It’s difficult when you’re unable to feed your baby. Whether it’s day care, babysitters or some help from friends and family during date night, here are some tips to stick to baby’s routine and create a smooth transition:
Familiarise yourself with your day care:
Day cares are often accommodating to a parent’s request. Ask them if they have a policy on bringing food from home for meal times and let them know if baby has any allergies.
Be open and give direction:
Communication is important. Let your caregiver know of any requirements and they will do their best to accommodate to baby’s needs. Quick tip: to check if Baby is eating enough, ask the caregivers to save the leftovers and you can check for yourself.
Keep an open mind:
Sometimes your caregivers may give baby something on the unhealthy side. If it’s a one-off, consider letting it go - they often have a good intention (for example giving sugar water for teething). If it’s a recurring issue, try have a conversation about how important it is to you and baby to stick to their meal plans.
Playdates:
Playdates are a fun time for baby to be around others and learn manners such as sharing. If the host serves unhealthy snacks that don’t fit with baby’s routines, bring offerings such as some healthy alternatives for baby to share with friends.
Ask for help:
Don’t be afraid to ask for some guidance and help if you need it. Nowadays, services such as a parent hotline, are available for you to call if you need advice on how to advise others when feeding baby. Additional alternatives include calling your paediatrician, talking to friends and family and joining a mummy’s club!