Bottles to a bf baby

[fuzzymummy]

anyone got any veiws on the best time to introduce a bottle to a breastfed baby and what type of bottle or teats to try ?

You should avoid introducing bottles in the phase of establishing bf, i.e. at least the first 6-8 weeks.

Yes , I have read something similar in books about bf but on my DD I started at six weeks and failed despite trying all the tricks I had heard of to get her to take a bottle.

I mix-fed ds from two weeks and never had any problems with him rejecting the breast. I used Avent bottles and made sure that he took the teat in the same way as he took the nipple - mouth gaping wide open, lips curled right over the teat so far that his bottom lip often touched the locking ring. I also kept to newborn teats for as long as possible so that he would have to work hard at the bottle.

I don't advocate introducing a bottle so soon - more for the milk supply than anything else - but just wanted to show that it's not impossible.

Tommie Tipee (sp?) breast/bottle ones are great. Didnt hinder BFing at all

I used Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature bottles - after trying Avent and Nuk he took these the best. I also initally got DH to give a bottle feed when he was 3 weeks old and he would happily mix feed ... they are quite expensive but the teats are really wide and encourage LO to latch on like they do on the breast. I introduced the bottle early as he latched on really well and my milk supply was abundant to say the least. I think it is a bit of trial and error until you find the bottles etc that work for you.

i used flat teats by advent i think in mothercare, my dd wouldnt take formular till she was 6 months old, i tried her on everyone 1 around, but when she did i found these the best as they were more like the nipple gets when feeding.

Thanks for all the tips . Will let you know how I get on.

playtex

Hi fuzzymummy,

I would have to recommend either syringe feeding or using the Medela softcup feeder - www.breastfeedingheaven.co.uk/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=11 Purely due to the fact that i experienced nipple confusion with my daughter and it was the worst experience in the world.

These are very easy to use and allows you to supplement without the heart-ache of spilling breastmilk or the risk of nipple confusion.

i started to express at day 6 and ds took the bottle straight away. I used the bottle that came with the medela machine ( along with the teat)