Worried about going from breast to bottle.

[ASomers]

I have a 6 month old who is EBF. I've never expressed or used bottles as there hasn't been a need. However, I'm due to have an MRI scan around June time (appointment not confirmed yet). I have to take a contrast for this so I'll have to express enough milk for 24 hours. My baby won't take a dummy so I'm really worried she won't take a bottle. Obviously I'll have to try expressing and bottle feeding in advance of the appointment but I'm still worried. She also feeds to sleep so this is another concern (I am aware this is meant to be a 'bad habit'). I also just feel very sad about the prospect of bottle feeding...I know it's silly but it makes me upset to think that I won't be feeding her.

Any tips from anyone who has experienced something similar?

I totally understand how you feel OP - I had to have an operation a few weeks ago and my breastfed baby needed bottle fed while I was away. I was really upset about the prospect but it was actually fine.

I used minbie bottles - the teat is supposed to be closest to the shape of a breast so they’re useful for breastfed babies. My baby took to them really well, and fed fine from the bottle. He doesn’t take a dummy either but for some reason was fine with the bottle.

A word of advice - I ended up with agonising mastitis from not pumping enough due to the anaesthetic etc so do try your best to keep up with the pumping so you don’t get a blockage. It is a pain in hospital where it’s not very private etc but worth it if you can!

Also don’t worry about feeding to sleep - it’s absolutely not a bad habit. The hormones in your milk, as well as the warmth and closeness of feeding, are designed to help your baby drift gently into a relaxed sleep. It’s designed by nature to work that way! You aren’t creating bad habits, and as long as you’re happy with it and it works for you, it’s completely fine to continue.

@carolina24 thank you so much! This has made me feel so much better. Also nice to have this perspective on feeding to sleep ❤️

Check with Wendy from breastfeeding network as you may be able to feed still it friends on the specific drug

Found this

Could you go straight to cup/sippy cup? This is what I did and avoided bottles all together.