>Dear friends,
>
>I do think that we as IBCLCs are infant (and toddler) feeding
>specialists, for breastfeeding is the human infant norm feeding.
>That being the case I really do think we can counsel on any
>childfeeding question, be it a norm-fed child or otherwise. We may
>not be experts in the finer nuances between different brands and
>types of formulas, but we can read the can labels to know how to
>prepare. But more important to me, we can educate parents about
>getting as close to norm feeding as possible using another type of
>milk than mom's own. We can discuss stomach capacity,
>normal=physiologic feeding and sleeping patters, need for bdsily and
>skin contact (especially in the absence of breastfeeding!), paced
>bottle feeding, drinking techniques that are less of concern for the
>development of the oral cavity, etc.
>All in all, I don't think it an odd ida at all.


Nor do I. I am not an IBCLC, but a breastfeeding counsellor, and I do
talk to mothers about formula feeding....*not* the different brands
or types, usually, and certainly I dont go near oddities like 'which
formula brand is the best?' apart from to explain why this question
cannot be answered.

In addition to the points Gonneke raises, I also point out that
bottles/formula should be given by one main person  - feed times are
*relationship building times* and babies cannot make relationships
with inconsistently-identified carers.  The hormonal, psychological,
emotional links that enhance a baby's social and cognitive
development are supported by the mum being the main giver of
bottles.....I hate to see tiny babies being passed round like a
parcel so every family member can 'have a turn' at feeding on social
occasions, or the baby being handed to someone else to give the
bottle so the mother can get on with some (often boring) household
chore. Parents need to know why this is a bad idea.

Who's going to tell the mother all this stuff? The people who know
about babies, their development, their needs, and who know that
feeding - breast or formula - is *always* more than merely milk
transfer.

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc, tutor, UK
--
http://www.heatherwelford.co.uk

http://heatherwelford.posterous.com

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