Introducing a bottle feed to breastfed baby

[Worried0266]

After discovering just how little I can express at 7pm tonight (barely 0.5oz) compared to 9am (6+ oz easily), and based on experience of better sleep when baby has had to have a bottle at this time in the past when I've gone out, I would like to introduce a bottle as his last feed of the evening more regularly.

I have the calma teats, my first son got on fine with them after we introduced them at 9 weeks and happily switched between breast and bottle for 10 months. My second one (18 weeks old now) will begrudgingly take only 2oz or so from them after screaming for 45 minutes first. We've tried once a week or so since 7 weeks old. Tonight I tried a different teat and he only screamed for 15 minutes then downed 4oz and fell asleep. I'm wondering whether he finds the flow too slow from calma and it's too much like hard work as I think I have quite fast flow from the boob. Has anyone else found this? Am I confusing him using this type of teat rather than one he has to work at, like breastfeeding? He is a proper boob monster so I'm hoping he'll still prefer boob at his next feed!

[Dragonfree]

I'm not familiar with calm and, but what size teat are you using? My LO was 5 weeks when we first gave him a bottle. It was a MAM one as that's what I had and, (coincidently) we had MAM dummies. We moved up from size 1 to size 2 slightly earlier than recommended as he has a very hard suck and I knew my flow was also quite fast. He just appeared bored / frustrated during feeds which is why we changed.

He now has a mix of breastfeeding and bottles, but always a bottle in the evening for exactly your reasons. He seems to be happy to swap between the two.

We also tried the Tommie Tippie Back to Nature bottles / teats, but he didn't really get one with them - too much hard work!

I would recommend you continue to express at night to keep your supply going (and prevent discomfort in the morning!). It feels odd though when DH is feeding LO in one corner of the room whilst I express in the other... Somewhat inefficient!

[Orangebird69]

I think the calmas are really hard work. Try a faster flowing teat x

[Worried0266]

Thanks for replying! I'm just using the cheap supermarket bottles, slow flow teat I think. He didn't sleep for any longer than usual last night, waking up at 12, but then did sleep for longer after that as his next feed wasn't until 4. Recently we've seen every hour so that was an improvement! I didn't give a bottle tonight but he'll have one tomorrow when I go out for the evening.

[Dragonfree]

I'd try a faster flowing teat if you can get hold of one. Fingers crossed for you.

[Orangebird69]

At 18 weeks op, the dreaded sleep regression could well be hitting so that could have something to do with the wakings. I would however still feed at every waking. Good luck x

[Worried0266]

Very true. Up now for the first feed tonight so not too bad. He's also developed a tickly cough over the past few days so isn't feeling his best. Will just keep on feeding!

[Orangebird69]

Hang on in there!