Should I introduce a bottle at 5 months?

[beartime]

I've got to be a bridesmaid in 6 wks, and have never given ds a bottle - he is now almost 5 months old. The bride and mother have said its OK if I slip out to feed him (once in the service, and once during the meal) but I'm wondering if its worth trying to express and introduce a bottle for it, or if it'd be more hassle than its worth? He is only bfed and will just be 6mths by then so probably will not have started with solids yet.

Also - if I did introduce it, how,and when should I express, and would I have to keep a bottle a day going to keep him in the habit? Also would it be bad for my bfing?

[threebob]

It's only one day - I'd just pop out and bfeed him.

[NotQuiteCockney]

I'd probably just pop out and bfeed, too. Your boobs will probably get scary if you don't. (And then you'd need to express, which would be more hassle than breastfeeding.)

If bottles are helpful to you generally, you can express whenever, I often did it on the other side when the baby was feeding, first thing in the morning. And yeah, if you want him to keep up with a bottle, then you should give one every day or so. (At this age, there are sippy cups that work, as an alternative, if he won't take a bottle.)

One bottle of EBM per day won't do any harm to your breastfeeding at this point, particularly as you'll still be making all the milk that goes into him, so your supply won't be diminished.

[moondog]

Up tp you,but i agree. it would be easier to nip out and feed him than bring a bottle,try and get it down him,get stressed if he doesn't and so on.

I'm all for a bottle of EBM every now and again,but a wedding probably isn't the best time to introduce it!

[hunkermunker]

I was a bridesmaid when DS1 was this age - he got passed round everyone like a parcel and grinned at them all. I just fed him a few times during the day. I was wearing a skirt and top though - not a dress - so much easier to bfeed.

I would say definitely just feed him when you need to - much easier than all the faffing about with a bottle and EBM on the day.

[moondog]

Mornin' HM....

[hunkermunker]

Hiya MD

[beartime]

Thanks for the advice everyone it was really helpful- and hadn't thought of the boobs bit - my dress is very fitted too, so it'd mess that up!

I might try that expressing in the morning thing but probably can't be bothered! Hadn't thought of the cup either!

Hunkermunker - don't know how you could let him be passed around - I'm so protective that I get stressed if even one person holds him!

[hunkermunker]

It was largely family he was being passed around - I just enjoyed watching him beaming at everyone from afar and lapped up the compliments about my beautiful smiley son

[beartime]

yes family would be OK