Mums who bottle feed their babies are not getting the information and support they need to do this safely.<\/p>\n
The huge emphasis behind the pro-breastfeeding and health campaigns are failing to acknowledge that even mums who predominately breastfeed do still give their babies some formula milk during their first year of life.<\/p>\n
The research published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood, shows that most research carried out on bottle feeding looks at the reasons why mothers choose this method. This is done in a bid to come up with new ways to promote breastfeeding rather than inform bottle feeding mothers the safest way to prepare formula feed.<\/p>\n
Some mothers who bottle fed their babies either because they could not breastfeed or because it was their preference, frequently experienced a range of negative emotions.<\/p>\n
Guilt and worry about the impact of bottle feeding their baby and what judgements healthcare professionals may have about their choice was a cause of stress.<\/p>\n
The frequency and quantities a baby would need was also a source of worry as mothers felt ill informed.<\/p>\n
Making mistakes in preparing bottles was common. Not preparing it properly could also boost the risk of infection and cause excessive weight gain.<\/p>\n
Bottle feeding mothers also claimed that hospital midwives spent more time with breastfeeding mothers than bottle feeding mums.<\/p>\n
Research also showed that some mothers felt \u201crelieved\u201d making the switch from breast to bottle as it made things easier with their baby getting enough feed.<\/p>\n
The research also indicated that some mothers felt \u201crelieved\u201d when they started bottle feeding, either because it made things easier or that their baby was now getting enough feed.<\/p>\n
The authors emphasise that it is important to promote breastfeeding, as the evidence shows that this is the best way of ensuring optimal health for mother and baby.<\/p>\n
Author Dr Rajalakshmi Lakshman\u00a0 said: \u201cIt is also necessary to ensure that the needs of bottle feeding mothers are met … Inadequate information and support for mothers who decide to bottle feed may put the health of their babies at risk.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chopsy Baby editor, Jen Smith says: \u201cThere is an army of militant mothers out there who genuinely believe that bottle feeding mothers are \u201cevil\u201d. They will say that giving a baby formula feed is as bad as giving babies fast food chips. This ridiculous and selfish approach to new mums which has been observed by some midwives at such a vulnerable time is at best unhelpful. Mothers can make heroic attempts to breastfeed. If they just can’t get it going should they let a baby starve? No they shouldn’t so support and information is needed to make sure these mums are doing it correctly. It should not be a dirty secret.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Mums who bottle feed their babies are not getting the information and support they need to do this safely. The<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"colormag_page_container_layout":"default_layout","colormag_page_sidebar_layout":"default_layout","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3300","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bristol-news"],"yoast_head":"\n