How long should I wait to give my breast fed baby a bottle with pumped breast milk? He is 2 weeks old now.?

Question

I'm not trying to wean him, I just want to have the option of giving him a bottle in case I need to be away for more than 3 hours.

Answer 1

You won't need him to take a bottle on a regular basis, like returning to work?
The goal here is just occasional bottles?
I would wait until 4-6 weeks to introduce the bottle. This lets you get breastfeeding pretty well established and gets you past some major growth spurts first.

Answer 2

You can start feeding babies a bottle anytime. Bottle fed babies do it from day one. The feeling of a natural nipple and rubber nipple are different to a baby not to mention the length and texture of the rubber nipple. Also, a baby has to really work at getting the milk when nursing so if you give the baby a bottle , the baby will gulp down the milk and might find the rubber nipple difficult in the beginning. They sell nipples with fewer holes to make it more like nursing. Babies learn quick. You can go back and forth between both forms if you need too. Whatever you do, don't let guilt enter into the picture. Nursing is nature's way to allow the two of you to bond, enjoy that time with baby because it goes by so fast. It is perfectly fine to bottle feed and nurse if situation arises, you have to go to doctors, to the store, even out to dinner with your husband etc. When a baby is hungry, he/she will figure it out nursing or bottle feeding, they will be interested in getting what they want from either form. Babies are smart as we all know, give them credit for knowing how to get milk from a bottle or a breast. Congratulations!!

Answer 3

I started within the first couple of weeks replacing one feed with a bottle breast milk. My first child took to the bottle. But my second child would not take the bottle at all and I couldn't leave her for more than three hours with anyone until she was 10 months old. No matter how hard I tried or how long I waited until she was really hungry she wouldn't take the bottle, and everybody else tried as they thought she could smell me but that didn't work either.

Answer 4

According to my breastfeeding book (LLL sponsored) the 'ideal' time is 5 weeks, as your supply should be well established and your baby is still open to new things. Perhaps a little earlier if you dont want to wait that long, but before that and you run the risk of causing nipple confusion (your baby might prefer one or the other: and because the bottle is so much easier, your baby could reject the breast if introduced too early). If you wait longer than 5 wks, your baby might reject the bottle altogether, so it's a good idea to get him used to it before the ideal time passes to save a lot of heartache later. My girl had no qualms at all with a bottle, she loves to be nursed but she loves to get a bottle too! It all depends on the baby and how 'particular' they are.

All the nursing books/info out there say no pacifiers, and no bottles, before the first mth is over. Dont listen to those who say give a bottle now - it's too early.

Answer 5

My baby was going to have to go to daycare and drink pumped milk. So, my lactation consultant said don't wait more than 4 weeks to introduce the bottle and don't do it any earlier than 2 1/2 weeks to ensure that nursing was established. We waited about 3 1/2 weeks and since I wanted to only be associated with breastfeeding I let my husband do the bottles. It worked well for us.

Another important thing to remember is to only use the slow-flow nipples for newborns. The breast is much slower than a bottle and you don't want the baby to start preferring the instant gratification of the bottle. We used 1 hole nipples at daycare until she went off the bottle at 1. Avent bottles worked well for my breastfed baby.

Answer 6

Give it to him now. The earlier the better. He'll be used to both and it will give you a break. Your husband or anyone else can take over some feedings with milk you've pumped and you can catch a nap or a shower or "yikes" even go SHOPPING alone! You'll start to appreciate the freedom once he takes the bottle. So offer it starting with one bottle of it a day to replace one breast feeding.

Good Luck. Kudos on breastfeeding!

Answer 7

I just went to the doctor with my friend who is breast feeding and they encouraged her to wait a month cause they said that it confuses the baby. The breast goes in at an angle where the nipple touches the roof of baby's mouth and the breast conforms to baby's mouth. The nipple of a bottle goes straight back towards the throat and baby's mouth must conform to the bottle which gives a completely different sensation. The doctor explained that difference at this early of an age could cause baby to completely reject one or the other. Good luck.

Answer 8

i used my breast pump for when i was away too and i started probably around the time you are right now and he did fine..People warned me all the time not to confuse the baby and either give him milk from the breast itself or bottle feed him. But i know every baby is different so i tried anyway and he was fine doing both. When i was away i pumped becuase really who wants to wipe out the boob when your in a nice resturant lol and when i was at home i just attached him to me and relaxed! so you do whatever you want to do and your baby will follow you! after all hes yours!!!

Answer 9

I knew that soon I would have to go to work, go on job interviews, etc. I wasn't in a situation whereas I had help regarding my bills so I had to head back to work. Anyhow, I started feeding my son about a once or so on the bottle once every three days then once a day, or a little at a time so he could get use to it. I also was getting use to what type of bottle nipples he likes (he is hooked on Avent) Every child is different, it really depends on what you think is best for baby.

Answer 10

It depends upon you and your baby, If you choose to you can start now but keep in mind that using soft nipple will cause your baby to get lazy and he will not want to suckle hard enough to express milk from your breast so choose a bottle that is closes to breast feeding.