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Successful Infant Feeding - Heather Welford |
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Feeding a baby is a parent's earliest and most important task. Done correctly, it helps a baby grow and thrive physically and emotionally. It also is essential to the wellbeing of the parents because if a baby doesn't thrive or if the process is unsatisfying, parents will be left anxious and distressed.
While breastfeeding is the "normal" way to feed an infant, societal pressures and problems often force mothers into bottlefeeding and the experience becomes less happy and unfulfilling. There is, therefore, a need for information that ensures infants are fed successfully via breast or bottle and in ways that enhance their relationships with their mothers (and fathers, too). The book covers the technical side of feeding and how to manage it in special and more difficult situations, such as with twins and multiples, pre-term babies and while travelling or working. As well as being advised on any safety and preparation issues, parents will be advised about responding to their baby's needs by learning to "read" infant behaviour and adjusting feeds accordingly.
- Ensures that parents make the best decision about how to feed their baby
- Explains how to manage feeding from the breast or bottle so that it is nurturing and emotionally satisfying
- Demonstrates how to overcome difficulties and how to feed away from the home and in special situations
- Details how to reintroduce breastfeeding after formula feeding
- Discusses the experiences and emotions to do with feeding, including a father's essential role, how to respond to being pressurised or undermined in one's feeding choice and how to cope with feelings about using formula,
- Deals with a wide range of parental concerns in its Q and A section
- Provides support for parents and their babies
Heather Welford, MSc is a writer, journalist and editor, specialising in health topics, especially ones related to parenthood. She is the author of several books on infant and child care, including Feeding Your Child. In addition, she works for the National Childbirth Trust, as a volunteer breastfeeding counsellor and as a tutor training other mothers and healthcare professionals in breastfeeding support.
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