How early to introduce expressed breastmilk?

[OrangeMochaFrappucino]

I didn't attempt giving a bottle of ebm with ds1 until he was 12wks as was so paranoid about jeopardizing his feeding after a difficult start to bfing. He refused the bottle and never, ever took one.

I now have 5 day old ds2 who has fed like a pro since birth - no problems with latch or supply and after a 4% weight loss on day 3 is now gaining weight. I didn't think I'd bother with expressing this time at all but I am absolutely exhausted and the idea of expressing one feed a day so I could get a stretch of sleep longer than 2hrs is irresistible to me! Is it too early now or could I go ahead? I'm not worried about nipple confusion as he feeds brilliantly but I am so desperate for sleep!!

[OrangeMochaFrappucino]

Oh! And can I use my old breast pump? Or will I never be sure of it being completely clean? I am a bit panicky about sterilising etc so wonder if I should buy new?

[Cric]

I introduced the bottle at 2 weeks. She is now 6 weeks and feeding from both. I hope that helps.

[PretzelPrincess]

Mine had bottle first as he was so small and had top up feeds. He had no problem with latch and breast feeding either so I kept going with both!
I really think it's down to the individual baby.

[OrangeMochaFrappucino]

Thanks - I don't want to interfere with my supply but have tons of milk and no problems so I think I will seek out the steriliser and give it a go.

[Artandco]

I think they say 2-6 weeks to establish bf. so if es feeding successfully now, then maybe look at starting after 2 weeks

[Artandco]

Oh and the easiest feed to start seems to be around 5pm. Then you still have the evening to empty your supy before you sleep so you don't feel engorged.

[Quodlibet]

I started mine at 2.5 weeks and it has been fine. I had heard two schools of advice - one lot of people saying get in early as if you leave it too long they'll refuse, and another lot saying ooh no, hold off, nipple confusion etc. I went with the first lot as I knew people who'd left it too late, and all the people who introduced early were fine.

[OrangeMochaFrappucino]

Thanks, it sounds like the two week mark is about right then - I probably wouldn't get around to it before then anyway. I definitely left it too late last time and didn't really mind as I wasn't keen for others to feed him really anyway but this time I am not so worried!

Dh tried to let me sleep this evening and has only been bringing me the baby for feeds, but cluster feeding has set in and there has only been 20mins between feeds so I have only managed a tiny nap - so, so tired and it looks like a long night ahead!

[PeaceLillyDoge]

Mine had it at 2 days, first from a spoon, then a syringe, then a bottle from day 6.

Never had a problem with nipple confusion and latch actually improved.

[Rachie1986]

Mine had a bottle from 5days. Had it everyday for a few weeks then dropped a bit. Then she decided around 9 weeks she didn't like the bottle! So now fighting to get her to have one still at 15wks. That is formula though. Never any nipple confusion that I could see.