to think a health visitor would discuss bottle feeding with me

[Sunflower100]

dd was exclusively breastfed to 5 months and breastfed to 10 months. I am firmly commited to breastfeeding dd 2 (now 7 weeks)similarly especially as dd1 has numerous allergies, but would like to give her the occasional bottle of expressed milk to give me some freedom to leave her with dh, my mum etc. dd1 would not take a bottle for ages and I don't want a similar battle with dd2. Attempts so far indicate we are going down the same path..so Im thinking am I missing something about how to do this?... so I try to discuss this with two HVs. Both behave as though I'm suggesting giving her a bottle of wine. I know breastfeeding is the best thing for dd2 but AIBU to think a HV might advise on this?

[burningupinspeed]

Have you posted on the BFing topic? I know there are great HVs but you've obviously got a dud, I'd give up with that avenue, personally.

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

YANBU but it sounds like you've pulled a short straw with your hv.

Is there a bf support group near you? I bet some of the Mums there have been in a similar situation and could give you some good advice

[Sunflower100]

Its more the principle tbh - I feel as though I the three HVs I have spoken to have treated me like I'm an idiot and that after one bottle I'd be running her down to the kebab shop for early weaning!

[halia]

YANBU but.... you're unlikely to get any joy if my experience was anything to go by. I tried and hated BFing and was desperate for support and advice om Bottlefeeding for DS, the HV simply said she couldn't advice me except to say I MUST keep things clean because bottle fed babies got ill alot more through mums not sterilising everything.

[pamelat]

YANBU.

Mine were different, no consistency. I was encouaged to supplement breast feeding with formula because "you have a very hungry baby"

[pamelat]

sorry know you mean expressed bottle but thought it was similar anology.

[cory]

most of my friends seem to have been told that if you're breastfeeding you can't give any bottles; so a fair few of them gave up breastfeeding altogether once they had succumbed and given that one bottle

we were all told at great length about those wonderful Scandinavian countries where nearly everybody breastfeeds

only thing is, I have lots of relatives and friends in Scandinavia and none of them seem to have any qualms about giving the odd bottle and still calling themselves breastfeeders

I had no difficulties getting ds to take a bottle about your dd's age (perhaps a little younger); give it a try and see how it goes

[neversaydie]

My HV actually suggested giving an occasional bottle from about 7 weeks to get the baby used to the idea. She pointed out that he would need to take milk from something when I went back to work, but if I delayed trying a bottle to 24 weeks, then he would probably refuse it.

So, ds got a very occasional bottle from 6 weeks onwards, provided by Daddy, and sure enough we had no issues with them when I went back to work. (The first bottle was ebm, but my milk supply was very fully utilised by ds on direct supply at that point, so after that he got formula)

Just for the record, after I went back to work, he guzzled formula for about 3 months, then refused it completely once he was 9 months old. I kept breast feeding night and morning (and at week ends) throughout with no obvious problems, and once he came off the bottle that was his main source of milk. I eventually weaned him off the breast just after his 2nd birthday.

On the whole I found that my HV was knowledgeable and incredibly helpful to a totally gormless first time mother!

[nellie12]

Hmm that's unhelpful to say the least. Ask them to give you the number for the local infant feeding support team they should be able to advise you. What size teats are you using? could you try a faster flow teat? mine were on medium flow at that age also have you tried the really soft flexible teats? (like mothercare)

Yanbu I think they might be interpreting guidelines wrongly they do have doh leaflets on bottlefeeding - though you have to request them and it is more concerned with formula feeding.