Hooray for Hands-on- Dads! Three cheers for helpful grandparents, relatives and friends!   Hats off to day care providers!  With mom pumping and you giving the baby bottles of breast milk, you're giving your baby the best nutritional start and following The American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation that babies ideally receive breast milk for the first year of life. Not to mention being hands on with your baby and saving both time and money. Pumped breast milk is low cost compared to formula and you can't even compare the quality.   Don't forget that a breast pump is a one time only investment; if you buy formula it can cost you as much as $2000.00 a year.

You definitely want to get to know your baby and understand his cues, especially those associated with hunger.  By 2-3 weeks you will notice that your baby has a number of distinctly different cries like, "I need my diaper changed,"  " I'm tired," "Could someone please hold me?", "I'm hot," "I'm cold," "Something is hurting me," and of course "I'm hungry."  The tricky thing is that crying is actually the last thing your baby will do to let you know that he is hungry.

BE AWARE: Crying is actually a baby's last sign of hunger.

Try not to wait for crying or frantic head movement especially if you aren't in a position to offer the breast STAT to your baby. Crying becomes wailing becomes screaming becomes shrieking becomes an inconsolable baby. Then your blood is boiling and you have trouble thinking clearly. It's all about getting to know your baby and becoming an expert at hunger cues. So watch for the following signs ...if you see them, start getting that bottle ready right away and pretty soon it will all be second nature:

Early hunger signs:

• Lip smacking
• Sucking on lips, tongue, finger, hand, toes, clothing
• Opening and closing mouth

Active hunger signs:

• Rooting
• Fidgeting and fussing
• Getting into nursing position, pulling at your clothing

Is it okay to give the baby both breast and bottle?

Here's the common misconception - once you give a bottle to a baby, you cannot return to the breast. Absolutely not true. You and the baby's mom can tag team, alternating breast milk from the breast and breast milk from the bottle. And if for some reason you end up needing to give formula to the baby for one or two or even more feedings, it does not mean that from then on you have to give formula to the baby. Just keep offering the breast to the baby and keep up the pumping!

Timing

Timing is super important when you are giving a bottle to the baby- hungry babies don't wait. As you've witnessed, milk straight from the breast is a breeze-no heating or thawing or preparation necessary. Make sure you have your scene together so that you can get milk to the baby ASAP. If you are home it's easier than being on the go. At home you can heat milk in a pan of warm water, in the sink under running warm water, or you can purchase a bottle warmer. If you are out on the go with the baby- hiking, walking, driving. you may want to invest in a little cooler and perhapsa portable bottle warmer that can go in the car or the stroller or your baby travel bag so that you can take milk with you and have it ready to go. And try not to wait until your little one is wailing before offering food. Remember crying is your baby's last sign of hunger.  

INFO TIP: "Newborns should be nursed whenever they show signs of hunger, such as increased alertness or activity, mouthing, or rooting. Crying is a late sign of hunger."

The American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement : Breast feeding and the Use of Human Milk (December 1997)

Tips for calming a hungry baby

If your baby has reached her limit, while you are waiting for the milk to warm, here are some things you might try to soothe her:

• Wash your thumb well and place it upside down into your baby's mouth. Let her suck on your thumb until the milk is ready.
• You might also try dabbing a bit of breast milk on your thumb first.
• Swaddle or put her in a sling and rock or walk her.
• Pat her and sing to her.
• Make sure her diaper is dry and she is comfortable and warm enough.