What do you need to know about bottle feeding? We discuss bottle feeding basics, bottle safety, formula guidelines, how to get a breastfed baby to take a bottle and more!

Mom is pumping with baby lying near her, exclusive pumping

Exclusive Pumping Tips & Sample Pumping Schedules

By Christie Collbran | November 3, 2024

Are you in your pumping era? Looking for more information about exclusive pumping and what that means for you as you return to work?  There are many reasons that parents feed their babies by exclusively pumping breast milk.  Maybe you chose it, or maybe it chose you.  Either way… If you’re returning to work soon… you…

newborn crying with gas, gassy newborn

Why Is My Newborn So Gassy? 10 Expert Doula Tips

By Christie Collbran | May 27, 2024

You might be wondering why your baby is struggling with gas. Digesting food is a new skill for your baby’s body to learn. Being immature and new, your baby’s digestive system needs time to adjust  Whether they are eating from the breast or bottle, their little tummies are still sorting out this new “eating arrangement.”…

Baby Eating in his highchair, Tips for Weaning from Breastfeeding

Feeling Emotional About Weaning? 3 Tips to Start Your Breastfeeding Weaning Plan

By Christie Collbran | March 25, 2024

You’ve worked long and hard to breastfeed your baby. For some, breastfeeding comes easy, while for others, not so much. After you manage to connect all the dots, breastfeeding still takes a large portion of your day. It takes time and energy to connect and learn your baby’s rhythm. As your baby grows and no…

Baby Hunger Cues, Baby with mouth open showing she is hungry

Hunger Cues | How To Tell Your Baby is Hungry

By Christie Collbran | November 6, 2023

Why is it important to know your baby’s hunger cues?  Understanding your baby’s signals helps you know when and how often to feed her. Newborn babies have tiny tummies and need to eat often. An average of 8 – 12 feedings in a 24 hour period is expected and necessary. A couple of those feedings…

Breast-milk-and-formula-storage-guidelines

Breast Milk Storage Guidelines and Formula Storage Guidelines

By Christie Collbran | September 27, 2021

Did you know the American Academy of Pediatrics recently updated its guidelines for storage of breast milk? You can count on your team of postpartum doulas and lactation counselors here at Buddha Belly to always keep you up to date with the latest breast milk and formula storage guidelines. We love that the guidance starts…

infant-feeding-schedule

Infant Feeding Schedule ~ How Often My Baby Needs to Eat & How Much

By Christie Collbran | August 15, 2021

If you are the parent of a newborn, you’ve likely heard this question from the pediatrician or others: how many times a day is your baby feeding? I remember when I had my first baby, I answered, “A million?” It certainly felt like my newborn didn’t do anything other than eat, sleep and fill her…

helping-baby-accept-a-bottle

Helping Baby Accept a Bottle

By Christie Collbran | April 11, 2021

It’s a bit of a terrifying scenario for breastfeeding parents who are returning to paid work: your baby refuses to feed from a bottle. Everyone panics. Your caregiver is nervous about how they will take care of your baby while you’re away. You are scared about your baby getting the nutrition and hydration that she…

best-baby-formula

What’s the Best Formula for My Baby?

By Christie Collbran | November 25, 2020

We are often asked, as lactation counselors, what formula is best for my baby?  (Yes lactation counselors are experts in ALL modes of infant feeding, not just breastfeeding.) This also comes up when we are supporting families as postpartum doulas. For us, the best baby formula should follow three simple rules. As a reminder, we…

exclusive-pumping

Exclusive Pumping 101

By Christie Collbran | August 19, 2020

Breastfeeding: the most natural thing on the planet, according to many loud opinions on the internet. Right? What happens when breastfeeding proves to be a challenge? Some families turn to exclusive pumping as a means to feed their babies. Can we tell you a little secret? It’s still breastfeeding. You are providing your baby with…

newborn and infant bottle-feeding in hospital after birth

Newborn and Infant Bottle-Feeding | Formula Fed Babies

By Christie Collbran | November 11, 2019

Newborn and Infant bottle-feeding can be daunting! Feeding their newborn is one of the first things in most new parents’ minds, right behind a birth plan! No matter which option is chosen, most parents need to use a bottle at some point. From leaving baby with a caregiver to get a well-deserved break to letting…

bottle-feeding

There’s No Perfect Bottle for Your Baby

By Christie Collbran | October 9, 2019

Have you been searching for the perfect bottle for your baby? Some babies take right to bottle feeding with no problems. Some babies have a bit harder of a time with bottle feeding. Marketing and commerce have convinced us that there is a perfect bottle out there and if we only spend $653 trying all…