1. Question: I’m choosing to exclusively pump and bottle feed my baby, but all this pumping and feeding – I’m never getting sleep! How am I going to be able to continue pumping 10 times a day?  

Dr. Natasha’s Answer: Exclusively pumping and feeding breast milk is one way that moms choose to feed their babies. During the first few days after baby is born, using the breast pump frequently throughout the day encourages breast milk production. After a mom’s milk is “in,” however, the frequency of pumping session can begin to lessen. Most moms can successfully maintain breast milk supply by pumping every few hours during the day and only once or twice at night. Talk with your pediatrician or lactation consultant if you feel overwhelmed by your feeding routine. The bottom line is that if your feeding plan is not realistic, it will not be sustainable. Knowing the goals for the feeding plan and leaning in to experts can set any mom up for long-term feeding success.

2. Question: My baby only eats when he watches a show on my iPhone. Is that OK?

Dr. Natasha’s Answer: Watching a screen while eating is not good for any person, both babies and adults alike. Babies naturally want to engage with their environments and caregivers during feeding, so it is concerning if baby will only eat when distracted by a screen. If you baby requires this level of distraction to eat, talk with his doctor about a possible medical reason for this behavior.

Distracted eating leads to overeating and sets up unproductive food habit associations that can interfere with a healthy relationship with food. Although it may not be easy, all screens should be off during all meals. Breastfeeding moms should limit screen use when nursing. Rather, take that precious time to talk, sing, and gaze eye-to-eye with baby. As babies begin to bottle feed and take solid foods, the attention should be on the feeding process and caregiver interaction, not a screen. In fact, there is no reason that any infant should be engaging with a screen during their few waking hours. The days of infancy are meant for social and independent play and safe exploration of the world. Don’t interrupt this magic with screens.

3. Question: Nothing soothes my baby, I’ve tried everything. Especially when I bounce him on my knee, he cries even louder!

Dr. Natasha’s Answer: It is ironic that learning how to soothe your baby can be so stressful. Soothing techniques are not intuitive and it can take lots of practice to find ways to help. One of the most overlooked ways to soothe baby is to simply leave him alone. Babies can get fussy when they are overstimulated or constantly interrupted by caregivers; and although it seems that soothing should always involve doing something, sometimes the best way to soothe baby is to simply give him some space. If you find yourself getting frustrated with your baby, it’s OK to just put him on his back in a safe place, dim the lights, start soothing music or a noise machine, and offer a pacifier. The Philips Avent Soothie snuggle is a good choice here so the Soothie pacifier stays near baby’s mouth as he calms. Keep supervision on your baby, but you may be surprised how quickly your baby settles on his own without any intervention at all.

4. Question: My baby used to be a great feeder from the bottle, but all of a sudden it seems like she can’t keep any of the milk in her mouth. What is wrong?

Dr. Natasha’s Answer: Sounds like the nipple flow rate is too fast. Did you change something about the bottle recently? It’s not uncommon for well-established feeders to have trouble when the bottle volume or flow rate changes. Keep in mind, although bottle systems suggest an age range to up-level the nipple flow rate, you don’t have to make that change unless baby is taking longer than twenty minutes to feed. If your baby is feeding and growing well, it is fine to stay the course with your bottle choice. Both the Philips Avent Natural and Philips Avent Anti-Colic bottle systems have replacement nipples with different flow rates which allow you to match the best bottle volume and nipple flow rate for your baby from birth through the first year of life.

5. Question: Every time I feed my baby with the bottle, he pukes everywhere. Will that ever stop?

Dr. Natasha’s Answer: Two common reasons that babies puke after feeds are air and volume. When bottle feeding, babies may swallow extra air. When that air is naturally released, it can result in a very large, wet burp. To avoid swallowing extra air, using a bottle system designed to keep air out of the bottle nipple will help. The Philips Avent Anti-Colic bottle has unique technology – a vent – that keeps air out of the nipple in various feeding positions. Plus, it still has very few parts and is easy to clean.