If a breastfeeding mum wants to give a bottle.....

[Beccarollover]

....is it best to use formula or express at 11 days old.

I know your not supposed to express this early but my friend is at the end of her tether after a run of very bad nights and wants just a little break this afternoon.

Should she give a one off bottle of formula or attempt to express?

Baby is 11 days old and fully breastfed so far

I tried to express at this stage but had no joy. Early mornings are best apparently as that's when you have most milk. A one off bottle of formula wouldnt give her much of a break though would it?

I'm expressing now (started when babe was 7 days old) and finding it far more successful now than with ds1 where I didn't start expressing until after supply was established (after 6 weeks). Get most out early morning (about 3oz at 7am), another half oz at around 10ish and 3 oz at 9.30pm. I freeze half and dh gives half to ds2 as the 10pm feed.

Works well for us. Try and see?