Adding a bottle of formula

[PrincessWatermelon]

I'd like your thoughts please.

I EBF my first DD and tried expressing for her, but hated it. Tried manual, electric, and was rubbish at it and got v stressed. Then when I gave her a bottle (v sporadically) she refused it mostly. Consequently she really was EBF and I couldn't leave her with anyone.

DD2 is now 4 weeks and again EBF. I'm thinking of introducing a bottle early on so she accepts it as I will need to go back to work earlier this time. Based on how much I hated expressing I was thinking of doing the odd formula bottle. Maybe a couple a week?

Is this a good/bad idea? Thanks.

Bumping ... express but never manage more than a small bottle a day. Have an op coming up so need to feel 100% secure dd will be fed whatever meds or hospital time happens.

Yes, now is the perfect time to introduce her to a bottle of formula.
Give it to her after the morning feed, so you're empty!

I second that. I've been giving DS a couple of bottles a week almost since he was born. It's taken all the worry out of winding down the BFing now that I'm going back to work, and has never caused him any confusion.

Excellent, thanks. Those that have done it, did you give the formula cold? And did you give it or did you make (allow!) your DH to do it?

I gave it luke warm, what I thought BM temperature would be. With my first baby, I got my husband to do it (and my mum, and anyone else who offered!) so she wouldn't smell the milk on me. But my second baby would initially only take it from me. So I guess it's trial and error.

I should add, he lets other people feed him now, at 6 months. Only taking it from me only lasted a couple of weeks, thank god!