Introducing the bottle

dani_girl08

Our pedi recommended waiting no longer than 3 weeks to introduce the bottle, so we are planning to try it tonight.  I am unsure of how much milk to put in the bottle to start with.  Any suggestions on how to figure this out? Any tips on starting with the bottle?  

 ETA:  

How long can I store BM in the fridge if I thaw it in cold water?  I can't find any info on how long thawed milk can be stored for.  Is it safer if I thaw it in the fridge if it isn't all going to be used right away?  (For example, if I thaw 4 oz, but we are only going to use 3 oz at a feeding, would thawing it in cold water warm it up too much to re-refrigerate?)

Do you put your leftover BM bottle in the fridge to re-use at the next feeding?  I can't find a solid answer on this, & I'm not sure if it can be re-used after it's been warmed to room temperature, or after a baby has sucked on the bottle.

 Sorry for all of the questions--I'm finding this very intimidating!!! 

trevess

I don't do much bottle feeding, but I would (personally) use any thawed milk that same day.  I also would not re-heat the milk for a second time. 

I don't know what the official rules are, but that is just what I go by.  Also- be sure Matt gives her the bottle, as she knows that mom has the real stuff & probably will resist if you try to give it to her.

 GL!

MelVic

This chart may help you...I have it bookmarked and visit it often because I forget all the rules with Breast Milk

https://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/t026900.asp#T026901

 (Sorry I do not know how to LIP)

I gave G a bottle at 3 weeks old....and she took about 2oz and that is it....As it is now she is 3 months old and only drinks about 4oz of breastmilk at a feeding if it is in the bottle.... 

ETA: The Breast feeding chart is at the bottom of the page when you click on the link above...first is FAQ's etc...) 

Ashleysred

www.kellymom.com - great resource for everything BFing related.

I would giver her an ounce at a time, that way none is wasted.

eamaines

Dani, I have the same questions & my daughter is going to be 4 months tomorrow.....I guess it's a good thing S doesn't take a bottle.  Although, I have a ton of milk in our freezer!!

This is what I follow in relation to some of your questions:  I thaw most milk in the fridge & only give it a shelf life of a few days, then I toss it (if it hasn't been used).  If it's been heated, we attempt to feed her & I'll leave it on the counter for up to 4 hours & then toss it.

I say yes that it's safer to thaw in the fridge if you are not planning on using it right away.

GL & if the milk is "bad," I'm sure she'll refuse to eat it anyway!!

MrsBlayne

Any milk that has been frozen and thawed, I use within 24 hours. If I thaw it in the fridge I start the time from when it is actually thawed, not when I first put it in. I only put a couple ounces in the bottle and once she has started a bottle I throw out whatever she doesn't drink within about an hour.

dani_girl08

Thank you girls!