Mothers are expected to breastfeed soon after their babies are born. We all agree to it that a mother’s milk is the best food for a newborn.
However, many a time, breastfeeding just doesn’t happen the way it ideally should—either the baby is unable to latch or the mother’s body isn’t able to produce enough milk sufficient for their needs. When nothing seems to work right from breast pumps and lactation consultants, the mother feels let down. Anger and guilt take over—to a mother it seems like a failure to not being able to feed her own child. Peer pressure and social stigma could make it difficult for moms to cope with it.
However, moms mustn’t feel guilty about it—it is not always up to them. Some women try harder with the breast pump but get only a few drops. That doesn’t mean she won’t be able to enjoy emotionally bonding with the baby.
Dr. Ruth Lawrence who is a professor of pediatrics at the University of Rochester Medical Center, New York says that moms should bottle-feed their babies like how they would breastfeed them. She advises mothers to hold their munchkins closer to them and keep the bottle close to their chest when feeding. She emphasizes on having an eye contact with the baby and cuddling and caressing them to express their motherly love.
Formula Milk As An Alternative
Looking for alternative forms of feeding could have many reasons—lower supply of milk, the mother chooses not to breastfeed, latching problems, and nipple shapes or nipple cracks. Some women prefer donor milk from moms who are nursing. Doctors still warn mothers to make sure the milk is being pasteurized and frozen—a spoiled breast milk could even make the baby sick. Checking the health history of the donor could be a plus to ensure your baby’s source of nutrition is completely safe.
However, there are instances when the milk supply gets exhausted or moms want to try other alternatives when the baby’s demands start exceeding the external supply of breastmilk. This is when parents opt for formula based milk.
Formula milk is a safer option where parents need not worry about contamination of water. Lawrence adds that formula milk is also considered safer than other alternatives like cow’s milk or evaporated milk. It is made in such a way that it caters to the nutritional needs of the baby including optimum doses of protein and fat.
Benefits Of Formula Milk
Formula milk makes it a convenient choice for moms—they need not worry about pumping all day to get so little breastmilk. Mothers can share the feeding routine with their partners. Fathers can even bond with the baby while feeding them with formula milk. Moms can choose to have a variety of food, without worrying about having a negative effect on the baby. Formula milk also digests slowly, therefore babies need not have formula milk more often. You need not find a secluded place to either pump the milk or feed your baby.
It could be frustrating for a mom if she is unable to satisfactorily feed her baby her own breastmilk. Other than the possible medical conditions that hinder the production of breastmilk, there is only 0.1% chance that the mother doesn’t produce the milk at all—such cases are extremely rare.
Mothers must not feel disheartened. Sometimes, low confidence and a lesser knowledge on the management of breastfeeding could also lead to lower supplies in milk.
Though a mother’s anger and frustration are justified, some amount of breastfeeding is always possible. For moms who choose not to breastfeed and who can’t sufficiently, infant formula milk is a better choice. Moms can always bond with their baby irrespective of the method of feeding.
