When you have a newborn, friends and family are quick to offer opinions on feeding methods, sleep schedules, and everything in between. We all appreciate well-Âintentioned advice, but sometimes all you need is affirmation that your choice matters. I think this is especially true when it comes to deciding whether you’re going to breast feed, bottle feed or supplement with formula. Everyone seems to have an opinion on this, but when it comes to feeding time “mother knows best.” I’ve partnered with Mirum and Parent’s Choice for this sponsored post to share some of my own tips to make the most of feeding time. All opinions are my own.
I breastfed my son for the first few months, then switched to formula when it was time for me to return to work. So many moms feel like they won’t be able to bond well with their baby if the are not breast feeding. I totally felt that at first. It becomes a lot of stress that moms don’t have to put themselves through. There are so many ways to bond with your baby even if you are not able to breast feed. It is all about making bottle feeding a special time with your baby.
Your choice matters.
Make the Most of Feeding Time
Always hold your baby. While being busy is stressful, it is always best to hold your baby and not prop up the bottle. Holding your baby during a feeding cements that bonding feeling for both of you.
Turn off the distractions. Yes, as a mom who has a lot going on, it is hard to turn off wanting to multi task. But feeding time can be such a wonderful time to connect with your baby. Put down the phone. Turn off the tv. Look into your baby’s beautiful face.
Take off your shirt. Babies thrive with skin on skin contact. That is one of the reasons babies who are breast fed have such a special bond with mom. Give your baby the skin on skin feeling that babies love. If taking off your shirt isn’t an option, try wearing a tank top or a shirt that can be lowered to provide skin on skin contact.
Follow baby’s cues. Don’t worry about if it has only been a certain amount of time since the last feeding. If baby is showing cues, like sucking on fists or rooting, when the baby is looking for a nipple, feed him or her. Feeding on demand is a great way for baby to feel like all of his needs are being met.
Talk with your baby. Babies love to hear your voice. Talk to your baby about what is going on around you or how much you love your baby. It doesn’t matter what you are talking about, just use a soft soothing voice and your baby will love it.
Sing. Most people say, but I can’t sing when someone tells them to sing to their baby. The thing is, babies do not care what it sounds like, to them, mom sounds amazing. They just love hearing your voice and they will come to recognize the songs you sing to them. You will start to see which songs babies love because baby will start to smile. Don’t worry about how you sound. If you don’t know children songs, sing your favorite song from the radio. Just like when you are talking to baby, it only matters that you are doing it. Baby will love hearing you sing.
Should you choose that bottle feeding is right for you and your baby, there are many benefits to choosing Parent’s Choice® baby formula sold exclusively at Walmart. It is conveniently located in the baby department at my local Walmart store. It is also available online at Walmart.com.
In addition to saving up to $600 a year over alternative formulas, shoppers who choose Parent’s Choice® will discover an infant formula that is:
- Nutritionally comparable to more expensive national brand infant formulas, including Enfamil®, Similac®, and ︎Gerber®.
- Compliant with FDA nutritional standards and the recommendations of the AAP – the American Academy of Pediatrics. ︎
- Clinically proven to support growth and development. ︎
- Easy to digest and has been well tolerated by millions of babies.
- Clinically proven to be as well tolerated by infants as national brand formulas. ︎
- Meets the highest-quality FDA nutritional ︎standards, just like Enfamil, Similac and Gerber.
Exclusive to Walmart since 1998, Parent’s Choice® Infant Formula has been a leading choice for feeding babies with millions of parents across the United States. Parent’s Choice offers a variety of baby formulas to meet your baby’s needs. Parent’s Choice® Advantage Tub Powder Stage 2 Formula, Parent’s Choice® Sensitivity Canned Powder Infant Formula, Parent’s Choice® Premium Powder Infant Formula, ​P​arent’s Choice® Gentle Infant Formula with Iron are all available at Walmart.
What tips do you have to make the most of feeding time?
I’m not a mom but my sister has always said this is one of her favourite mom-and-me time. Precious time with her little one when they could bond.
I think having that time to relax and focus on your baby is nice. Leaving distractions behind is a good idea!
Great tips no matter how one is feeding their baby. I kept breast feeding once I returned to work, but that was just our choice, using a breast pump at work. Interesting times, since I was in the Army!
Feeding time is an important time to relax and focus. Having distractions could turn in to bad habits later.
It can be such a personal time. Great post for new moms!
These are definitely some great tips when it comes to feeding time. I especially think the distractions are easier today than they used to be. Thanks for sharing.
I breastfed my son for 2 years with added complimentary food. Feeding time is the best time for the baby and mom. Love the bonding time!
Parent’s Choice is a brand I like to use from time to time. They have never let me down!
I love the tip about skin on skin contact. IT truly makes a difference.
I did a lot of these things while feeding my four kids. It is a great time for bonding and just soaking them in.