When to introduce bottle?

flgirl20134

Hello,

I’m a FTM, due 02/28. I only have 8 weeks off STD. I work full time and travel. When I return to work I will pump and have LO bottle feed. I thought I could start pumping within a week or two and let DH share in nighttime feeding, plus get LO used to the bottle and not just the breast. I was planning to use a slow flow nipple and only let DH bottle feed at night and slowly increase as I get closer to returning to work. We just took a BF class and the LC said I can’t introduce a bottle for 6-8 weeks or I will cause nipple confusion. Is this correct? What have been your experiences and when did you introduce a bottle? TIA.

redhead610

We did at 4 weeks. There was no issue. If your baby is latching well you should be fine to start at 3 to 4 weeks.

KrisM86

I wouldn't pump or give bottles until at least 2-4 weeks personally. 4-6 weeks is what I have heard recommended by my midwives and the LCs at my birth center.

VitaLuna

I'd wait until ~3-4wks. Keep in mind that you need to pump every time LO gets a bottle... So even if you want H to give a bottle at night, you still need to get up to pump.

ETA: make sure he's doing paced bottle feeding, too.

Silverlining2011

Don't wait too long and when you do it, give a bottle every day!!! I introduced at 2 wks and she did it ok but then we got lax. By the time I went back to work she refused the bottle and it was incredibly stressful. I plan to introduce it next time at 2 weeks and make sure at least one bottle a day. It is a pain to pump but it's worth it to have a baby that is used to drinking from a bottle too.

flgirl20134

VitaLuna said:

I'd wait until ~3-4wks. Keep in mind that you need to pump every time LO gets a bottle... So even if you want H to give a bottle at night, you still need to get up to pump. ETA: make sure he's doing paced bottle feeding, too.

What is paced bottle feeding?Is that just making sure I alternate between breast and bottle?

flgirl20134

Thank you everyone. DH really took the advice seriously during the class and has been arguing with me about this. I knew starting bottle feeding at 6-8 weeks when I go back to work at 8 weeks is too long to wait.

flgirl20134

Cupcakesandquilts said:

VitaLuna said:

I'd wait until ~3-4wks. Keep in mind that you need to pump every time LO gets a bottle... So even if you want H to give a bottle at night, you still need to get up to pump. ETA: make sure he's doing paced bottle feeding, too.

What is paced bottle feeding?Is that just making sure I alternate between breast and bottle?

Paced feeding is basically slowing the baby down when they are drinking from the bottle so that bottles are not much easier than bf. this is to prevent a preference for the bottle. You just stop frequently for burps, take nipple out of baby's mouth and allow them to suck it back it, etc. there's lots of information online at kellymom.com.

Thank you.

OnBabymaking226

My LC said introduce bottle BEFORE 6 weeks.  We did at about 3 1/2, and we are taking a short break right now because she has been very fussy during BF, and I am wondering if it may be due to her getting a bit of a preference for bottle.  We'll re-introduce again in a week or so (I'm still pumping and freezing once about an hour after first morning feed to keep supply up) and see what happens.  I have a little more time though, and won't be going back to work for another 10 weeks. 

OnBabymaking226

Sorry for double post!

DahliaFlower

Right around the 1 month mark.  I was reluctant to do it too soon, but knew LO would have to accept bottle when I went back to work around 8 weeks.  He did just fine.  Even from the start he would accept one even from me, and it didn't seem to affect his interest in BF.  

GL!

DahliaFlower

Oh, and in addition to my previous post, I don't believe you will get nipple confusion if you do it around the 4 week / 1 month mark, but, I do believe you could get a baby refusing the bottle if you wait until 6-8 weeks.  That seems really late to me.  

Soon2BMrsN

We waited too long with ODS (I think he was about 6w) and it was a long, frustrating process.

RagsdaleA

We did it around week 2.5 I believe. I'm so glad we did bc LO has never shown a preference. She will go back and forth without a hitch.

agfox92

We introduced at 4 weeks. LO has had Mon problem switching back and forth. My lc said 6 weeks but a pediatrician at the hospital said that if we want lo to be comfortable with both give a bottle every other day. I didn't want to do it that Doon but wish I had before 4 weeks because lo still isn't very good at the bottle, but that's probably because I haven't tried out different nipples much.