Thinking ahead about return to work

[Sparrowlegs248]

Its very early days yet but I keep reading about babies refusing bottles etc.

DS is still very small (4wks Friday) and is EBF. I will be returning to work 3 days a week when he is 9months then full time when he is 12 months.

I really am clueless at this stage as to what his milk/food needs will be at 9 months.

Should I introduce a bottle feed soon (hope to express) so that he gets used to it?

[BikeRunSki]

At 9 months he will probably be on 3 meals of solids a day and milk feeds. Many people I know bf'ed morning and evening at this age and their baby was happy on solids during the day, and drank from a sippy cup. One child I know wouldn't take a bottle or sippy cup when her mother went back to work at 7 months, but are tonnes of apple purée for fluids during the day.

I can't advise on introducing a bottle as I ff bother mine from 1 week/3?weeks, but it may not be essential at 9 months.

[crazytyke]

If you want him to reliably accept a bottle then yes, start now. 1 a day would be fine. I've seen soooo many people unable to leave their kids at 5,6,7 months old because they don't take a bottle. its not just about returning to work, if you think ahead to wanting to get your hair done etc or simply have some time to yourself it's much easier if they take a bottle

[Christelle2207]

I have introduced one daily bottle with both of mine from an early age, tbh mostly so that I could get DH to take part in feeding and give my boobs a break! But I too know several mums who struggled/failed to get babies to take bottle at 5/6/7 months so give it a go soon with either ebm if you can pump ok, or formula.
Don't worry if it doesn't work out though, at 9 months my eldest was having milk first thing, last thing and early afternoon but the afternoon one stopped before he turned one. He was having enough solids to see him through the day and could have probably coped without from 8/9 months which is when he started going to nursery.

[MrsR84]

I would, yes. Our son is 4.5 weeks and I expressed 90ml into a small MAM bottle on Saturday, Daddy fed him and he took it straight away, no problems getting him back on the boob for the next one either! I'm going to do one bottle per weekend day for now, gives me a bit of a breather to go for a run or get an extra long nap in!