FullTime breast feeding trying to introduce a bottle

[Louatkin]

Any mamas out there full time breast feeding now or have done that could give me some advice?

My LO was unwell for the first 2-3 weeks of her life due to formula milk. I had very sore nipples so tried to introduce some to help my recovery. Anyhow after extreme colic and reflux, lots of tears and screaming and no sleep for days on end I eventually got a GP apt, some baby gaviscon and was recommended to lay off formula as clearly wasn’t agreeing with her sensitive digestive system.

So from then on I have full time breast fed, I am enjoying it despite the lack of routine mamas seem to get from formula fed, my LO is worth the commitment to have her a much happier baby BUT I’ve been trying to pump once a day and bottle feed so that she gets used to a bottle….

…8 weeks on (she has just turned 12 weeks) She is still not 100% happy with a daily bottle. Sometimes she better than others.
My partner was giving her it on a night time after bath before bed but she was getting upset and a lot of wind (even though I have MAM anti colic similar to breast bottle) so I was advised by a friend to do a bottle earlier in day as she probably wants comfort for bed time, my partner is busy so I do this, I have found she will take a little bit but then wants breast.
I know she can probably smell me but I am the only other option in general as I was so burnt out from over working I’m trying to enjoy my maternity leave and only see people 3-4 times a week or so which is sufficient for me! I had a really busy month before Xmas seeing people everyday and was way too much, I certainly wouldn’t want family or friends with us every day I need 2-3 days at home as even just having baby to constantly tend to is hard without all the rushing about (sorry that’s just me!).. my partner works from home and we have an anxious dog too so can’t have house busy all time anyways but that’s a different story !
Even when my partner has tried when I’ve been out of the house he has had issues on and off as well though.
Anyhow I sit her up away from me to try and feed and ‘pace feed’ which seems to help a little after reading about this but was just wondering if anyone has any tips?
I also would like some tips on teats please? Number 1 now seems to cause so much wind from sucking hard cries and number 2 she chokes a bit! I am trying to slow feed her in upright position to prevent this. They could really do with a number 1.5!!!

I’m seriously thinking of sacking bottles off it’s so annoying even pumping once a day is annoying and she’s happier on the breast but also worried at 6-8 months when I return to work it will just delay an issue?
has anyone had experience with this also?
friend said by then to use sippy cup?

I would love to hear of other’s experiences please!!!

DD is 12 months and fully breastfed. She was and still is a bottle and dummy refuser.

For me it was too annoying to keep trying with pumping and bottles so I just stopped. It's hard though because then you don't get a break but it is what it is for me.

You can keep trying. Most people find they take bottles more easily when mum is not around. At 6 months you can introduce a straw cup/open cup.

I think it's hard if you're planning going back to work at 6 months, but I think it's a case of keep trying with bottles now, or deal with the problem closer to the time you're returning to work.

Indeed it is annoying isn’t it, when it’s so easy to pop your baby to your chest it takes away all of the hassle of warming up a bottle etc too.

A couple of people I know suggested that trying her with formula again will irradiate the need to pump! … but I don’t want to after how unwell
she was from it when tried it, she was like a totally different baby and happy again once she was back on breast milk full time. Everything has its pros and cons I know formula
fed tend so have more of a routine also but I’m hoping as time progresses that she will
develop more towards one and go longer between feeds hopefully, did you find this?

I appreciate you taking the time to respond as many friends combination fed or just did the formula. At end of day I want what’s best for baby and I am managing fine. I do find doing other things like getting out and about hard but like preciously said I won’t want to be out everyday anyways!! I have found people will
give the occasional comment like ‘it’s unhealthy for you and baby to spend all time together!’ … I think by this meaning she may become too attached or my mental health may need a break, but I’m doing just fine and actually feel better than when I worked even though I’ve been very sleep deprived and recovering from c section!
They’re only young once and I think one of my sisters babies was clingy for a while but she soon grew out of it as she was older .

As for work I run my own business so technically do not have to rush back but think I’ll need to start around 7/8 months latest just for income really.

DD definitely went longer between feeds and had some sort of routine by like 6ish months I think. Although some babies always like to feed little and often and others go longer between feeds.

As for going out, in the early days it's hard because they feed so often, but it gets easier. I also was more confident in breastfeeding out of the house and got a good breastfeeding cover from amazon (Breastfeeding Cover Up with Adjustable Strap in Grey Damask - Cotton - Boned Nursing Cover - Breathable & Lightweight - Stylish & Discreet incl Storage Bag & Towel Corners https://amzn.eu/d/guhF9XG ).

In regards to what others say...Whatever you do someone will always have something to say about it! I'm a big believer in being confident in yourself and your decisions. If its working for you right now you don't need to change it. If you need to change it in the future then you can.

I will say that DD is still very attached to me but that's fine. It can be hard sometimes but mostly I don't mind it and she's naturally getting more confident with other people without me doing anything which is lovely to see. I also don't think that's just because she BF, it's also probably just a personality thing.