What does "breastfeeding established" mean?

[FuriousDuckling]

Dd is approaching 4 weeks, and I'm starting to consider dummies and expressing for bottle feeds. The advice always says to wait until bf is established, but what does that actually mean??

She has gained weight steadily - by day 5 she had overtaken birth weight - feeds every 2-3 hours (though not exactly the same time each day), and has a good latch (as confirmed by HV).

My supply was up and down for the first couple of weeks but seems to have settled - my boobs are full just before each feed and feel empty after.

So... is there anything else I need to wait for? A more regular feeding schedule?

TIA

If all continues as it currently is for a few days then I personally would think about adding annex pressing session and seeing how that impacts on your supply. If you determine you can express easily then trying giving a bottle.

What are your reasons for wanting to give a dummy? That for me would dictate when I introduced it.

Thanks nom - that makes sense. Re dummies, I would't definitely use them, it's just they were a godsend for dd1, and dd2 seems to have the same crazy sucking reflex, so I might give them a go. With dd1 I introduced them later though, I think. In what way would the the reason affect when you'd introduce them?

Well if you were giving it before sleep as a SIDS preventative then I'd go for now, as long you aren't feeding to sleep or if you needed to soothe DD in the car and would feed as soon as you stopped. If it's to 'hold off' feeds then I'd wait a bit. Remember that for at least the first 6 weeks sucking has a role to play in boosting your supply and even sucking on a seemingly empty breast is sending signals to make more milk.

Thanks nom - I see. Definitely not to hold off feeds. More to settle at night after feeds, when she fusses in her moses basket but won't stay awake on the boob for more than a few seconds if put back on. SIDS prevention does come into it too for me, but I usually don't mention that as it can be a bit contentious. Thanks again!