If you EBF (don't pump at all)

Emily2me

I have a pump, but never really use it. I used it a few times when DS was very small and I had over-supply. I don't think I have offered him a bottle since he was about 3 months old.

Now, at 6 months, he nurses every 2 hours during the day. He is sleeping from 11pm-5am, most nights.

My question- we are going to a wedding in DC in a month. For the rehearsal dinner, a friend is going to stay with him at the hotel from 6-8, so it shouldn't be an issue to feed him before I leave and again when I get back. I'm wondering what I should do for the actual wedding. The venue is only 5 minutes from the hotel, and DS will be staying at the hotel. Would you start trying to introduce a bottle now? Or just go back to the hotel every 2 hours to feed him? I feel like it's going to be such a pain to do that, and I would definitely love a night out... but I just don't know how to get him to take a bottle or go to sleep without nursing. Just wondering if anyone has any other suggestions.

JenRose05

I EBF and when Nathan was still nursing every 2 hours I never felt comfortable leaving him for longer than that because he was reluctant to take a bottle, formula, EBM, whatever his qualm was at the time. This isn't my advice at all but a WWYD situation. I would be going back and forth to the hotel due to engorgement and I'd be afraid that it would hurt my supply. That might not be the case but thats how I worried about things

sistrkate

I think you will probably find it difficult to introduce a bottle at the point.  I gave my DS a bottle about once a week when he was very young, starting when he was about 3-4 weeks old.  I got laid off from my job and so I didn't pump as often since I didn't need the freezer stash, so bottles were more infrequent.  He completely refused any and all bottles when he was about 3 months old.  It didn't matter the bottle, the nipple, whatever, he wasn't having it. 

Personally, at 6 months old, I wouldn't try to introduce a bottle, especially if you don't plan to continue it after the wedding is over.  I would just deal with the inconvenience for that one evening if I were in your situation.

Mrs.Cooley2bee

sistrkate:

I think you will probably find it difficult to introduce a bottle at the point.  I gave my DS a bottle about once a week when he was very young, starting when he was about 3-4 weeks old.  I got laid off from my job and so I didn't pump as often since I didn't need the freezer stash, so bottles were more infrequent.  He completely refused any and all bottles when he was about 3 months old.  It didn't matter the bottle, the nipple, whatever, he wasn't having it. 

Personally, at 6 months old, I wouldn't try to introduce a bottle, especially if you don't plan to continue it after the wedding is over.  I would just deal with the inconvenience for that one evening if I were in your situation.

I agree with Katie.  BUT, If you would like more nights out, even after the wedding, I would give it a try.  You could start pumping once a day and having DH try giving a bottle every other day or something like that.  Then, in the future, you could take a night off when you want.