When do I introduce a bottle?

Question

Hi Ladies- 
Third time mom here! I EBF my first two babies because at the time I was a stay at home mom, so I didn’t have to worry about giving bottles (and plus they’d never take them!). 
My third little girl is due soon and I work full time now, so she will have to take a bottle of course. I plan on nursing and pumping both. When do I introduce a bottle to her without causing nipple confusion? I don’t want to introduce it too late and risk her refusing to take a bottle. I have 8 weeks of maternity leave so she’ll have to have the hang of it by then.

Thank you!

Answer

The “correct” answer is to wait 4-6 weeks however I see way too many women on here follow that recommendation and then their baby refuses 10 different bottles. 
I introduced pumping and a bottle right away. My daughter is 15 months and still nursing. It’s really up to you and what you feel comfortable doing. I think the sweet spot is to introduce it around week 2 or 3 at the latest however if you want to do it by the book, then wait 4-6 weeks 😊

Answer

I had to introduce a bottle a couple weeks in... I think the recommendation is to wait until 4-6 weeks (like previous poster said) but we had to.  My little girl had no issues! She slurped down that first bottle like a champ, and I’m now back to almost EBF (we only give bottles if I have to be out without my LO) and she hasn’t had any problems. 
We’ve used Dr Brown’s, which I know some people don’t like, but we’ve had no problems!
Sidenote: we got a set of Dr Brown’s bottles that came with a pacifier. The shape of the paci matches the shape of the bottle nipples. Not sure if that contributed to our success, but thought I’d mention it! The shape matches Wubbanub paci’s too.  Good luck!

Answer

So I think it kind of depends on the kid...we tried my son at 6 weeks and he would not accept it no matter what we did. We tried my daughter at 4.5 weeks and she took it like a champ...we are trying to do 2-3 bottles a week to keep her in practice. She won’t start day care until 13-14 weeks, but hoping it will be an easier transition

Answer

You wait until she can latch perfectly and consistantly on the breast, about 4 weeks depending on the baby.

When do I introduce a bottle?

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