When should I start expressing and introducing a bottle per day?

[beatie]

This is my 2nd baby. My dd1 took a bottle of expressed milk at around 3 weeks. She continued to take the odd bottle of expressed milk sporadically but then I got slack about doing it regularly and when I needed her to have a bottle of ebm - she refused the bottle.

This time round I would like to breastfeed my dd2 for 12 months. But I would also like her to be able to take a bottle of ebm so I can leave her with other people or let my DH feed her. I have decided to express one feed per day to be fed with a bottle.

Has this worked for anyone? I have an electric pump this time round. Should I start expressing one bottle of milk now (if only for the freezer)so that my boobs get used to the demand I am going to make on them in a few weeks.

At what age is it best to introduce a bottle?

How old is the baby?
I started at about 3 weeks (had to for many reasons) with no 2 and we went on for 11 months.

She's two weeks today.

I'd think about it in the next week or so, beatie as long as b/feeding well established and you're feeling up to it.

Hi Beatie, I was the same as you with dd1. Took a bottle of EBM at 4 weeks, then I got slack with the expressing and didn't do it for a while and she refused. With dd2 she had a bottle of EBM at 2 weeks and I gave her 1 every couple of days until she was 9 weeks. We then went on holiday for a fortnight and I didn't take my pump. She is now refusing a bottle!! Aargh. I wish I had kept it up. I would start with a bottle of EBM at about 2-4 weeks, but then don't stop. Good luck.

No - I won't stop this time

Last time I was also trying to build up a freezer stash for returning to work when she was 5 months old. I'm not working now so I don't need to do this and I can express and use the milk the same day.

I wish I hadn't. I keep cursing myself!

Breastfeeding counsellors would advise not introducing a bottle before four weeks as its more likely to cause nipple confusion/preference before this time, but usually babies will take the bottle fine if its introduced anytime before 8 weeks or so.

Only do it when you have the energy and can be ar*ed. I personally do not believe it is necessary to introduce a bottle from a young age to have success. When I returned to work with mine I just introduced a bottle the week before I started. That was at about 13 weeks.