3 Essential Bottle Feeding Tips for Dads

As a Dad, feeding your new baby is one of the most important things you can do if given the chance. It's a great way to bond; can give Mummy a well earned break and make you feel like you're of some use at a frustrating time on your parenthood journey. if your baby is being formula fed then you will get ample opportunity to do your bit, but even if Mummy is breast feeding, remember you still have the option to bottle feed expressed milk from time to time. It's a fantastic feeling when your baby is settled and happily sucking away at the bottle in your hand as you hold them close and the two of you gaze into eachothers eyes. It feels awfully satisfying when you hear that magical squeak as the bottle gets finished. If that wasn't enough, you'll feel like superparent when you manage to wind your baby and they settle down to enjoy their milk coma thanks to all your hard work. Of course, it doesn't always work out as easy as that  but having negotiated a pair of newborns in as many years, I'm going to be brave enough to offer my advice to help your feeding duties pass as smoothly as possible. Here's my top 3 tips;

Be Confident:

You might have never bottle fed a baby in your life before. You might feel clueless, nervous and full of anxiety as you take charge of something which doesn't come natural to most men (nature didn't intend it after all). But your baby doesn't know that you've never done it before. What they will feel though, is all of that anxiety and tension and that could make the feed a difficult one. Be confident and at ease. You're the Daddy! You got this! You're going to play an important part in your childs life as a primary caregiver so don't fall down at the first hurdle. You'll both benefit.

Have Everything To Hand:

Once a baby starts to feed well, you don't want to stop them until they're ready - it can be difficult to get them going again. Make sure you have your bib, burp cloth, feeding pillow and anything else you might need within easy reach. Similarly, make sure you're comfortable before pushing the bottle into their rooting mouth. If they're happily sluriping away but you decided to be hunched over and twisted into a pretzel shape then that's how you're going to stay. Your comfort isn't worth ruining the feed for. 

Don't Force The Entire Bottle On Them:

Just because the books say they should be eating x amount at x weeks old, doesn't mean that's the amount they will eat in one sitting every single time. Sometimes your baby will still be hungry after guzzling down every last drop and you'll find yourself reaching for more milk. Other times, they'll manage less than half a bottle and be done. Sometimes they'll have half, burp and come back for more. Just be careful not to keep forcing milk down their throat. It will only result in you wearing the regurgitated version, an upset baby and a more stressed household.

If you get the chance to help with feeding your baby, don't avoid it. Embrace it. A good Dad is one that's involved in all aspects of their childs life and there's no better time to start practicing that ethos than day one. Bottle feeding your child is a perfect way to be involved, and to start building that bond that will last a lifetime. It's also a great opportunity (if timed right) to have them drift into a milk induced slumber in your arms, be adamant that you can't move for fear of awakening a monster and have no choice but to stay with your feet up watching the game!

Note: I am working alongside the Daddy Cool Project and was asked to write to the given title used for this post. I received nothing in return for publishing the post, but did so because the cause they're fighting for and the ethos they live by is one worth supporting. Visit them here.