Advice please with introducing bottle to EBF baby

[Sunandstar123]

Hello, FTM here and a bit confused with what to do about introducing a bottle to an EBF baby! The reason I want to do this is just so if I ever need to be away from my baby for a couple of hours I’d feel confident he’d take some of my breast milk from my husband so it wouldn’t need to be a regular occurrence. It would be nice if and when required my husband could do the odd feed to help me too.

My baby is 3 weeks old, BF is going well and baby has continuously gained a fair amount of weight since birth (1 lb and 6 oz in first two weeks) so I want to try over the next week or so. I’m getting a bit confused with how much to give or what he needs as I’m aware you can over feed when giving via bottle but then I don't know how much he is getting currently. I have a small amount in the freezer currently - 3 bags of 2oz each.

If he does take it I am wondering whether to offer daily to keep him used to it. Any advice much appreciated, thanks!

It's difficult to know at this age but between 6 weeks and 6 months they generally take 25 floz in 24 hours. So if she's feeding every 2 hours, she may only take 2 floz of EBM

Congratulations on your new DD too. She sounds lovely

This article from Kellymom might be helpful too and have you thought of not using a bottle? There are other, more suitable feeding methods for a BF young baby

I would discourage introducing supplemental feeds this early as it will interrupt your breastfeeding and may impact establishing supply. Are you needing to be away from baby imminently? If not then wait until they are older and your supply has regulated.

To add - there are loads of other things your husband can do to bond with the baby and to care for the baby. Sharing a bath, a walk in the pram, babywearing, skin to skin.

It would be nice if and when required my husband could do the odd feed to help me too.

Sorry, do agree with the PP about your DH bonding with LO using other methods. My DH used to enjoy bathing the LO when he got home or taking them out for walks so I could have a nap. Much more helpful than having to express so that he could do a feed!

Thanks everyone, really helpful.

No - nothing imminently the sole reason I wanted to try it soon was I thought it may be more difficult to introduce if I left it too long but appreciate there is pros and cons to this. I was thinking around the 4 week mark but only because BF has gone well, good weight gain etc. however replies have definitely made me reconsider this so really appreciate the advice!

You can't over feed a breast fed baby.. you feed on demand... if BF is going as great as you say.. Let your hubby bond other ways..please don't use a bottle.. if you must leave the baby at any time you can " drip feed" with a sterilised spoon rather than a teet... unless you have a relative or friend who is breastfeeding and they would be happy to wet nurse in an emergency.