Combi feeding help

[champagnePicnic]

Hi all

baby no4 is due soon & this time I would like to combi feed (all breastmilk not formula) but all my other children have been EBF so I have some questions as no idea how to navigate this

-firstly is a bottle dryer/ steraliser worth it? Looking at this momcozy one I want something convenient and time saving
—has anyone tried the bottle machines that wash bottles too? If so please reccomend some!

-online it says wait 4 weeks before introducing a bottle to establish BF. If this necessary or can I start straight away?

-and lastly if I do need to wait 4 weeks can I start pumping straightaway in between feeds to build up a freezer stash? (I’m going to rent a hospital grade pump).

any other tips would be welcome! Thank you!

I was not successful at introducing a bottle. My learning from it:

My baby breastfed very well and easily (lucky I know!) I was also told to wait until breastfeeding was “established by 6 weeks” (I see you have said 4, which might be better advice!) Because the feeding had gone well I would say we were established well before 6 weeks, but I was nervous to jeopardise anything. By 6 weeks she refused any bottle, teat or dummy and only wanted to breastfeed.

I actually ended up happy EBF, but with another baby if I wanted to introduce combi feeding, I would be my own judge of when we had hit “established” as I really think going too long was the problem.

@FunnyOrca thank you for that that’s really helpful advice! Maybe your right that waiting too long was the problem!

maybe I will play it by ear and see how it all pans out! I’m hesitant to buy all the bottle equipment incase he hates the bottle too!

Start pumping immediately inbetween feeds. Look into power pumping- good way to help supply but also i have friends who could exclusively breastfeed but couldn't get milk out when pumping.

Can't help with the other things. I used a microwave steriliser, had lots of bottles and freezer bags.

i’m a mum of 3 ebf babies and a GP, so not a lactation consultant expert, but I believe the advice is wait 6 weeks for pumping.
I wouldn’t invest in loads of bottle gear because they might not take bottles at all. Early introduction of bottles doesn’t mean that they’ll always take them. Your local LaLecheLeague bf group will be able to support you with pumping and bf, online and at coffee mornings, your NHS maternity hospital may have infant feeding drop ins or coffee mornings also.
https://www.facebook.com/138666653502095/posts/pfbid0EzwhvBsKt11ZFrvjYvbTKpyJhnpVpGcKxJj96qcBPaYf7XCoVqrYRuxoLR1PXDdSl/

I have exclusively formula fed all my babies so all I’ll add is that you don’t need something fancy to wash and sterilise bottles. I was them in the sink and have a Milton cold water steriliser. It was literally £20