Going to introduce bottle at next feeding

DEBBIE33CASEY · February 2012

I'm heartbroken about it because I feel like BFing has been so succesful and after having to EP for DD, I am so grateful for being able to BF this time. But DS is 4 weeks old today so I know I need to introduce a bottle soon since we have some things coming up where DS won't be able to join me (including a concert tomorrow night). We have a wedding in 2 weeks that kids aren't allowed at and it's 2 hours away from home so we have to have bottle feeding down by then at least. So I just pumped and have a bottle ready for DS when he wakes up. I'm really emotional about it but I know I'll be happy to have a little more freedom from DS by giving him a bottle. Hopefully it won't stop him from BFing in the long run.

Any advice is welcomed!

chemmie03 · February 2012

My LO was given a bottle in the NICU so I actually had to teach him to take the breast. I got him to latch with a nipple shield. But that is off topic. The one thing I have found is to get a nipple similar to your nipple. You don't want to have a huge nipple on the bottle and then expect him to latch on to your nipple. I am using the Medela bottles and nipple right now but I have also used playtex nursers and I like those also. It is just easier right now to pump into the Medela and put a nipple on it if he needs to eat more. I hope I helped and I make since. I am bumping from my phone.

shortstuff15 · February 2012

I'm planning on going to full time formula at 6 weeks so I've introduced the bottle already. I introduced the bottle at 2 weeks and it has caused no issues. She'll take from any nipple apparently! I have occasionally had to get my husband to feed her if she wants the boob instead, but for the most part she'll do fine wherever. I did find though that she takes it better when it's warm, which my first took room temperature best so that was different.

DEBBIE33CASEY · February 2012

chemmie03:
My LO was given a bottle in the NICU so I actually had to teach him to take the breast. I got him to latch with a nipple shield. But that is off topic. The one thing I have found is to get a nipple similar to your nipple. You don't want to have a huge nipple on the bottle and then expect him to latch on to your nipple. I am using the Medela bottles and nipple right now but I have also used playtex nursers and I like those also. It is just easier right now to pump into the Medela and put a nipple on it if he needs to eat more. I hope I helped and I make since. I am bumping from my phone.

we used the medela bottles with DD when I was EPing so that's the only kind of bottles we got for DS, too. I'm hoping it will work! He's surprisingly still sleeping so I know he'll wake up soon and I'll have to give it a shot.

LanaLoves · February 2012

Why are you so emotional about it?? Your LO won't care/notice.....Its not like you'll be 'less bonded'. Just relax and enjoy the time you'll have to yourself, your LO will be happy with his tummy full and always love his mommy..

DEBBIE33CASEY · February 2012

LanaLoves:
Why are you so emotional about it?? Your LO won't care/notice.....Its not like you'll be 'less bonded'. Just relax and enjoy the time you'll have to yourself, your LO will be happy with his tummy full and always love his mommy..

Lol I think I'm emotional for 2 reasons.

1. b/c of the HUGE struggle I had with DD with bfing, which failed horribly and lead me to EP for 9 months instead, which I loathed and hated every second. So bottle feeding left a big negative taste in my mouth b/c I felt like it was forced on me. And I have a silly fear that once he takes the bottle he won't want to BF anymore.

2. I am in denial that he's already hit the 4 week mark (that's when DH and I agreed to start trying bottles) and I can't believe he's that old already!

Lhand11 · February 2012

I am sure it will go just fine! You got this mama! We are going to start tonight or tomorrow, whenever the milk defrosts. I have stuff next week that I can't take him too.

VABride2008 · February 2012

My DD went on an 8 week bottle strike when she was 6-14 weeks old. We introduced a bottle to DS this time at 3 weeks and we offer one a day. It was so stressful returning to work at 12 weeks with DD and knowing she was going 8-9 hours with only eating an ounce or two of milk (then being up all night making up for missed feedings). I'm sure you'll still have a great BFing relationship!

JWSchwarz · February 2012

We introduced the bottle a couple of nights ago. Advice I got was to have someone else give him the bottle, not you. He didn't take the first bottle (we just put 1 oz in it to see and glad I didn't waste more). But, he took the one we gave him yesterday. It was definitely sad to see my little baby cheating on me! I just have to remember it gives me a little freedom so I should be happy he took it so well. He didn't have any latch problems afterwards.

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