Postpartum Guide for Couples: Week 5
This week, we will discuss introducing a bottle. Now is a great time! We’ll also discuss mastitis and how Dad can help feed baby.
What’s Going On With Baby
Little by little, your baby is getting stronger. You may notice them lifting their head off your chest more to change positions or look around. Tummy time is an excellent way for baby to develop this skill. If you aren’t already, you may wonder when it’s best to introduce a breastfed baby to a bottle. Here are some things to consider when planning this transition:
Many experts recommend waiting until 4-6 weeks of age before introducing a bottle to reduce the risk of nipple confusion.
Choose a bottle and nipple that mimic the breast to help baby transition. We really like Evenflo and Dr. Brown's bottles.
Have another adult feed baby while you are out of the room (sometimes, if baby can sense you’re nearby, they won’t take the bottle)
Start with a small amount of breastmilk in the bottle.
Try the bottle when baby is calm and not overly hungry or full.
Overall, you’ll want to be patient and stay calm. Some babies take a bottle immediately, and some need time to adjust.
What’s Going On With Mom
Breastfeeding is a time-consuming task and can affect your mental health. You may feel pressured to nurse exclusively or guilty if you want to quit altogether. Some moms like being left alone during nursing sessions, whereas others feel isolated and lonely. It is okay to pump or supplement with formula if breastfeeding exclusively is not cutting it. Breastfeeding can also result in contracting mastitis, a painful condition when there is inflammation or infection in the breast tissue. Signs of mastitis include:
Breast pain that could be localized to one area
Swelling, redness, warmth in the affected area
Fever and chills
Flu-like symptoms
Hard or lumpy areas in the breast
Nipple discharge (pus-like)
If you experience these symptoms, you should continue breastfeeding and drain the breast with the blockage each time. Use ice rather than heat to reduce inflammation. A healthcare provider can offer antibiotics to help clear the infection.
What’s Going On With Partner
There are many ways to help support Mom and baby while you are home. If Mom has been handling household duties up until baby’s birth, you can begin taking over these chores to keep the house in decent shape. You can also help meet Mom and baby’s needs by providing nutritious meals and snacks, holding baby, and helping with feeding sessions (either by bottle feeding or burping baby). Here are some tips for bottle-feeding your little one:
Use a nipple with a flow rate appropriate to your baby’s age (e.g., slow flow for newborns).
Keep bottles and nipples clean
Prepare the formula safely by following the water-to-formula ratios
Test the formula's or breastmilk's temperature by placing a few drops on your wrist. It should feel warm but not hot.
Hold your baby in a semi-upright position while feeding
There may seem like many rules to follow, but before you know it, you’ll know exactly what to do whenever you feed baby.
RESOURCE OF THE WEEK
If you need additional support with bottle feeding, combo feeding, formula feeding and everything in between, it's not too late to sign up for our Newborn Class for Couples! We cover everything you need to know about your baby from ages 0-4 months. Sign up below.
