Trying to Master Baby Feeding at 10 Weeks
Navigating Bottles, Breastfeeding, and Everything In Between
I can’t believe that this week marks 10 weeks of having our little guy at home. He has already doubled in size since we brought him back from the hospital, and with my in-laws back with us from India, it’s been an incredible journey I wouldn’t change for anything. Seeing him make eye contact and smile when he hears mom or dad talking to him is absolutely breathtaking.
This week, our focus has been on establishing a good schedule for his growth. As we’ve discussed in previous weeks, babies thrive on routines, but they also seem to change their own schedules almost daily.
Breastfeeding can be challenging, especially when it comes to knowing if the baby is getting enough to eat, which is a common concern for moms. While the human body is remarkable and a mom’s body will always do what’s right for the child, it doesn’t stop the mind from playing tricks on you. Our neighbor mentioned she switched to strictly bottle-feeding breast milk due to these uncertainties. It's definitely something to consider, but like with any challenge, understanding limits and trusting that your body knows what to do is key.
Taking care of myself has also been a key focus this week. I’m trying to get more physically active to hopefully avoid the dad bod so soon after my little one’s arrival. This effort will also help improve some of the health scores from my last physical, which I know could be better. Most importantly, I want to ensure I’m here for my son, both physically and mentally. Maintaining good health is essential not only for my well-being but also to be able to do the things I want to do with him in the future.
Reading for the week:
This week's reading is a classic, in my opinion, and one of my favorite books gifted by the hospital where our son was born. This week's book is “Are You My Mother?” by P. D. Eastman.
Amazon link to “Are You My Mother?” by P. D. Eastman
This book follows a young bird who falls out of his nest and searches for his mother, asking various creatures if they are his mother. Not only is this a book I grew up reading, but it also highlights the unique bond between a mother and her child. While partners play an important role and I cherish my relationship with my son, there are simply some things only my partner can do for him, making their bond truly special.
Bonus for you:
This week, I wanted to share a valuable resource for understanding feeding levels for children. As we discussed earlier, this is a topic every parent thinks about. We've used the resource below to help establish minimum feeding requirements for our bundle of joy.
As always, please consult a pediatrician, as every child is unique and may have different needs.
Question of the Week:
This week's question focuses on feeding routines. How often are you feeding your child? Do you prefer bottle feeding or breastfeeding? Have you started introducing solids yet? If you don't have kids, what are your favorite foods? Any good recipes to share? Let's discuss!
