How do I introduce one bottle a day for baby while sticking to bf rest of the time

[Andanotherthing123]

Am looking for advice - DC 1 and 2 were both breast-fed until 11 months. Made a half hearted attempt at expressing with DC2 but it didn't suit me, as it's just easier to get a boob out than sterilise bottles and hook myself up to a pump. When DC3 arrives, I'd like to add in a formula bottle in the evening, mainly because DC1 has health problems which might need hospital stays and I don't want to be completely tied to baby and unable to support him.

So, when do I introduce a bottle and is there a technique for getting it right? I don't want baby to prefer bottle over breast as bf is something I quite enjoy since I'm chronically lazy and it's the best excuse for sitting on my arse that I've ever found ha ha!

[roofio87]

I went to an antenatal bf workshop yesterday and they said not to introduce bottles until 6 weeks to avoid confusion for the baby. don't have any other advice though as im only expecing numer 1 now!!

[McBaby]

I would start a thread in breast and bottle feeding should get more advice.

[Andanotherthing123]

Ok thanks - just found the thread and it is indeed the right place!

[comfyonesie2]

I did this with both my DC, gave one bottle a day, but waited until 6 weeks so bf was well established. DH gave the bottle about 10pm so I could have a few hours uninterrupted sleep. They both still preferred bf if given the choice, so no probs there and I doubt if they would have taken the bottle off me, I never tried. It might be an idea to get someone else to give the bottle whilst you get the routine established as it's less confusing for the baby as they will associate you with bf.

I'm planning to do the same with DC3, as I think having a break from 1 feed a day really helps with the early exhaustion you get with a small baby! I'm thinking this time I might let one of my older children give the bottle while I cook dinner. I don't think you will have any problems with the baby preferring a bottle if you wait a bit before you introduce it. Hope it works out for you

[Andanotherthing123]

Thanks, this is just the info I needed - feel a bit more clued up now!

[moanymandy]

I did this with ds from day one. our first night at home was difficult feeding wise so I gave him a bottle so he got some milj and we all got a bit of sleep!
Breastfeeding got easier in the next day or so but he had quite a few bottles during his first 3 days and then after that I just kept the evening bottle routine and breastfed the rest of the time.
he also had a dummy so I did everything you are told you shouldn't!
ds was perfectly happy and I am really pleased I did it and plan to do something similar this time too.

[Excited2meetmyprincess]

moany I am so glad u posted this as that is exactly what I am planning to do and have been told it won't work and baby won't BF once had a bottle. So I'm really glad that I have heard from someone that it does work for.
I am planning to BF in the day but husband will do bottle feeds of a night x

[moanymandy]

Good I'm glad it gave you some hope! he took perfectly well to it all and was no bother to him once I stopped breastfeeding.
It makes sense to me doing it from day one as if you wait 6 weeks they may be more fussy taking a bottle.

Good luck hope all goes well!

[Mamabear12]

I gave a bottle of formula after 2 weeks. Well, my mom did bc I needed to go to gp appt, baby was hungry and didn't have time to breastfeed. Anyway, baby was fine to breastfeed after and have bottle once or twice a day. I breastfeed until she as just over 12 months and she would also get bottle.

[CruCru]

I also gave DS a bottle after a week. I expressed and did mixed feeding until he was one. He also had (has) a dummy when he sleeps.

My maternity nurse said that introducing a bottle after three weeks can be tricky as the baby sometimes won't take it.

[pokesandprodsforthelasttime]

My midwife said don't give a bottle until after 6 weeks too. So I didn't and what a mistake THAT was.

DD completely refused to take a bottle at 6 weeks, and in fact I never got her to take one.

If you absolutely need your baby to take a bottle I would try a lot early than 6 weeks.

[Adreamz]

Mine was the same as pokesamdprods, I tried at 4 weeks with a bottle because I was going to a hen party at 6 weeks and she was really fussy. The day I went she took 4oz only then guzzled me when I got home (with a dirty look I might add). I had to bf till 12 months because she wouldn't take a bottle at all and due to dairy intolerance I couldn't give milk any other way, so it delayed my return to work. This time I want to express early and try a bottle from 1 or 2 weeks xx

[CreatureRetorts]

Excited, bottles at night is highly likely to mean BF may not become established. Milk production is higher at night so if baby isn't feeding at night, your body won't make enough and if early days your supply might never become established. I know the prospect of sleep is key here but it passes quickly!

[Insanityismymiddlename]

I started from 3 days old as I was exhausted and my nipples were so sore, I just swapped DC4s last feed at night for a bottle of formula, she is still only a week old but takes the bottle and the breast with no problems.

[Bambamb]

moany how long did you go on to breastfeed for?

I never managed to get DS to take a bottle so for our next DC am hoping to introduce one at the right time.

However I do worry that it would reduce the length of time I could breastfeed. Fed DS 2+ years, would like to do similar with this one if poss.

[Shellywelly1973]

Was reading this thread & thought it weird that some people consider a certain way to feed easier. I will end up ff as i simply won't be able to just concentrate on baby alone due to other dc etc.

I bf last baby for 8 weeks but milk supply just twindled mainly due to exhaustion. Ds had tongue tie& lip tie. I was back at work, SN dc etc. Not drinking & eating enough.

This time round Im thinking more whatever works!

[susan1989]

my midwife has advised me to introduce a bottle (I intend to bf and express) at the end of.2/ beg of 3rd week otherwise it becomes more difficult

[Yonionekanobe]

Hi there. I posted on your thread in breast & bottle feeding. In summary - ASAP! Speaking from experience we had with DD who was a bottle refuser!

[DorsetLass]

I did exactly the same as Moany with both of mine (almost) - bottles from day three with first(as I was shattered and ill after awful labour/birth) and day two with second as he failed to thrive. Both went on the breast feed very successfully for several months with just one bottle late evening (sometimes expressed, more often formula). Good luck!!

[sarahleanne]

I used to let DH give DD a bottle at about 10pm (ish) as I meant she would sleep for about 4 hours instead of 3 hours.Plus it helped him bond and gave him a chance to play a part in feeding.I did mix feeding with both of mine from day 5 and it always worked ok for us.

[SarahJinx]

DS had an evening bottle from day two. My milk didn't comedian straight

[SarahJinx]

Ha!

Come in straight away, not comedian. It certainly wasn't funny!

Anyway, it was a top up post feed for a start to maintain supply, and we just kept it that way. He has had an 8pm bottle his entire life and still does. I bf to 8 months when he self weaned.

He had a dummy too.

I also have friends who waited till past six weeks and couldn't introduce a bottle. I'll do the same this time around, it was so nice to have a break!