Alternatives to Breastfeeding for Feeding your Baby
The journey to breastfeeding and caring for your baby differs for each mom. We can all agree, that this a unique journey. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends breast milk and feeding your baby for the first 6 months is the considered the best nutrition for infants, to provide a wide range of minerals, vitamins and immune support. On the flip side, there are moms who are not able to breastfeed their baby for numerous reasons. Yes, in a perfect world breastfeeding should be an easy and natural for all moms.
Did you know there are many factors that can affect a mother’s capability to feed their infant? Some of these reasons are baby being premature, latching or sucking issues, lactation complications, inadequate milk production and supply, non-gestational or adoptive parenting, cracked or painful nipples and other health concerns that can affect a mother’s ability to feed her baby via breastfeeding.
What are the Alternatives?
Breast Pumping – this option allows lactating moms to pump their breastmilk and feed their baby using a bottle, cup or spoon.
Milk Donors – these are considered as milk banks. Women who may have an excess in milk supply donate their milk for free. These donors undergo extensive screening to ensure the milk donated is safe for your baby.
Cross Nursing – think surrogacy for breastfeeding. A nursing mom will breastfeed your baby, with this type of breastfeeding it is also important to ensure extensive screening is done of the surrogate.
Organic Formula – this type of formula is free of chemicals and is made from natural ingredients.
Homemade Formula – this option is made mainly using broth, raw milk, water, extra virgin olive oil, egg yolk, sunflower and other beneficial all natural ingredients.
Baby Formula – there exist a wide variety of baby formulas available. This options involve mixing the formula based on the directions provided on the label and feeding it to your baby, mostly with a bottle at the right temperature.
Syringe or Eyedropper or Finger Feeding – this feeding required a syringe, finger or eyedropper feeding tool being used to feed the baby milk or other supplements. Some moms may use this to improve the baby’s latching or sucking abilities.
There exists a number of alternatives and the decision on which one is selected can only be determine based on what is best for you and your baby.
For the breastfeeding mom, our Humble Bee Nurse Sling or Humble Bee Nursing Pillow may provide you with a better nursing experience to aid in holding your baby in the right position and may give you free hand. To ensure your baby’s milk is always kept at the right temperature we recommend using any of our versatile insulated Humble Bee Diaper Bags and paired with our Humble Bee 'Keep Cool or Warm & Carry On' Reusable Hot & Cold Pack to keep milk warm.