I've been back to work for almost a month now, but I'm working less than 20 hours a week right now, so I'm usually not out of the house for more than 5 hours a day. I've been pumping and leaving milk for DH to give Ela while I'm at work, though she usually doesn't take much and kind of saves it up for when I get home and then we nurse a lot.
The other day I got home and Ela was asleep, but sucking on her thumb hungrily. I had to finish doing something (I forget what) and then I planned to hop in bed next to her and nurse. But DH beat me to it--when I came back into the room I saw that he had given her a bottle of my milk, but it was propped with a pillow. I was totally shocked because it never even crossed my mind that he would bottle-prop. He's a very attentive, hands-on father who is always very aware of Ela and concerned with keeping her safe and healthy.
I didn't say anything at the time because I was a bit taken by surprise. I just took the bottle out of her mouth and nursed her instead. As far as I know, DH doesn't prop and leave. He's always right next to her, on the laptop or something, so it's not like he's leaving the room. But still, I think there is a choking hazard even if he is right there.
From day one I've been very careful about not criticizing his parenting. We're both first-timers and I'm no expert in any of this. I do intend to talk to him about it today when he gets home from work, and I'm sure that he won't have any problem giving up the propping habit, but I wanted to see what you ladies have to say about it. Is there a compelling reason not to prop, besides the obvious choking hazard? I want to come at him logically rather than reacting emotionally, because I don't want him to feel as if I think he's a lazy or bad parent. I really think he just didn't put much thought into propping the bottle.
The other day I got home and Ela was asleep, but sucking on her thumb hungrily. I had to finish doing something (I forget what) and then I planned to hop in bed next to her and nurse. But DH beat me to it--when I came back into the room I saw that he had given her a bottle of my milk, but it was propped with a pillow. I was totally shocked because it never even crossed my mind that he would bottle-prop. He's a very attentive, hands-on father who is always very aware of Ela and concerned with keeping her safe and healthy.
I didn't say anything at the time because I was a bit taken by surprise. I just took the bottle out of her mouth and nursed her instead. As far as I know, DH doesn't prop and leave. He's always right next to her, on the laptop or something, so it's not like he's leaving the room. But still, I think there is a choking hazard even if he is right there.
From day one I've been very careful about not criticizing his parenting. We're both first-timers and I'm no expert in any of this. I do intend to talk to him about it today when he gets home from work, and I'm sure that he won't have any problem giving up the propping habit, but I wanted to see what you ladies have to say about it. Is there a compelling reason not to prop, besides the obvious choking hazard? I want to come at him logically rather than reacting emotionally, because I don't want him to feel as if I think he's a lazy or bad parent. I really think he just didn't put much thought into propping the bottle.
