Baby-led bottle-feeding: The Key to problem-free feeding eBook

Feeding a healthy baby is meant to be an enjoyable experience, and indeed it can be. However, for many parents, it can be filled with uncertainty and self-doubt. During my career, I have witnessed so much suffering related to infant feeding problems (breast, bottle and solids). Babies become so distressed at feeding times, that they choose to go hungry rather than eat. Others are unknowingly prevented from accessing the milk due to equipment and feeding position problems. Feeding battles between parents and their babies (and children) may persist for months or years. Parents may suffer extreme anxiety or depression caused by dealing with prolonged, unresolved infant feeding problems.

In most instances the baby’s and parent’s suffering could have been avoided. It occurred because of lack of knowledge—their own and that of the healthcare professionals they consulted—related to the reasons and solutions to behavioral bottle-feeding problems. (“Behavioral” meaning the baby’s feeding difficulties are linked to the parent’s infant feeding practices).

Far too many health professionals and baby care educators advise parents to employ parent-led feeding practices, which have the potential to cause infant feeding problems. When problems develop, infant crying, fussy and avoidant feeding behavior, poor growth or gastrointestinal symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to a physical problem or medical condition.

After such a long career, I have no doubt that baby-led feeding—whether this be bottle-feeding, breastfeeding or when eating solid foods—is the best option for physically well, normally developing babies. Years of experience specializing in educating parents have confirmed that baby-led feeding is the most effective way to prevent and resolve problems.

So much of what I have learned about baby-led bottle-feeding, and share in this book, is not yet taught to parents in maternity hospitals, or during well-baby health checks. My feeding recommendations differ from parent-led feeding practices (the dominant style taught to parents, childcare workers, doctors, midwives, nurses, and other health professionals to this day).

I wrote this book because I want you to know the reasons behind, and solutions to behavioral feeding problems, so that you can appreciate that enjoyable feeding is in your hands. My goal is to empower you to avoid, or at least quickly resolve, any feeding problem, and embrace this precious time with your baby.