when to start pumping/ introduce bottle

Question

when is it ok to pump and introduce a bottle? i’m breastfeeding day and night but planning to have my mom come once a week or so while i’m on maternity leave to watch the baby and my toddler for a few hours so i can get out a bit to have time to myself and get some errands done etc. i’ll nurse the baby before i leave but worried he may be hungry before i return so want to have a bottle ready for him. and i would pump maximum 1 time while out. is 2 to 3 weeks too soon? my first baby had bottles from day 1 ( in nicu) and i breastfed him 2 1/2 years and he pretty easily switched between breast and bottle. just wanted to hear others experiences.

Answer

We had to start introducing a small bottle of breast milk (slow flow nipple) three days after birth to ensure she was getting enough. I was worried about discouraging breast feeding but that hasn’t happened. I only use it 1-2 times a day as a supplement and only after she has breast fed. It’s also very nice on days where I’m completely exhausted and she wants to nurse for 45 minutes. I can do most of it and then my husband gives her 20-30 mls with a bottle. Good luck!

Answer

Alot of people may tell you not to until 2 weeks old because of nipple confusion. My baby is 3 weeks Monday and she breastfeeds most of the time but I pump to give my nipple a break cuz they are sore and hurting. I pump 2 times a day and at each time I get like 2 to 3 oz but I can tell you my baby girl she took a bottle right away at the hospital cuz I'm also doing a little formula and she never has been refused by my breast or the bottle the only thing she denies is the pacifier. She just so smart she knows nothing comes out of the pacifier. You dont want to wait to much longer then 2 weeks to start a bottle because if you wait to long your baby may not want to take a bottle at all.

Answer

I think lactation consultants generally recomend waiting a month to introduce anything like bottle or paci. With bottle the issue might be that because it is easier they end up prefering that over hard work that is BF.

Answer

I’m all about introducing the bottle early on even tho multiple lactation consultants have recommended I wait until baby is one month. 
Both this baby -3 weeks old and 3 year old started using the bottle at 3 days old and breastfeed. I need support from my husband and that is one way I get a break. I pump at night before I go to sleep so my husband has milk for the baby while I’m sleeping.

Answer

We had our 2 week appointment today and our pediatrician said we could introduce a bottle next week since our LO has gained good weight and is feeding well. Im only collecting milk using the Haakaa right now - I’m not going to start pumping until closer til 6 weeks because I had some oversupply issues with my first when I started pumping closer to 4 weeks.

when to start pumping/ introduce bottle

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