Rebornne Baby. American Baby
Rebornne Baby. American Baby
breastfeeding
features
quizzes experts
Breastfeeding is natural, but it
doesn't come naturally to every mom. Find out how to overcome the
most common nursing difficulties, like latch-on problems, nipple
confusion, and engorgement.
features
Returning
to Work After Breastfeeding
Give baby as much
time as possible to adjust to the bottle.
I'm a breastfeeding mother who will be returning to work soon and
would like to wean my baby. When and how should I do it?
The decision
of when to wean your baby is very personal and can be tailored to
your needs. For many mothers the issue is settled by the need to return
to work after maternity leave, while for others the decision rests
on their need for a little more freedom.
Leave yourself--and
baby--plenty of time to get adjusted before you return to work. The
time frame for weaning can vary tremendously, but you should allow
yourself at least two to four weeks. Weaning to a combination of nursing
and bottlefeeding should not be attempted before baby is 3 weeks old.
Also consider
your goals. Do you want your baby to be fed completely from the bottle
once you're back at work, or will your employer allow you to be with
your child for a midday feeding? Will you continue to express milk
to give your child in a bottle, or will you offer formula?
Start by replacing
one nursing session a day with a bottlefeeding one. Your baby may
not like the idea of taking a bottle at first, and it may require
some persistence and gentle coaxing. If she refuses the bottle, try
again at another feeding, or have a family member offer the bottle.
(Baby may smell your milk and prefer being nursed by you.) Some of
her resistance may be objection to a different texture or the quality
of the nipple, or she may miss being close to you. Usually more skin-to-skin
contact or gentle stroking is all that's needed to provide that extra
degree of reassurance.
Your
should know:
The
information on this Web site is designed for educational purposes
only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical
advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose
or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your
pediatrician or family doctor. Please consult a doctor with any
questions or concerns you might have regarding your or your child's
condition.
