Breastfeeding and bottle question...

May · #1 (**permalink**) 05-23-2008, 01:14 PM

I Breastfeed Harrison and I did with my last son as well. With Griffin I waited till he was about 3 months before I had dh feed him a bottle of breastmilk. I wanted to try it out and see if he would drink the bottle. He took it fine and then after that I was able to leave him with my dh if I went somewhere for a short time every now and then. I waited till he was 3 months b/c I was afraid he would have nipple confusion so I wanted to have him well established on bf before trying it out. So anyway, my question is.. How long are you supposed to wait before giving a breastfed baby breastmilk in a bottle? My sister said she read 4 months. What do you ladies think? How long should I wait? I want to be able to have date night with my dh without taking baby, but I certainly dont want to jump the gun on the bottle thing and then have problems. Oh yeah, it would only be 1 bottle of breastmilk once every 2 weeks. If he takes it...

KateRose · #2 (**permalink**) 05-23-2008, 01:44 PM

I supplemented Mateo with formula from a syringe while we were in the hospital, but since we've come home, he's had 2 feedings from a bottle with EBM. I haven't even bought the slow flow nipples yet, but he also takes a paci, and does just fine with everything, and has no nipple confusion. My second didn't have problems, either. I'll have someone give Mateo a bottle about once a week, just so he is somewhat used to it, if and when I shouldn't be there for a feeding. That's what works for us.

Vwantsababy · #3 (**permalink**) 05-23-2008, 01:49 PM

I was reccomended to start at bottle at 3 weeks by the lactation consultant at our hospital. DH been giving my little girl a bottle a day though she does not take it well... we keep working on it.

Surprise4th · #4 (**permalink**) 05-23-2008, 01:53 PM

We asked our pediatrician at our 1 week appointment -- she said that because baby is such a strong nurser, she would do fine. She really doesn't "believe" in the nipple confusion thing, at all....and Danica gets bottles of EBM when we go out for the day -- and she's done great!!

In fact, we're going out to buy the kiddos wedding apparel right now and I just finished pumping a bottle for Danica, as we'll be gone for the next several hours.

aleise02 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-23-2008, 02:46 PM

My pedi also said that she does not believe in "nipple confusion" DH has done a feeding of pumped breast milk every night at the 11pm feeding since Carter was 1 week old, but since Carter was a premmie he had a bottle supplement in the hospital, and he also takes a paci!! He nurses like a champ, and has never had a problem. But I would just do it when YOU feel comfortable, also just a suggestion though I have very little experience I think that the playtex bag nursers, that are collapsable with the yellowish nipples are the best Carter had avent bottle with kinda hard plastic nipples and HATED the bottle, but as soon as I switched it got better

mylilbeebers · #6 (**permalink**) 05-23-2008, 03:07 PM

1Ht
I agree with the others. I have read that you shouldn't introduce the bottle until 6 weeks...who knows!! D takes a suckie/paci with encouragement...he'd rather be sucking on me than plastic, but he will take it...no problems at all. I'd do it whenever you're ready.

*Mariah's*Mommy* · #7 (**permalink**) 05-23-2008, 03:19 PM

Mariah got her first bottle of EBM yesterday. She did good and it was nice to see that she took about 2 1/2 oz and seemed content. I use the playtex nursers which she takes well. Today my mom gave her a bottle of EBM while we were at the store today. She didnt take it as well because it was cold. She loves pacifiers also. No nipple confusion here. If you think he is ready I would try it, if he doesnt take to it maybe try it again in a week.

Champaggne · #8 (**permalink**) 05-23-2008, 05:21 PM

yeah i mean i would imagine 4 months is a long while...esp for working moms. I mean working moms need to have their babies going back and forth sometimes at 6 weeks. I think it is good to get your baby used to different ways to eat. I want to bf... but i will use bottles as well.... if it goes well i will express so other can feed him. And really if they dont... i will formula feed... i am not worried. ALthough it be nice bfing works this time better than with ds... with the cost of everything rising.... this year financially is going to be rough... but like i said .... it is up to you an how you do it. You can get him used to both i bet.

sunnymw · #9 (**permalink**) 05-23-2008, 07:14 PM

*lurking*.... Once your milk supply is well established, 5-6weeks or so. And with the slowest-flow nipples you can find, of course.

Nipple confusion IS real, but it is rare. Problem is, it isn't THAT rare, and when it happens to YOU, all hell breaks loose

Better safe than sorry IMO.

Enjoy your date!

diaana · #10 (**permalink**) 05-23-2008, 07:31 PM

I always heard not introduce a bottle until 8 wks. We did that with my first, and he didn't take to it well. I've already gived Reid EBM and fomula, and he's done well. He also takes a paci. I say give it a try. If you start having problems, then you can back off a bit and try again a little later.

May · #11 (**permalink**) 05-24-2008, 11:24 AM

Thanks for the advice everyone! Harrison is going to be 4 weeks tomorrow and has been a great nurser since day 1. So, I think im going to go ahead and have dh or my sister try to feed him breastmilk in a bottle tonight and see if he takes it. If he does then that would be great b/c then I can let my sister babysit him when dh and I have our date nights!
My sister and I watch each others kids so that we both get date nights with our dh's. We alternate friday nights.

workingon#1 · #12 (**permalink**) 05-25-2008, 10:06 AM

I've heard 2-3 weeks. I'm going to try for the two week mark, just so I can get some relief at night. It's tough being the only one that can feed him, but he nurses well (if he's not too sleepy), so I'm thankful for that since DS#1 didn't nurse well at all!

hidee04 · #13 (**permalink**) 05-25-2008, 10:51 AM

I was scared of the whole "nipple confusion" thing but if anyone would have it Dylan would. Nothing in his mouth and IV fluids for a week, then a paci and tube feedings, then failed attemts at bfing, then just thickened formula for a week... now he is nursing great! Some nurses said he woudn't go back to it but most including the LCs said that babies are alot smarter than we give them credit for. Good luck.

May · #14 (**permalink**) 05-26-2008, 11:22 AM

Well, he took the bottle. He had a bit of a hard time with it but he did take it. I think part of the reason he had a hard time with it was b/c it was a hard nipple. So I got him a better bottle with better nipples. So I think he will be alright with it!