BFing - how early is too early for....

stacymartz · November 2008

starting to give BM in a bottle? I know he is latched on good, but after about a week now, I swear my nipples are going to fall off!!!

I was thinking that I would start working in one bottle a day just to give them a rest? What have you ladies done?

Mrs. Sara Beth · November 2008

Wait for a few weeks. Its best for your boobies and everything to keep that routine for a bit.

chalmette · November 2008

I wouldn't give him a bottle until he's four weeks old unless you have to. And if you're going to give him a bottle, you're still going to have to pump so you don't negatively affect your milk supply -- pumping hurts more than nursing, so that plan doesn't make sense.

If his latch hurts that much, you should have a LC check things out. I didn't have any pain, cracking or bleeding.

Brookie-Cookie · November 2008

i think 1 month is the rec, but so many babies are sup'd right away with a bottle. Try it out and see. If latch turns into a problem, stop with the bottle.

Happy mama = Happy Baby

jennessey · November 2008

We waited four weeks. Now DH gives him a bottle every night before bed.

rjbear21 · November 2008

i had really bad open sores on my nipples and i took a 2 day break when she was 2 weeks old. she got BM in a bottle. then i started nursing her again. and at 3 weeks, i started giving her a bottle of BM at bedtime, or rather so DH could feed her at bedtime. for a long time i still ended up ultimately nursing her to go to bed but now she goes to bed on nothing but the bottle.

consistency pays off! do it whenever you want to. if he is having some issues at first try a different bottle because not all babies like all bottle nipples... you might have to try a different brand. my DD only will take the Soothie kind

macaroni1979 · November 2008

Our pedi told us to do a bottle a day starting at 3/4 weeks. It really worked for us for many reasons-I learned how to pump, dh could feed her (good for bonding) and so that she would have no issues with nipple preference/confusion. Good luck!

lily225 · November 2008

I would try to wait. Putting off getting them used to bfing is just that, putting it off. I promise the pain won't last forever and should be getting better soon!

We waited til DD#1 was 4w old before we did the bottle, and that was only because we had to at that point.

azuremama · November 2008

3-4 weeks is the usual recommendation. Early enough that the baby is flexible and will take a bottle pretty readily, but long enough to let breastfeeding become well-established.

FinallyMrsB · November 2008

Our pedi said to start giving her a bottle between 2 and 3 weeks or else she might never take one. She gets a bottle for her feeding at bedtime, which DH gives her. She still latches on great, but she's a chubby baby and I have a feeling that she would eat anything

My nipples are just now feeling better at 3 weeks pp. Hang in there!

Bejebus · November 2008

wait at least til 2 or 3 weeks, also don't take a break from anything, when you give him a bottle you should pump to keep your supply up.

stacymartz · November 2008

thanks ladies , good to know -- looks like I will stick it out for a least another week or so

Alligator · November 2008

I was told 4-6 weeks. I gave my first bottle at 5 weeks. He's only had 3 bottles total and has taken them fine and has gone back to breastfeeding fine.

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