How old was your breastfed baby when you first gave them a bottle of either ebm or formula?

[Holymoly321]

And how long did it take them to take it without screaming the house down?

I think she was about 8 or 9 weeks old, and it was a real battle for the first few times. I made sure I was nowhere to be seen and DH kept one of my tops over his shoulder (for the smell), but I'm not sure if this helped. It probably took about 30 - 40 minutes for her to take the bottle the first 2 or 3 times, but it got easier and easier. For a couple of months, she had a bottle of ebm most evenings, so she just got used to it. Now, at 8 months, she just has one when I need her to (my sister's wedding for instance), and she is absolutely fine.

We felt like the cruellest parents in the world when she was screaming, but I'm so glad we did it. There was no way I could have fed her wearing my bridesmaid's dress!

DD was very little - about 10 days I think. One every now and then from that age and I never had a problem with giving her EBM if needed. No nipple confusion either - she still BFs at 17m.

How old is your LO? and whar bottle and teat are you using?

Dd had a tiny bit of EBM in a bottle at 3 weeks, but then never had either that or formula again, as she consistently refused it.

She will drink cows milk from a cup now, as well as bf (she's 2).

DS is 15 weeks and we've tried closer to nature and avent bottle (but using mam teats with the avent bottle). So far we've tried once a day and he's taken about an ounce before I've given in and bf him. Yummymam I totally admire your courage - 40 mins is hardcore but did the trick! I don't think DH would be able to take DS crying for 10 mins without calling for me to come and bf! How many ounces of ebm were you giving?

DH was great about the crying. He kept sending me away when I was tempted (in tears) to give in. I think we gave about 4 ounces when starting off. Once she got going, she would be fine - it was just getting her to start. We found the avent bottles and teats worked best. Not sure why she rejected the teats which are supposed to suit breastfed babies.

As your DS is over 3 months, have you though about using a doidy cup instead? It's an unlidded slanted cup. DD has one for her water now and I'm a big fan of them

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ds got his first bottle of ebm at 3 wks, wolfed it happily and went straight back to sleep!! I was actually quite insulted, as he seemed to prefer it- quicker and easier! He had another bottle of ebm again and loved it again at about 8wks. Don't think we'll have any problems with him taking bottles, but I'm worried we have the opposite problem, as he gets frustrated with the boob (now 15wks). I fed the girls for about 8 mths, and was hoping to do the same with him. I am persevering, but have sneaky horrid suspicion he would prefer a bottle

DD1 - EBM from 3 months in a free-pouring spouted cup. She hated bottles and b/f was fine so I didn't persevere really. Formula at 6 months which resulted in anaphalytic shock and an ambulance ride.

DS1 - EBM from 2/3 weeks, fine with a bottle after brief initial disgust! Had EBM maybe once a day, occasionally more, but mostly b/f.

DD2 - As DS1

DD has had bottles since about a few weeks old. shes 6 months now, and we are still happily bottle feeding and breastfeeding.She REALLY prefers boob, but i think sometimes she just wants it for comfort. she'll go to sleep much better with boob.
I used all sorts of bottles, but she prefers the MAM ones best of all. they didnt tend to give her wind either

DS2 was just over a week when I gave ebm, I wasn't going to but he had breast preference and my midwife told me to express to help the side that he wasn't so keen on as I felt full a lot.. I said I didn't think I could do that as it would be a waste as I could not give it to him (thinking a bottle would lead to nipple/teat confusion) but she told me latest research has shown this is not the case.. there is no such thing from what she believed (on reflection think she meant after bf had been established perhaps??) anyway I decided to trust her and ds2 took to it with no probs and neither did he have probs coming back to the breast either.
I used the avent bottles.

I introduced 1 night formula feed from 5weeks, no problems at all. Used tommee tipee closer to nature teats/bottles. Also gave him ebm during the day, quite frankly he eats anything and everything!