Article Source: | Apr 08, 2022
Whether you’re planning to introduce the bottle to your baby for the first time or struggling with bottle refusal, we’ve got you covered with this must-know advice to make the switch easy…
Working moms, we get it that you have more than one full-time job. Taking care of a little one requires you to be on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Add a full-time nine-to-five career that comes with meetings, KPIs, and (ugh) deadlines… and there’s no denying that the pressure for working moms is real.
With Covid-19 restrictions easing and more employees being allowed back to the workplace, you might be heading back to the office yourself soon. This could mean that your little one will need to be bottle-fed during your working hours. And if you’ve yet to introduce the bottle to your little one, or you’re struggling with bottle-feeding, this could fill you with dread. Well, fret not, because we’ve put together the ultimate guide for all busy working moms to make feeding easier and much more manageable! Here are our top tips…
THE BOTTLE-FEEDING TIPS EVERY WORKING MOM NEEDS TO KNOW
Tip #1: Choose the right bottle
Sounds easy, right? But there’s actually a lot more to baby bottles than you’d think. For starters, you’ll need to consider:
- The material the bottle is made from;
- The bottle sizes you need; and
- Your preferred cleaning and sterilising methods.
It goes without saying that the bottle should be made from safe materials, so if you’re opting for the popular choice of plastic bottles, you need to remember that not all plastics are created equal! Look for BPA and BPS-free bottles to protect your baby from exposure to these harmful chemicals. You should also choose a bottle that doesn’t degrade easily. This is especially important if you’re planning to use a UV steriliser, as different types of plastic bottles have different resistances to UV degradation. Finally, it’s always good to have a few bottles of various sizes. Babies grow fast, and their appetites even faster! Your baby’s milk intake will increase over time, so it’s always good to stay prepared with bottles of different sizes.
If you’re searching for a new bottle for your little one that ticks the above (and more), you might want to check out Pigeon’s recently launched SofTouch T-Ester bottles. These bottles are made using newly innovated material exclusive to Pigeon – T-Ester – which has strong resistance to UV degradation. So strong in fact, that when exposed to 100 hours of UV sterilisation, the T-Ester bottles remain unchanged in appearance unlike other bottles. Winner!
And that’s not all. T-Ester material gives Pigeon’s new range glass-like clarity. Not only is this pleasing to the eyes (nothing a mom loves more than clear, clean-looking bottles), but it also makes prep easier as you can clearly see how much milk is needed.
Tip #2: Choose the right nipple
Yep – the bottle’s nipple plays a huge part in getting bottle-feeding right too! The best type of bottle nipple mimics the breast closely, especially if you’re breastfeeding. This will give both you and your baby a seamless transition from breastfeeding to bottle-feeding. You should also look out for nipples that are collapse-resistant. A nipple that collapses easily will affect your baby’s milk intake during feeding, sometimes making them frustrated and upset – something no mom wants.
Pigeon’s hallmark SofTouch nipple comes as standard with all of its bottles and features a wide base made from soft and safe material, allowing your little one to latch and suck easily. Heard horror stories about bottle feeding and gas? The SofTouch nipple has an anti-colic system – an advanced venting system designed to help reduce your baby’s intake of gas during feeding. This saves you, your partner, and your baby’s caregiver a lot of time and heartache. And the icing on the cake? The air valve and inner vertical lines prevent the nipple from collapsing, giving your baby a comfortable, fulfilling (and stress-free) feeding session.
Tip #3: Follow your baby’s cue and trust your gut!
Each baby has different needs and develops differently – and only you know what’s best for your baby. Just because your baby doesn’t take as much milk as other babies the same age doesn’t mean they’re not as healthy as their peers. Bottle-feeding is something that you, your baby, and your baby’s caregiver need to take time to get used to – so don’t rush it! Before returning to the office, spend time understanding your baby’s cues and feeding preferences. Maybe they like to be fed in a dimmed room, or they need white sounds to play in the background – whatever it is, do what you think is best for you and your baby.
It’s a challenging journey ahead, but it’s also a rewarding one.
Both breastfeeding and bottle-feeding come with their own challenges, but both are some of the best times for mom and baby to bond. After a long day at work, there’s nothing more intimate and special than providing your little one with the thing that gives them the most comfort: a feed.
Your bottle-feeding journey may get off on a rocky start initially, but with a great bottle, some confidence, and a bit of time, you’ll soon be able to do it like a pro! Start by finding the right bottle and nipple for you and your baby. You can check out Pigeon’s T-Ester bottles, which are available online and in-stores. Grab yours now or find out more about it on Pigeon’s website.
You got this, momma!
This post is in partnership with Pigeon and HoneykidsAsia
Top 3 bottle-feeding tips every working mum needs to know
