For those who need it: The bottle edit.
Let me start by saying, I totally believe the mantra “Breast is best”, so much so, that I pumped and dumped every 4 hours while suffering from toxic shock syndrome, 2 weeks postpartum with my firstborn. At that time, I honestly believed that formula was the devil and that breast feeding was the only way for my baby to grow the way he should.
Research and general human history tells us the benefits to both mum and bub of breast milk - the antibodies, the weight loss… but…
Q: What happens when your baby needs to be FED in a situation where breast milk is not available?
A: You have to bottle feed and you need formula.
At my first community mothers group, after months of hospital stays, pick lines, specialist appointments and breast procedures, the nurse opened with the statement “Our first and foremost rule is that we DO NOT talk about bottle feeding”. To an extent, I get it. Breast feeding is hard and requires immense strength and perseverance when you have just given birth to new life.
However, there are people like me who medically cannot feed, or others who simply never produce enough milk for their babies to thrive.
This post has been written for those mums. Because when you are in that distressing, disheartening moment, grieving your lack of ability to nourish your child, you need info on how to change the situation, feed your baby, and quickly.
Here are some practical tips for setting up a feeding station. Whether you are doing mixed feeding or moving to formula, I hope this helps you in your moment of need…. because FED is best.
What you will need:
2 large glass Voss bottles for boiling water to cool in - or if using the Peristaltic Plus PPSU bottles, boiling water can go straight in to cool overnight.
Formula - we used Optipro, but goat milk is closest to human milk - just stinky
Formula storage towers - Pigeon https://www.chemistwarehouse.com.au/buy/7130/pigeon-powdered-milk-container-3-pack
Bottles and teats - the lactation consultant advised us that the pigeon bottles with WIDE NECK TEATS were best if going between bottle and breast, as they are slow flow and make the baby open their mouths wider to feed, in the hope that latching isn’t an issue when going back to breast. Chemist warehouse stocks these. The yellow bottles are more expensive but the plastic is better with heat. https://www.chemistwarehouse.com.au/buy/87811/pigeon-softouch-peristaltic-plus-ppsu-bottle-160ml-twin-pack There are different teats for different ages that increase with flow speed and a smaller sized bottle for newborns and a larger bottle for older babies requiring more.
Cleaning supplies - bottle brush, warm water, detergent
Bottle Feeding Station
This was set up when I had more than one child… as things needed to be readily available to grab and go. Systems are a total winner in this situation!
I found that Pigeon stacking formula storing towers were very helpful as i could could out the portions the night before and have all feeds ready for the following day - bottles filled with cooled, boiled water, ready to be mixed, shaken and served (these do not need to be heated, just served at room temperature).
Below is a picture of our set up - It’s just an IKEA pantry shelf with a container beneath (for dirty, rinsed but not properly cleaned bottles/sippy cups)and non-slip matting on top to allow things to drain after being cleaned. Everything was all in the one spot next to the Tommy Tippy steriliser https://www.target.com.au/p/tommee-tippee-electric-steam-steriliser/62829953?utm_term=62829953&utm_content=tommee-tippee-electric-steam-steriliser&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=SmartShopping%7CApparel®ion_id=102000&gclid=Cj0KCQjwy5maBhDdARIsAMxrkw22DdjxKFJLtXJvkQl06MxuuHu7GVINU-_kfebql69NMIyxfeaxT8EaAspmEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds .
My sister in law just purchased a great UV steriliser from NZ brand Milkbar that dries and uses UV to sterilise rather than steam https://milkbarnewzealand.com/products/milkbar-uv-steriliser which she finds great for all her pump parts too.
The bottle feeding station - sterile on top, rinsed but not sterilised beneath. Formula storage stacker behind. Sterile syringes for teething toddler also featured :)
Tips:
Set everything up the night before. ALWAYS be ahead of the game. Always fill and boil the kettle the night before. Boiling water does not cool down quickly!
When feeding using a bottle, mimic how you would breast feed - feed half the bottle on one side, burp them, then turn them to the other side to finish. This will ensure that they don’t favour one side when feeding and helps continue to build muscles in both sides of their neck etc as they alternate.
Hold your baby close - this is a time of bonding. A breast fed baby cannot be held at arm’s length or in a bouncer to feed, so enjoy this time of closeness with your baby! Look them in the eye and let them hold your finger… it’s a precious time.
I only managed to have 2 weeks of breastfeeding before it all came to a sudden end. At this point, we didn’t know where to turn and it felt like the rug had been pulled out from under us… My hope is that this post has been of help to anyone in a state of panic and unsure of what to do.
Your baby is loved and will thrive in your care, being fed.
All the best in your feeding journey!
x