By Robin OBrien

After years of planning and nine months of waiting, the much wanted and loved baby arrives. The sense of joy that parents can feel at the birth of the child can only be truly appreciated by other parents. Many parents, especially the mother, look forward to the responsibility of caring for a baby. The degree of dependence of a baby on its mother is unmatched. The mother quite often enjoys being totally depended on and doesnt resent the mundane tasks of feeding, changing diapers, bathing and entertaining her child. The long-term rewards are evident to any parent with grown up kids.

However, there does come a point when a mother will feel totally enslaved by her baby. This enslavement is a natural feeling and can is usually accepted. Accepted that is except for breastfeeding.

Unlike all the other tasks that a new mother has to undertake in caring for her child, breastfeeding also requires a physical bond between mother and child. And some mothers can begin to resent this type of enslavement. In fact, some mothers can find themselves feeling slightly antagonistic when their baby demands mommys breasts. This feeling can be further exacerbated if the mother is suffering from sore or cracked nipples. Telling a mother that she is not getting the baby to latch on properly can leave her feeling a failure and lonely. Getting a sense of independence can often help mothers who feel like this. Bottle feeding a child, rather than breastfeeding, can help some mothers to get some degree of independence and take away the strain felt at feeding times.

When a mother bottle-feeds, the physical bond still remains. The mother can still cuddle and talk to her child as she feeds. But the sense of physical enslavement disappears - along with any discomfort the mother may have experienced. The child still gets the attention it wants and, despite what some may tell you, the nutrition is needs. When a mother is liberated from her physical enslavement she relaxes and enjoys feeding her child. Her child will also relax more if mommy is also relaxed.

Not all mothers want to be liberated. Some are quite content to breastfeed their chid and feel no sense of physical enslavement. But, if youre a mother who feels enslaved and yearns to be liberated, then maybe you could try bottle-feeding. There may be those around you who will try to convince you to stay breastfeeding. If they give you the support you need, maybe you will stay breastfeeding. But if you still feel enslaved maybe its time to find liberation through the bottle.

Robin OBrien is a successfully webmaster and founder of bottle feeding baby, where he provides help, support and advice on bottle feeding.

By Robin OBrien

Choosing to bottle feed your baby can be a hard decision to make. You need to think deeply about why you believe it's best to bottle feed rather than breastfeed your child. Having made your decision to bottle feed, you should also think about the type of formula milk that's best for your baby.

Formula milk comes in 3 forms: ready-made, concentrate and powder. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Ready made milk formula is the easiest to use; all you need to do is open the container and feed your baby its contents. The main disadvantage with ready-made formula is it is the most expensive option, so if you're trying to save pennies it may not be the best choice. Formula concentrate is cheaper than ready-made, but you do have to add boiled water. The cheapest and most widely used form of formula milk is powdered formula. As well as having the advantage of being cheap, it is also the easiest to store. Both ready-made and concentrate need to be stored in the fridge whereas you only need to stored formula made from powder, after it has been mixed with water.

As you'll soon discover, you need to be prepared when you travel with your baby. You need to take along everything you need to prepare your child's formula. If you're planning on staying somewhere away from home, you need to think about: will where you're staying have a fridge? Will it have facilities to provide you with boiled water if you're using concentrate or powder? What about cleaning facilities? Can you plug in your bottle sterilizer? Even if you are using concentrate or powder (and trying to save pennies) I would strongly recommend buying some ready-made baby formula and keeping it stored in the fridge. You can then use it as a standby for when you need to make a trip out somewhere.

As well as coming in three forms, baby formula comes in different types: the main ones being cow's milk and soybean. In addition to these basic formula types, you can also find lactose free formula, formula supplemented with DHA and ARA, and formula for preemies.

By far the most popular and probably the best for your child is baby formula made from cow's milk. Choosing the right brand is a personal choice. All brands now sold in Western countries will meet their government's guidelines. However, different brands will contain different levels of sugar and protein. All baby milk formulas are fortified with iron and Vitamin D (these can be lacking in breast milk) and contain lactose (milk sugar). Brands such as Similac Advance, Enfamil Lipil, and Nestle Good Start Supreme are made with lactose and cow's milk based proteins.

Soy based formula is now becoming more popular. Unlike cow's milk it does not contain lactose. If your child has lactose intolerance then soy formula milk may be right for your child. Brands include Enfamil ProSobee, Similac Isomil, and Nestle Good Start Supreme Soy. There has been some controversy as to whether soy protein can cause long term health implications to babies who are fed soy-based formula. However, a recent study, led by Dr Brian L. Strom from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, showed no difference in the long-term health effects of soy infant formula and those based on cow's milk. But if you have any doubts then stick with baby formula milk that is made from cow's milk.
Goat's milk is gaining in popularity and some feel it is better for baby and the environment. Using goat's milk is probably fine; however, goat's milk does only contain around 10%25 of the folic acid that is found in cow's milk. So, if you are planning to use goat's milk, find a brand that has been fortified with folic acid. On the plus side, goat's milk formula does contain far higher levels of copper and antioxidant selenium. Some also believe that babies have a lactose intolerance will do better by switching from cow's to goat's milk. Whilst it is true that Goats milk does contain lower levels of lactose, if your child is lactose-intolerant then you are probably best switching to soy based formula or a lactose free formula of cow's milk.

Lactose free formulas, such as Lactofree and Similac Lactose free are made without lactose, but do have cow's milk proteins in them. Babies are not usually thought to be born with lactose intolerance, so these formulas are usually not needed. If your child is experiencing problems with cow's formula, seek professional advice before switching to a lactose free formula or soy-based formula.
Other infant formulas include Enfamil AR (anti regurgitation), which is thought to be helpful for infants with reflux and premature formulas, such as Similac Special Care and Enfamil Premature. Again, you probably should never need to buy this type of formula as your baby's reflux is probably being caused by something else. Again, speak to your doctor before switching to this type of formula.
Very recently, new infant formulas have been introduced that are supplemented with DHA and ARA, which are found in breast milk and are thought to help with an baby's development. Brands of these supplemented formula include Enfamil Lipil, Similac Advance, and Nestle Good Start Supreme DHA %26 ARA. Talk to your doctor about these and what benefits, if any, they could offer your child.
Having read the above it is hoped that choosing the best baby milk formula for your child has been made easier. If you have any doubts or further questions talk to your paediatrician, they will be able to give you more information about all aspects of bottle-feeding your baby.

Robin O'Brien is founder of a bottle feeding website where you can get advice about which baby formula to use.

By Robin OBrien

Caring for a newborn child is a full time job. A human baby is more helpless than just about all other mammals and the degree of care needed by both parents is extremely high, especially the child's mother. A new mother can feel enslaved by her child. She may love her child but she always wants - and needs - some degree of independence. Bootle feeding can help.

After years of planning and nine months of waiting, the much wanted and loved baby arrives. The sense of joy that parents can feel at the birth of the child can only be truly appreciated by other parents. Many parents, especially the mother, look forward to the responsibility of caring for a baby. The degree of dependence of a baby on its mother is unmatched. The mother quite often enjoys being totally depended on and doesn't resent the mundane tasks of feeding, changing diapers, bathing and entertaining her child. The long-term rewards are evident to any parent with grown up kids.

However, there does come a point when a mother will feel totally enslaved by her baby. This enslavement is a natural feeling and can is usually accepted. Accepted that is except for breastfeeding.

Unlike all the other tasks that a new mother has to undertake in caring for her child, breastfeeding also requires a physical bond between mother and child. And some mothers can begin to resent this type of enslavement. In fact, some mothers can find themselves feeling slightly antagonistic when their baby demands mommy's breasts. This feeling can be further exacerbated if the mother is suffering from sore or cracked nipples. Telling a mother that 'she is not getting the baby to latch on properly' can leave her feeling a failure and lonely. Getting a sense of independence can often help mothers who feel like this. Bottle feeding a child, rather than breastfeeding, can help some mothers to get some degree of independence and take away the strain felt at feeding times.

When a mother bottle-feeds, the physical bond still remains. The mother can still cuddle and talk to her child as she feeds. But the sense of physical enslavement disappears - along with any discomfort the mother may have experienced. The child still gets the attention it wants and, despite what some may tell you, the nutrition is needs. When a mother is liberated from her physical enslavement she relaxes and enjoys feeding her child. Her child will also relax more if mommy is also relaxed.

Not all mothers want to be liberated. Some are quite content to breastfeed their chid and feel no sense of physical enslavement. But, if you're a mother who feels enslaved and yearns to be liberated, then maybe you could try bottle-feeding. There may be those around you who will try to convince you to stay breastfeeding. If they give you the support you need, maybe you will stay breastfeeding. But if you still feel enslaved maybe it's time to find liberation through the bottle.

Robin O'Brien is a successfully webmaster and founder of bottle feeding baby, where he provides help, support and advice on bottle feeding.

By Robin O'Brien All new mothers are advised to breastfeed. We're told that breast milk is best and that there are so many benefits to breastfeeding. So, is bottle feeding second best? Are there no advantages to bottle feeding your baby?
Many mothers today are made to feel guilty about bottle feeding their baby. The medical profession, the media, family, strangers in the street, all eulogize the benefits of breastfeeding. We're told; it's natural; it has just the right nutrients for your baby; it promotes better bonding between mother and child; it's environmentally friendly! All of these things are true to an extent but the plain fact is, many mothers do not breastfeed their child and many are made to feel like a pariah if they opt for the bottle. Promoting breastfeeding as being best is fine, but disparaging mothers who bottle feed is not.
If you are a mother who has chosen not to breastfeed, and who can't breastfeed, you must never, ever feel guilty about doing so. Today's baby milk formula is the closest it has ever been to breast milk. It also comes fortified with many nutrients that are low or absent in many mother's breast milk. Formula milk is fortified with iron and vitamin D. Fact: Iron-fortified infant formulas have actually been credited for the declining incidence of anemia in infants. For this reason, the American Academy of Pediatrics highly recommends that mothers who are not breastfeeding use an iron-fortified infant formula. So, as far as nutrition goes, a mother need have no worries about giving her baby milk formula.
Being a mother is very tiring. Infant formula milk is not as easily digested as mother's milk. Consequently, the baby feels satiated for longer periods and this extends the time between feedings at an earlier stage. So a mother who bottle feeds can get more rest between feeds than a mother who breastfeeds.
One major cause of concern for breastfeeding mothers is knowing whether or not her baby is getting enough milk. Not so with infant formula. A mother who bottle feeds her baby knows exactly how much she has fed her child and can rest easy knowing her child has received its recommended daily allowance.
A mother who bottle feeds her child can return to a more normal life than a mother who breastfeeds. A mother who bottle feeds can wear the clothes she wants; a nursing mother has to wear clothes to accommodate her hungry baby. A mother who bottle feeds can eat the diet she chooses and not have to worry about drinking alcohol; a breastfeeding mother's diet is a much duller affair. Bottle feeding mothers can take medication when the need to; a breastfeeding mother has to be very careful about any medication she takes as this will be passed on to baby through her breast milk, in fact some medication may even stop her milk production.
Lovemaking is sometimes not easy for the breastfeeding woman because the hormonal changes associated with lactation leaves her vagina dry. In addition, breastfeeding can lead to sore nipples and leaky breasts, which are not conducive to lovemaking. A bottle feeding mother should not have these problems. She also has the added benefit of being able to choose the contraception of her choice. A breastfeeding mother cannot take the oral pill as its hormones will be passed on to baby through her breast milk.
A mother who bottle feeds her child can begin to diet six weeks after delivery. A breastfeeding mother on the other hand, has to be careful about her diet.
Bottle feeding in public tends to be far less embarrassing for a mother than does breastfeeding. A consequence is that many mothers who choose to bottle feed generally venture outdoors much more than those who breastfeeding; society has not made public breastfeeding easy for mothers.
So, next time you may feel as though you're letting yourself and baby down, remember that they are many advantages to giving your baby infant formula, for both mother and child.

Robin O'Brien is a successfully webmaster and founder of www.bottle-feeding-baby.com where he provides help, support and advice on bottle feeding your baby.

By Robin OBrien

The presence of thrush in a baby's mouth can be painful for the baby and very upsetting for parents. Babies who are bottle-fed are more likely to develop thrush than those who are exclusively breastfeed. However, steps can be taken to lessen the risk of thrush developing, and treatment is quite easy.

Thrush, or oral pseudomembranous candidiasis, is a superficial yeast infection that is found in about 5%25 of healthy newborns. Babies usually acquire the yeast from their mothers during passage through the birth canal. You can tell whether or not your child has thrush by looking out for the telltale white patches that can be found of the inside of the cheeks, lips, palate and tongue. Many mothers who bottle-feed their baby often mistake milk residue found on the tongue for thrush. If the tongue is uniformly white, this isn't thrush. The patches of thrush are often described as curd-like. Unlike milk residue, they adhere to the underlying tissue. You can also, test for thrush, by gently touching a patch with a gauze-covered finger. If it is thrush, it probably won't come off very easily, but if it does, you'll find a raw, red area underneath that may bleed. Thrush lesions can be painful and when bottle-fed a child can become fussy and squirm.

Why are bottle-fed babies more susceptible to thrush?

Many babies have thrush, but it is a self-limited condition; it goes away all by itself, without anyone ever knowing the baby had thrush in the first place. However, certain changes in baby or its environment can cause the thrush to be exacerbated. Antibiotics or stress can be to blame. Bottle-feeding often causes thrush because the lining of the mouth becomes abraded with prolonged sucking, such as babies who sleep with a bottle or pacifier - babies who are breastfed don't go to sleep at night still sucking at their mother's breast, unfortunately, many bottle-fed babies do go to sleep sucking on a bottle. Also, dirty nipples and pacifiers can harbour the yeast infection.

How to treat thrush?

First off, prevention is better than cure. Babies should not be put to bed while still sucking the nipple of a bottle. Avoid letting your child suck on a pacifier for long periods of time. Make sure all nipples and pacifiers are washed thoroughly and sterilized.

In most case thrush will disappear all by itself and the only treatment required is to alleviate oral discomfort or to treat (or prevent) painful yeast diaper rashes. You can use an antifungal medicine such as Nystatin suspension. This can be applied, directly to the plaques with a cotton-tipped applicator, or given orally 1-2ml four times daily. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions. An old-fashioned, and still affective treatment of baby thrush is baking soda. Use a cotton-tipped bud dipped into a mixture of one-fourth teaspoon of baking soda and one or two drops of mild liquid detergent (without ammonia or bleach) mixed in a glass of warm water. Apply the mixture gently to the affected areas.

If symptoms persist or you have any concerns, seek medical help.

Babies who fuss during bottle-feeding, can do so for many reasons. If your baby is fussy when being fed formula, it's worth checking to see if your child has thrush. If your child does have thrush, you need not change milk formula. Just apply a treatment as described above and the thrush should disappear in a matter of weeks.

Robin O'Brien is founder of Baby Bottle Feeding. It offers advice on what is the best infant formula and bottle feeding and thrush.

By Robin OBrien

In every doctor's surgery and hospital reception the walls are plastered with breastfeeding advice. What you don't often see are best practice guidelines for mothers who choose to bottle feed their baby. So, to rectify this, here are a few pointers.

Don't let your baby's crying be the cue to begin feeding. If your baby's upset before you begin bottle-feeding then she may well fuss during her feed. Breastfeeding mothers are told to breastfeed frequently and the same advice applies to bottle-feeding. One important point to remember though is that formula milk takes about four hours to digest compared to two hours for breast milk, so the interval between feeds should be longer for bottle-feeding.

A newborn baby will take up to about 85ml (3fl oz) per feed. As she grows older the amount of feed will increase as will the period between feeds. Babies know when they've had enough so don't worry if your baby hasn't finished all the milk. Discard any milk left in the bottle; never, ever attempt to feed this to your baby later on. Formula milk that is left sitting is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. If you baby still appears hungry after emptying the bottle, offer her more milk. You won't overfeed your baby.

The best way to hold a baby for bottle-feeding is straightforward. You hold the baby as you would for breastfeeding but in a slightly more upright position to make it easier for her to swallow and to prevent formula from spilling and running into her nostrils and ears.

Don't just put the nipple of the bottle straight into baby's mouth. Rather, gently rub your baby's cheek and lips with the nipple, just as breastfeeding mothers are advised. This gently rubbing stimulates your baby's 'rooting reflex'.

You can reduce the amount of air your baby consumes by tilting the bottle to ensure that the nipple contains only milk. Wind is uncomfortable for babies and, after a feed, they'll let you know all about their discomfort. It's usually best to avoid baby wind, for both mother and child!

Take your time and allow your baby to pause from time to time. It is quite normal for babies to stop drinking for a while before continuing. As they grow older they can also have a tendency to loose concentration and to look about them instead of feeding. Therefore, before you feed your baby, make your surroundings as peaceful and relaxing as possible. If you're feeling uncomfortable during the feed, then change positions. Remember, if you're uncomfortable or distracted during a feed so will your baby.

Feeding isn't just about giving your baby nourishment; it's also about giving comfort. Hold your baby close to you and maintain as much skin contact as you can. During the feed, stroke, caress, talk and keep eye contact with her, and above all, smile.

Feeding a baby is a special time for both mother and child. It can be a relaxing and comforting experience for both. To ensure that it is, follow the points above, and most importantly, follow your baby's lead; they often know better than we do what is the best way of doing things.

Robin O'Brien is founder a site that helps mothers who may have baby bottle tooth decay. Everything, from choosing the right infant formula, through to the advantages that bottle feeding.

By Robin OBrien

Breastfeeding mothers can have many problems but one thing they don't have to think about is keeping their milk clean and germ-free. Bottle feeding mothers don't have this luxury. Cleanliness is paramount when bottle feeding your baby.

If you've decided to bottle feed your child then you must first acquire the correct equipment. First on your list should be an adequate bottle sterilizer. There are several different types to choose from. The cheapest option available is to buy a bottle sterilizer that works by placing it in a microwave. Their big advantage is cheapness, but they do have a couple of drawbacks; first you must thoroughly clean your microwave after cooking spicy food. Secondly, portability can be problematic. A more expensive option is to purchase an electric bottle sterilizer. You simply wash your baby's bottle and then place them into a plastic tray, which is then placed into the sterilizer. This is the best way to sterilize your baby's milk bottles, however, be sure to place only the amount of water into the sterilizer as specified by the manufacturers - don't put more than is recommended. Finally, you can purchase an electric/microwave combination. Basically, this means you can place the interior tray into a microwave rather than using the electric unit. Whichever type you purchase, don't forget to wash it occasionally.

Ensure that you wash your baby's bottles correctly. Use a bottle washer especially made for cleaning babies bottles. Wash bottles in warm soapy water and use salt to clean the teats. Make sure use rinse thoroughly after cleaning. Never sterilize your baby's bottles with the teat or caps left on.

Germs require 3 things to thrive; water, sugar and warmth. Infant formula can provide ideal conditions for germs to breed. Always make infant formula just before you need to and discard any that is left over after feeding. Never give your baby milk that was made for a previous feed; would you like to drink milk that has been left standing for hours in a warm room? Also, when travelling, never make formula in advance. It is better to take hot water and mix the milk powder just before feeding. It might be worthwhile buying ready-to-use for long distance trips.

Never share your baby's bottle with another infant, even with other siblings. Sharing is the surest way to spread germs from one baby to another. Make sure your own hands are clean before you prepare your baby's formula.

Take care of your baby's teeth. Bottle feeding tooth decay is a real risk. Infant formula usually contains more sugar that breast milk. You should never put baby to bed with a bottle, which the baby can suck on for hours. The sugary liquid flows over the baby's upper front teeth and dissolves the enamel, causing decay that can lead to infection. The longer the practice continues the more damage to the baby's teeth and mouth. Treatment is very expensive.

Bottle feeding will provide your child with all the nutrients it needs. By following the guidelines above, you can also ensure that bottle feeding is as germ-free and safe as breastfeeding.

Robin O'Brien is founder of Baby Bottle Feeding. It offers advice on all aspects of bottle feeding, including what is the best infant formula and bottle feeding tooth decay.