Just wanted to share something

[MrsHop]

Hi all,

I've read a lot lately about ladies saying they're going to combination feed due to dad, not realising that this can actually be detrimental to their breastfeeding journey in the early days.

I found this on Kelly Mom which some of you may find interesting; http://www.normalfed.com/Why/dad.html

Kelly Mom is a fantastic research tool and I would urge any prospective parent to take a look at it; http://kellymom.com/

If anyone has any other links they'd like to share please do so

 

[Sarah13]

I love Kelly mom, some great advice on there. I agree, combination feeding isn't the best idea, express now and then so daddy can give the odd feed maybe after breast feeding is established.

 

[Tigger87]

We waited till around 5/6 weeks to express, and now he's dropped a night feed I take some off then to store in the freezer, so it's there if I need to go out and don't have time to pump first!

To be honest, I hate seeing my little one take a bottle. First few times I cried. Dad doesn't bond that much better, they don't cuddle as close, he seems to enjoy it more if he burps baby after I've fed him.

To anyone considering it I would definitely advice taking advantage of dads help in other ways rather than doubling the time taken to feed

 

[BunnyN]

Not saying it's wrong if that's what you decide to do but I don't really get why a dad has to feed a baby to bond. I think the ways mums and dads are different is part of what creates a special bond. Sure LO cries for me when she is hungry or needs cuddles but she bounces and waves her arms with joy when she sees her daddy coming. She loves it when he flies her around the room like an airplane and all sorts of exciting things he seems better at than me. We both have a special bond with her, being different just makes it more special.

 

[BeeSmall]

My oh finds that playing with Henry and talking to him and seeing him smile has helped him bond way more than giving him an expressed bottle...I'm not sure how giving a bottle helps bonding? Obviously breastfeeding is different because you are cuddling baby, skin to skin etc. when I've given Henry a bottle it almost feels like a chore, another job to be done like changing nappies!

 

[knopk@]

Both my sons were breastfed (first mixed fed)..No difference in.bonding. Giving a bottle does not make a bond.

 

[LauraJane9]

I've been wondering about this, I'm still WTT but I'm already thinking way ahead to things like this and was wondering if OH would feel pushed aside if the feeding was solely down to me but I'm sure Dads found a way to bond with their children way before bottles and expressing came about, I think the other ladies are right and that dads bond in a different way.

 

[MrsHop]

I just don't understand why mums think dads have to feed to bond, it's crazy in my mind. If a child has to have a feeding tube they still bond with mum! Hubs is looking forward to bath time, says it's going to be his thing

 

[Gemsy]

Agree with you ladies. My OH always winds Freddie after I have fed, and he does loads of other bits. He actually I think enjoys bathing more - its a lovely time for them to spend together.

 

[Becky1]

Oh has only ever fed lo once - he doesn't like bottles so it really was a chore and not a pleasant experience for either! Oh has only once said he'd like to be able to feed him but he meant breastfeed as he said it must be lovely to know that your own body is providing all the nourishment lo needs!

They bond at playtime and bath time - once there done and it's bedtime it's over to me or udders as I get called at night lol x