food) is on the go for about 3-5 days (sometimes a lot more) at room temperature, it’s a perfect breeding ground for bacteria
• Once baby drinks anything out of the bottle, it must be disposed of within the hour 
• Out and about: A bottle shouldn’t be out of the fridge for long though it could be kept in a cool place for a couple of hours. If you’re going to be out for a while, get these formula dispensers that go inside the bottles. That way you can get freshly boiled water while you’re out or use a flask of your own and mix up bottles on the go whenever you want (without carting the box of food)
• Make sure the water is 70 degrees centigrade or higher before you add it to the powder. You can of course do what the ‘Perfect Prep’ machines do – which is mix the powder with a shot of 70+ degree water, then top up with cooler water. In any event (and sorry to state the obvious) only use top-up water that has been recently boiled
• Use water that has been boiled only once

Breastfeeding and formula feeding are both important and understandable options for parents. Breastfeeding may be difficult at the start, but with determination and support it can become easier to continue – especially for Moms that reach out for support. Alternatively, if you opt to formula feed, make sure that you prepare the formula correctly in order to ensure safety for your baby.