Need a pump if breast feeding?

chelsea81

I am confused.  I plan on breastfeeding, but after 3-4 months I plan on returning to work.  I heard that if you plan to have the baby take a bottle, you have to start with at least one bottle a day within the first few weeks.  Is this true? If so, I must need a pump from the get-go right?

mfc2b4

-  I heard that if you plan to have the baby take a bottle, you have to start with at least one bottle a day within the first few weeks.  Is this true? If so, I must need a pump from the get-go right?

 

*not true. it is not recommended to give bottles within the first 3-4 weeks, as "nipple confusion/nipple preference" may occur. (easier to get milk from bottle than breast)

No need to pump from the get go. you may want to have one by 2 months and start pumping after one feeding a day to build up a small stash to have as reserve when you go back to work. 

I would introduce a bottle (one every other or every three days) around 1.5-2 months just to get your LO used to the bottle, and to give you time to figure out which bottle your LO prefers, if he/she is picky

Holly88

I've heard, and have a friend who went through this, that if you don't give a bottle to them by 3 months, they may not take one. She was able to successfully get him to take a bottle at 3 months, but it was HARD. She tried all the tricks and a bunch of different bottles.

We have given LO a bottle from day 1 and he's never had nipple confusion, FWIW. All babies are different though. 

In your situation, I would want to have a pump on hand to build a stash. I also like having it right now because I can pump for 15 minutes (then go back to sleep) and have DH take care of LO for one night feeding.

PAmiler82

mfc2b4:

-  I heard that if you plan to have the baby take a bottle, you have to start with at least one bottle a day within the first few weeks.  Is this true? If so, I must need a pump from the get-go right?

 

*not true. it is not recommended to give bottles within the first 3-4 weeks, as "nipple confusion/nipple preference" may occur. (easier to get milk from bottle than breast)

No need to pump from the get go. you may want to have one by 2 months and start pumping after one feeding a day to build up a small stash to have as reserve when you go back to work. 

I would introduce a bottle (one every other or every three days) around 1.5-2 months just to get your LO used to the bottle, and to give you time to figure out which bottle your LO prefers, if he/she is picky

great advice!

I didn't pump until 4 weeks and intro'd the bottle at 5 weeks.  I can't imagine trying to figure out pumping during those first weeks.  I barely kept my sanity just working on recovering, taking care of an infant, and BFing.

mrs_sherod

I waited to introduce a bottle, but was also afraid it would deplete my stash.  It took a while before LO would take a bottle...like he was 4 months.  I'd say def try to give a bottle at 4 weeks...hopefully LO will take it.

chelsea81

Thanks all for  your advice, so helpful!