Breastfeeding moms - When did you integrate a bottle into feedings?

Sarahlovesrob · May 2014

I have been breastfeeding for 3 weeks now and have been told to wait until week 6 to introduce a bottle. When did you integrate a bottle into your feedings and does you baby still latch to you too? I struggle sometimes with breastfeeding for a few reasons but don't want to jeopardize my breastfeeding relationship with him if introducing a bottle before 6 weeks will ruin that.

~Thanks.

Roeni · May 2014

We introduced a bottle at 4 weeks. His latch was affected slightly, but he always corrected it. We only gave a bottle or two one weekend night so I could enjoy some wine. He is 9 weeks now and his weekend bottle does not affect his latch at all.

TeacherVicky · May 2014

We were recommended to introduce one between 4-6w. We did at 5w with both.

Avion22 · May 2014

The hospital told us to wait until "4 weeks or when BFing is well-established" before introducing a bottle. BFing went really well, so we actually did the first bottle at about 3 weeks, and have done one almost every day since then.

It really depends on your situation and your baby. If you're getting ready to go back to work, then you might try it a little earlier. If your LO still has issues latching, then maybe wait a little longer.

jenn43 · May 2014

The book "Balancing Breast and Bottle" is all about switching between bottle and breast. LO is only 7 days old, so I haven't introduced a bottle yet, but I found the book very informational. Lots of pictures and troubleshooting advice.

KingsGirl4 · May 2014

I haven't introduced the bottle yet, but plan to around 4 or 5 weeks old. My LC reccomended wating until 4 weeks or until BF was well established. I've heard that if you wait until after 6 weeks they may not want to take the bottle. My mom, however, didn't give me and my brother a bottle until 6 months and we took it fine.

Kyllarae · May 2014

Apparently I'm the only one that doesn't come close to following those recommendations. I gave the first bottle when we were still in the hospital and she gets two or three 3oz bottles each night. She still latches and nurses perfectly. If you're struggling though waiting another week or so would probably help.

erikaja6 · May 2014

Kyllarae said:

Apparently I'm the only one that doesn't come close to following those recommendations. I gave the first bottle when we were still in the hospital and she gets two or three 3oz bottles each night. She still latches and nurses perfectly. If you're struggling though waiting another week or so would probably help.

You're not the only one! My husband gave both of my sons bottles (of my pumped milk) within one week of being born. My oldest son never had any nursing/latching issues and so far, neither has our youngest son (knock on wood). However, if I had experienced any problems, I probably would have waited.

genna219 · May 2014

My little guy had his first bottle when he was 3 days old, with no problems switching back and forth!

killette · May 2014

My little peanut is 6 days old today. I am struggling with this question as well.

I have to return to work when she is only 5 weeks old so I need to make sure she is comfortable bottle feeding by then, but she is feeding from the breast every 2-3 hours now so I'm not sure when I can even pump. I tried once yesterday and barely got anything at all. I assume it's because she's nursing and got the lion's share already.

And perhaps it's because they were tender already but the pump really hurt my nipples. The breast shield is the correct size so I'm not sure if I did something wrong if I just need to get used to it.

laurayuen · May 2014

I started at week 2 bc my LO seemed well established with BF. I mentioned to my doctor and she had no concerns, she actually recommended at least once day so we could start integrating vitamins. I now bottle feed her at least once a day (always her last feeding before bed and I find that it keeps my sanity a bit. She will sleep btwn 4-5 hours after this bedtime feeding with about 3.5-4 oz.

Again, the most important is that you are well established with breast feeding.

Good luck!

killette · May 2014

I am also curious WHEN you ladies pump.

I've asked two friends who I know pump and they say they do it directly after feeding. Is that the best time?

jessib10 · May 2014

killette said:

I am also curious WHEN you ladies pump.

I've asked two friends who I know pump and they say they do it directly after feeding. Is that the best time?

The most important answer to this question is consistency. If you're pumping the same time every day, it's going to get easier and easier.

For me, I pump about an hour after our first morning feeding, I feel like this is when my milk supply is the heaviest.

bpatrick0809 · May 2014

My little one got a bottle at 4 days so daddy could feed him to. We have never had any problems switching back and forth. Hope it goes well for you!

linzeek44 · May 2014

One thing to think about when you do introduce it, is to read/watch videos about paced bottle feeding. There are some thoughts that it's not nipple confusion so much as a flow preference. Paced bottle feeding will help mimic breastfeeding and encourage baby to do both without a preference.

Here's a video that is pretty simple.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH4T70OSzGs

MrsZ0811 · May 2014

Beachbumm2214 said:

LO got his first bottle at 3 days as well. He's had no problem latching or taking the bottle. My nipples were so sore by time we first got home that I had to just pump and give him a bottle. I wanted to scream and cry they hurt so bad.

My dd got her first bottle at 3 days for the same reason. I was literally punching the couch while she fed because it hurt so bad. Now she gets about 1 a day - just to give my nipples a break during the day. (10 days old) She still nurses great and prefers the boob, but will take the bottle without too much fuss.

PrimRoseMama · May 2014

2 months old. I had to take a trip to John Hopkins to disconnect my Dad from life support etc. after surgery (he had a major stroke). At that point I'd pumped a freezer stash & even gave the gave the green light for formula.

I kept my supply up by pumping at least 4-6 oz per breast every 2 hours while I was away for a week.

Remember you still have to pump to replace the feeding they take by bottle.

kmdendy · May 2014

My husband was dying to feed my daughter so we introduced it around 2 weeks. She has one bottle a day and I breast feed her the rest of the day. Her latch on my nipple has always been great.

megsue114 · May 2014

Another bottle feeding question: I go back to work in ~5wks. Little got a bottle during our 7 days in NICU and we had a tough time getting her to latch to the breast (took about 3 more weeks before she would tolerate the change). She'll be bottle fed at daycare while I'm at work, but now she won't take a bottle. My hubs tries to bottle feed her at night here and there so I can get some sleep, but it's like she's forgotten what to do with it. She does not like pacifiers either...

Any advice on how I can reintroduce a bottle in the next 5 weeks so our first daycare experience isn't a nightmare (w/o damaging our nursing relationship)?

Jritchey2012 · May 2014

My son is 2 weeks, 2 days old and I've been doing both breast feeing and bottle feeding with supplemental formula as I am not producing enough milk to keep up with his demand. I don't see anything wrong with latching as we breast feed first and then go to the bottle to 'top off' any feedings.

norab2684 · May 2014

I am going to introduce it at 3 weeks- 1 week from today!
Another question- did you keep it to 1 bottle per day? Or did you do more? Also, how much milk should be in the bottle? Can I put a bottle of breast milk back in fridge if she's already started drinking it? Thanks in advance for your answers!

cpfanner · May 2014

I started a bottle at 3 weeks...one bottle a day. We don't give him one too often. We did do a pacifier at two weeks and never had a problem. 6 weeks is too late i think. If BF is going well go for it. I think i was scared with the whole nipple confusion talk but we never had any issues.
BF babies typically have 1-1 1/4 oz an hour, and that's the whole time they are BF. So at 6 weeks or 6 months They are still getting 1-1 1/2 oz. Your milk will change composition, unlike formula. We put an unused bottle back in the fridge, we typically use it up farely soon after

Mwyld · May 2014

norab2684 said:

I am going to introduce it at 3 weeks- 1 week from today! Another question- did you keep it to 1 bottle per day? Or did you do more? Also, how much milk should be in the bottle? Can I put a bottle of breast milk back in fridge if she's already started drinking it? Thanks in advance for your answers!

Our LC advised us to only put 2-3 oz in each bottle so we wouldn't waste any if she didn't drink it all. You don't want to put the unfinished milk back in the fridge, whatever your LO doesn't drink should be discarded

groverowl07 · May 2014

We've been using a bottle since birth. We didn't have much choice as we ended up in the NICU for 3 days and they instantly started a bottle even while we tried to start breastfeeding. My little guy (now 5 weeks) struggled to learn to breastfeed initially after that, but once we got the breastfeeding down (with some help from a lactation consultant and a nipple guard/shield for awhile) he's been fine going back and forth between bottle and breast. He loves his pacifier too. We've only been doing one bottle a night so dad can feed and I can try and get some extra hours of sleep, but I also have them on hand in case something comes up during the day and I just can't find a way to breastfeed the way I'd like...it's nice to know LO will take a bottle of breastmilk in that situation.

I, too, would love to hear other's comments about their pumping schedule. Our pediatrician recommended pumping in the morning (either right before or right after feeding) for sure and one other time in the day. I haven't been all that consistent as LO seems to want to eat at different intervals all the time still. The morning has definitely been my best. I've tried to wait anywhere from a half hour to an hour after feeding to get the best results, which has been working well for us.

stephpaez · May 2014

LO spent a week in the NICU so she was introduced to a bottle from day one. It was a little upsetting but it's what had to be done for her.
Once she came home, we had to continue to supplement to make sure she gained the weight she needed. She has not had any problems switching back and forth from breast to bottle.
The bottles that I bought once we brought her home are Dr. Browns for preemies. The nipple is small enough to mimic mine and it only holds 2oz.
Good luck! @Sarahlovesrob‌

jls256 · June 2014

I did the same with my son. I breast and bottle fed pretty much from the start and he's never had an issue latching.. Even uses a binky..

RedBird11 · June 2014

We had to supplement at the hospital at 3 days old due to jaundice. Then I was in a wedding when LO was 11 days so he bottle fed at my parents house all day. We have mixed bottle and breastfeeding ever since.

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Breastfeeding moms - When did you integrate a bottle into feedings?

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