what is it that makes bfing established??

[ilovefirelighters]

my dd 3 weeks is doing really well with feeding. after a bad time bfing my ds 3 years ago im determined this time will work out for both of us. im so worried that teats (bottle/dummy) will interfere with her progress feeding that im staying well away. the only thing is we have been invited out to a family do (adults only) when dd will be 6 weeks old. dh thinks we should except the invite and i should express milk for that 1 evening. is this too early? am i worrying about nothing?

[MumNWLondon]

I think at 6 weeks ok as one off, esp if you feel you are doing well at 3 weeks.

[MoonUnitAlpha]

I think 6 weeks would be fine if everything is going well, though you might be uncomfortable missing a feed. I first gave my ds a bottle at about 5 weeks, and first left him with a babysitter at 8 weeks.

A 6 week old baby is no trouble though, is it not possible to take her with you?

[mousesma]

I gave DD a bottle a day from 3 weeks and left her with DH for the evening with some EBM when she was 6 weeks.

I actually think that if you are thinking about feeding EBM at any point then you should introduce the bottle sooner rather than later.

This forum is full of threads from people who have left it too late to introduce a bottle and their baby now won't drink from a bottle at all.

[gaelicsheep]

I really don't think that a single bottle at 6 weeks will do any harm at all. But I second what MoonUnitAlpha said - if I were you I'd take her with you.

[mrsgordonfreeman]

Take her with you: I took dd to a family party in a sling when she wasn't much older than yours. She seemed to rather enjoy it.

But if the adults only thing is strict, the bottle won't do any harm once in a while.

I am one of those whose baby won't take a bottle, mind you.

[MumNWLondon]

Also if you are feeding 3 hourly, by the time 4-5 hours are up you'll probably feel really full, and if the baby does have a bottle while you are out you'll probably have to express when you come in as the baby will not be hungry and you'll be bursting!

Make sure you feed just before you go. I have left all of mine at that age although only with either DH, my mum or my MIL - although would be fine with anyone who has experience of looking after small baby. I don't agree about taking the baby with, if she doesn't settle you'll feel you have to leave.

[GingerGlitterGoddess]

You obviously need to make sure that she WILL take a bottle before you leave her, so I agree it's best to introduce a bottle soon.

[bunnyfrance]

In my (admittedly limited) experience, trying a bottle sooner rather than later makes no difference - I tried with DS from 3 weeks...he never ever took it and is now 14 months.

So don't feel pressured into trying a bottle sooner than you are comfortable with.

[ilovefirelighters]

thank you, it does make sense to introduce it earlier now that i have read some threads about rejection of bottles. its just that lingering thought if i give it to her she will reject boob
i expressed for 6 weeks when breastfeeding didnt go well with ds and dont fancy going down that route just yet as breastfeeding is going so well.
really cant take her, strictly adults only. it will be a case of go or dont go.
we need to reply this week (dd currently 3 weeks) so i suppose i will need to introduce bottle now just to be sure she will take it.

[gaelicsheep]

I think if it's strictly adults only, knowing you have a young baby, then I wouldn't go on principle. But that's just me.