When can we introduce bottles?

Question

I want my husband to be able to feed baby as soon as possible with a bottle. But I’ve heard it’s not good to introduce a bottle too soon when breastfeeding. Anyone have any experience with this?

Answer

I’ve been told conflicting amounts of time to wait, but most often I hear to wait 6-8 weeks before starting bottle feeding.  It’s supposed to help avoid nipple confusion and keep your supply where it needs to be.

Answer

You definitely want to establish your breath milk first.

Answer

I waited 6 weeks of going as “natural” as possible. No bottles, no pumping, no caffeine ( for me), etc. I did this to try and establish my supply. I really didn’t want an over or under supply.  It worked. I never had supply issues, engorgement, clogged ducts or anything like that. HOWEVER it was exhausting. I was recovering from a really bad c section, crying all the time from exhaustion and pain. I don’t know if I would repeat my methods for another child. I might just plan on baby having one bottle a day. A lot of mamas would argue I did everything “perfectly” but I think I made it unduly stressful for myself.

Answer

I would wait. It can cause nipple confusion, it can also effect your supply especially if you do it in the first few weeks. Pumping isn’t as effective as nursing and establishing a supply is important. Cluster feeding is important. My doctor advised to wait as long as possible. Also, bottle feeding incorrectly can cause digestive issues, so if you do end up doing it make sure you extensively research pace feeding and how much breastmilk is appropriate for what age.

Answer

We introduced a bottle a day at 3 weeks. Usually when hes in a mood to cluster feed. I'll feed him, then when hes hungry again less than an hour later hubby will give him 3oz. Then I'll feed him again 1.5 hours later. He took to it really well. This also allows me to spend a few minutes with our 4 year old daughter (who is attached to mommy's hip). He also took to a pacifier really well with no confusion. We use the dr browns pacifiers and the lansinoh momma bottles. They allow him to still flange his lips out like he does while nursing so his latch isnt affected .

Answer

I introduced my daughter at 4 weeks ... at first it was just a half oz a day then worked my way up I nursed until she was 14 months old with no problems she nursed more than bottle fed though

Answer

I honestly cannot remember exactly when we started, but it was fairly soon and my son had no issues switching between breast and bottle. Evey baby is different,  though.

Answer

I gave my son a bottle at 3 1/2 weeks old. We went to dinner for my fiance's birthday and drank so I had pumped milk ready for him. He's 7 weeks now and has no problem going between me and a bottle

Answer

I didn’t wait. When we got home SO was feeding him with a bottle but it was rare and it’s still rare for him to use it now but he’ll take it

Answer

My LC recommended waiting a month but we had to introduce bottles a little bit when she was a week old on and off because she had a tongue tie and lost her latch when she had it clipped at 10 days old so it was just a whole thing. That being said I don’t think it messes up her latch for breastfeeding. Now she takes the breast all the time except for her before bed feed when dad gives a bottle. When I go back to work I’ll breastfeed her in the morning and before bed and she will have bottles the rest of the time.

When can we introduce bottles?

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