Friday Parenting Myth #10 -Our Free App is Here!

Top Parenting Myths we hear around the office

Myth: Bottle-fed Babies have a Weaker Maternal Bond.

There is a huge amount of enthusiasm for breastfeeding and expectant mothers are surrounded by friends who promote the practice. Although breastfeeding is a wonderful practice, some mothers are unable to breastfeed. Adoptive parents, mothers on certain medications, and mothers of children with certain medical conditions cannot breastfeed. These mothers may feel a tremendous amount of guilt because they are bottle feeding. However, bottle feeding can be a wonderful experience too! Parents experience genuine warmth and emotional connection while bottle feeding and their relationships with their children are just as loving as breastfed children. In fact, other family members who are able to participate in infant feeding with a bottle express the same sentiments! Remember, this method of feeding is only one choice among many choices that parents make. Parents will bond with their child over playing, bathing, soothing, dressing and so forth.

-Daniel Weissbluth

"Initial Differences in Postpartum Attachment Behavior in Breastfeeding and Bottle-feeding Mothers" (1988) Martone, DJ, Nash BR. Journal Obstetrics and Gynecology and Neonatal Nursing. June: 17;3 212-213.

Filed under: Common Myths