Breastfeeding and Want to Know When Can We Introduce a Bottle?!?

I didn't make enough milk to breastfeed my son exclusively, so we supplemented with the bottle from day one. He did just fine. My daughter was a stubborn one and it took several bottles to find one that she like as much as the breast, but again, no confusion. If you have used a shield, it should be that much easier for him to adjust to the bottle.

I introduced the bottle the first week home and she never had any so called "nipple confusion." I say that because with all the warnings of that I have never came across ANYONE that actually went through it with their baby. I've only heard of babies who start to prefer the bottle because of the faster flow of milk. I wished I would have pushed more for my husband to take a daily feeding...bonding for him and a break for me! I also used a shield the first week (cracked nipples) and they were a life saver!!

You sound so on it! I breast fed my son for 15 months and loved it. My husband started giving him a bottle once a day when he was 2 weeks old. It was great bonding for them and a break for me. I'm due again in 4 weeks and will do the same thing. I pumped from day one to store up a lot of milk (so I could work and go out at night). I only started giving him bottles when he was 1 year. This was he knew Mommy was boob and Daddy and everyone else was bottle.-www.weelicious.com

The only way is to try it.
Some babies have nipple confusion, some don't. Each baby being different. My son had no problem with it. My daughter rejected ALL approaches, so I had to nurse her exclusively.

Yes, "some" babies will not like to breastfeed, after getting used to a bottle, because it is easier... since it is only using gravity to get at the milk in a bottle. My son, was like that... he self-weaned by 12 months old, and he ONLY wanted a bottle. He'd literally slap my boobs away when I put him to breast... and then he'd turn away, scream, and (being he was still hungry), indicated he just wanted the bottle. So I just transitioned him to that.

Just bear in mind, that whenever you "replace" a breastfeeding, with a bottle...that your body and milk output will adjust to that... since milk production is due to supply and demand. So, your milk might lessen at certain times... or your supply.

ALSO, VERY IMPORTANT... even with bottles, you have to feed ON DEMAND... therefore, you will be assured that your baby will get enough intake during his 'growth-spurts' too in which at these times they need to feed more and more frequently, 24/7.

The only way to know, is to try it.

All the best,
Susan

Hi J.,
Most of the literature I've seen says to wait until the baby is 4-6 weeks old to introduce a bottle to avoid nipple confusion. I agree with Susan, I think it depends on the baby. I started with my daughter around that age and had her grandmother (who was desperate to feed her) give her one bottle every 4-7 days. When I went back to work when she was three months old, she got 2-3 bottles during the day from the nanny, and I tried to nurse her for as many feedings as I could to keep up my supply.

I'd caution you about using the shield. The shield can limit the amount of milk the baby receives and creates a shallower latch. The recommendation I've heard lactation consultants give is if you have to use the shield, remove it after a few minutes. Don't use it for the entire feeding.

That being said, you can successfully combine bottle and breast feeding into whatever combination works for you. As Susan said, breastmilk production is driven by demand, so the more feedings you skip WITHOUT PUMPING, the lower your supply will go. However, at the young age your son is, their feedings are really erratic anyways and if you want your husband to take one feeding so you can sleep, it's not going to cause you to dry up.

Here's a site with some good information on breastfeeding. You can also check out the La Leche League website for more info.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/index.html

Good luck to you, and great job nursing!

Totally agree with Susan!

My son was in the NICU for 7 weeks after being 8 weeks preemie, so they started him with bottles. But, I was able to transition him (with persistence and patience) to the breast by his 4th week there, and we had no issues.

When I had to go back to work it was great because, I didn't have to worry about him not taking a bottle.

Give it a shot and see if he's up for it. What we did in the NICU was offer the bottle for half the feeding, and then offer the breast. This helped me and my son a lot. Then it was easy when Grandma needed to do feedings...if you have questions give a lactation consultant a call, they are the best for advice on this kind of thing. The hospital where your son was born probably can give you a recommendation.

Good Luck.

Hi, J.
I am not a breastfeeding expert, but I breastfed both my children so I can relate to your question.. I read that between 2 and 6 weeks old babies settle on their feeding routines. Some kids will never have any nipple confusions, but most kids do. There isn't a set timeline to introduce the bottle, and it is a trial and error process, I think. Since your baby is only 2 weeks old, he might still change his eating habit easily. So I would first assess how established he is with the nursing. If you think that he has gotten it down good, then have hubby give a bottle to him one time a day and see if the nursing changes. If it does, then stop the bottle and wait for another week before your try again. Think what your long-term goal is- if you want to nurse for as long as possible and substitute with one bottle feeding a day, then you want to introduce it as gently as possible. If your goal is not to breastfeed past 4 months, then I would say start the bottle now and don't hesitate!

Hey J.,

I waited until about 6 weeks ... I think. We use the breastflow bottles they have a double nipple and mimic breastfeeding. Using these bottles should help with nipple confusion; we never had a problem with that. I am thinking that you might want to wean from the breast shield before you introduce a bottle that way you know you have a very secure breastfeeding relationship beforehand. Best of luck, I know it can all be so confusing but it will get easier:)

J.

Do it. Dad will love it and you will too.

Do it now! I though I should wait and did with both of mine and then they never took one!!! Baby will go back and forth no problem now that he is 2 weeks old!

Between 4-6wks is ideal to establish a firm nursing routine and avoid nipple confusion. (and nursing laziness, as you mentioned is a valid concern!) But if your baby is nursing well and effectively with no latching issues, I would think a little earlier wouldn't hurt.

I think that I have been in every situation that you are asking. At birth my son would not latch so we had to feed through a syringe/tube with my finger in his mouth to simulate a nipple for two weeks and then I was fed up because he never wanted to latch and I would try at every feeding. I went to a bottle with pumped milk using the slow flow medela nipples and he liked it right away. 1 week later I offered the "boob" again and he gladly took it. My husband still gave him a bottle of milk and sometimes formula everynight to help out for the first month. Also I used the breastshield for 2 wks every 2 days because I was in so much pain after he started breastfeeding exclusively. My son never got confused through all of this and is now only on the breast and an occasional pumped bottle when I need a break. I hope this helps and remember that every baby is different so don't rely on the books. I'm a first time mom with my mom in another state and my mother inlaw has passed away so I tried everything and went with what made my son comfortable. You can email me at ____@____.com if you have any ?'s

Great job nursing.
You can offer the bottle and probably should soon so he's used to both. My son took a bottle at 4 days from daddy and one from grandma at 6 days, doesn't matter when. Get them used to breast and bottle if you're going to work, otherwise they won't take the bottle, that's more common. Who ever is going to raise your child when you go to work will need them to take a bottle. However, keep in mind some kids just wait till mommy gets home from work and nurse a ton then.

I think around a month old, and the only a bottle every couple days for a little bit.

Once you get the hang of nurding laying down, those morning feedings will get easier :)

Hi J.,
My understanding is that as long as your baby has taken to the breast with no problems and you've been successful for a while, introducing the bottle is fine. My son (I've got a 5 1/2 month old) was given a bottle by my mom on day 3 which was a little earlier than I would have done it but I was taking a nap and she was trying not to wake me up. Anyway, he took to the bottle and has been fine eating from it and my breasts ever since.
Best wishes,
C.

I think they say you should wait 4-6 weeks before starting with a bottle. As for picking out a bottle, try to find one that most closely resembles what he is used to... either the sheild or you. Then try 3 or 4 different brands until he finds one he likes.

Introduce a bottle when you are ready. I was told that no later than 6 weeks is perfect, so they are not dependant on the breast. If it is your husband or someone other than yourself, your son should be fine taking a bottle. Also, if he is having trouble - you may want to be in a different location, where your son cannot see you (Otherwise he may want to nurse rather than take the bottle). I know the playtex drop in systems and Advent bottles worked really well for my little girl. She is 6 months now and goes back and forth from the breast to a bottle seamlessly. Good luck.

Our pediatrician told us to introduce the bottle after 3 weeks,we did so and my husband gave her a botlle once a day after that and it worked fine.
good luck!!!

I've heard that "nipple confusion" is a myth. :)

I introduced the occasional bottle with mine from less than two weeks of age, with no problems. It was a great bonding experience for Dad, and got me a little extra sleep once in awhile.

The biggest worry, according to the lactation consultant I talked to with my first daughter, is mastitis. Your milk production may not yet be well-regulated, and you may end engorged or even with a blocked duct. Didn't happen to me tho.

One word of advice - you should probably not be around. Even at 15 days, she knows you are there and will probably prefer you.

This seems like a very scary decision, but it isn't! If your baby is a stable nurser and gets the job done every time with no issues then you can start right now! Most literature says to wait 6 weeks, and for my first I did. My second came out nursing like a pro within an hour...so we started him on a bottle after a few weeks. In all honesty if your baby is hungry then they will take what you give them. If the baby starts to get fussy....simply stop the bottle and wait a few more weeks. It's not as if the baby will never go back to your breast! In fact, I think most babies prefer the mother for the bonding, smell and comfort it gives them. You may be surprised how reluctant your baby is to the bottle at first! Best of luck! No decision is the bad decision....do what feels right and all you can do is try it out and see how it goes!

J.,

From my personal experience, I introduced a bottle at 3 weeks. We use the Playtex Ventaire (the wide nipples) as they are like the breast. Any bottle that the nipple is most like the breast will give you the best results. We did not have any problem going from bottle to breast. I do suggest if you are going to still be breastfeeding to use the breast more than the bottle, but this way he will get used to the bottle. It will be great for all three of you. Daddy will be able to help with the feedings and you may get to sleep a little longer which will make you happier and less tempermental (I know I am when I don't get the sleep I need/want). Good luck and congratulations!

If you wait any longer, your baby may really not want to try the bottle. If you give one bottle a day, it should not interfere with the breast feeding. He will still love the closeness of your body, and Daddy will feel like he is sharing with the care also. To keep your husband from feeling in second place, you may soon want to go out on a "date", with Grandma or trusted friend staying with your little one. You will have a more injoyable evening, knowing your baby will be happy with a bottle.

Hi J....I don't believe there is anything to worry about introducing the babe to a bottle...getting him to accept a bottle even now might be tricky. I would say go for it...if you can train him to a bottle or two a day at certain times...early morning by your hubby and one in the afternoon...then that will allow you in the furture to be away for some mommy time, and someone else can give him a bottle, especially if you deicide to continue for more than 6 months.

Most doctors say 4-6 weeks...
-M

Hi J.,
I did breast feeding/bottle and formula all from day one in the hospital. My son was not confused and didn't care if he had breast milk or formula as long as he got fed. If you introduce bottle now your baby will get used to it now so when he's older or if you need to go away or if you want to stop breastfeeding it won't be a big deal. Letting him take a bottle also gives you freedom.... so go for it!

Good luck!

I recall hearing at a La Leche League (LLL) meeting to wait until at least 6 weeks (I think?) It may have been as early as 4 weeks, no more than 2 months. What I know for sure is you want to wait long enough to establish a good milk supply and get a good thing going, but not so long that they won't transition and KNOW they're being given something different. I believe that's around 5-6 weeks for most babies. Some babies switch from breast to bottle easier than others, though, so keep that in mind.

Also, some bottles give a much faster flow of milk than others. Really research it. I'd try the ones that have slower flow (so they have to work for it, just like at the breast) and are shaped more like a breast to facilitate an easier transition, especially since it sounds like you'll still want to breastfeed when you're not at work and only give him bottles when you're gone.?

Don't stress too much and enjoy this young phase while it lasts.
~N.

Hi J.,
I'd personally recommend first making sure that your baby is latching on properly to the breast before introducing the bottle (that could be anytime -whenever you've got your routine working).
We were forced to do a round the clock feed thing with my son for the first week or so, so I would nurse and pump round the clock. In between nursings, he would get a bottle of breast milk. He had lost some of his birth weight, and they wouldn't let us out of the hospital until he gained it back. I don't remember why we bottle fed the breast milk, unless it had something to do with my nipples being raw and bleeding. It doesn't make sense to me now.
Anyway, my son did take the bottle, but I was very happy after that week or two to have him only on the breast and latching on properly. I'm not sure if the bottle affected the problem with latching on, or if it was just that we were both new to it. That was by far the most difficult time that I had with breast feeding. Once he learned to latch on properly, it was dreamy!
I say just give yourself a chance to feel solid in your nursing, and then go for it. I think it's a great option to give yourself -gives dad a chance to bond, and gives you chance for a break.
We never did give my son a bottle again after that, nor did I ever have a babysitter until he was over a year old. In hindsight, I think I definitely should have given myself more of a break to take better care of myself. Oh well, live and learn.
Congrats on your baby and keep up the great work!
M.

Hello J.! Congratulations on your new baby! how exciting!
Ive only been breastfeeding for 4.5 months myself and was told wait as long as you can to introduce bottles. However I found it easier to bottle feed when I was out to eat or out running errands. I introduced a bottle at about 3 weeks. In my case I found it very easy. She gave me an odd look at first but automatically knew how to work it. We didnt experience any nipple confusion at all. She easily switches between bottle and breast. I wish you the best of luck and hope it comes as easy for you.

I introduced it at 3 weeks and try to do a bottle feeding (with expressed breastmilk) every week or two from then out so she is used to and comfortable with it. Just remember to pump to keep up your supply unless/until you supplement with formula. I figure if she is a good breastfeeder, you shouldn't have to worry about "nipple confusion" too much, but it's all a let's-try-and-see adventure...

J.,
First...KUDOS on breastfeeding!
Introduced the bottle right away w/ both my girls because I had trouble w/ my milk coming in. I used Playtex slow flow latex nipples. Personally I think latex is closer to the breast than silicone. My first refused silicone and I never even tried it w/ my second. Never had any nipple confusion. My daughters would take a bottle from me just fine.
No matter who is feeding your son or how, make sure they make eye contact w/ your little guy!
Best of luck and congratulations!