within the first month. Books and some people say you should wait until the 2nd month to introduce the bottle but I want the daddy to participate in the feedings right away too so he can share in the sleepless nights too.
2007-02-22 05:47:25 · 18 answers · asked by dinkle_fritz81 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
I just went to a class with a lactation consultant who said the best time to start pumping/giving bottles (if you will also be breastfeeding) is between 4-6 weeks. She said the reasoning was by that time you and the baby usually have the breastfeeding thing down pat and your milk supply is firmly established. She said that waiting too long to introduce the bottle can cause some problems b/c the baby may not take it. Too long meaning at 5 months all the sudden you give the baby a bottle and s/he doesn't want it.
You, of course, have to do what's right for your family. However, if you are planning on breastfeeding you may want to take a class. The hospital you are going to deliver at may have one, or, if money is an issue - Babies r us usually has a free class every month. Good luck!
2007-02-22 19:04:45 · answer #1 · answered by Bridget V 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've breastfed 2 children (one for 11 months the other 15 months) and I have one on the way.
This is what I did. I pumped just a couple ounces in a bottle for dad "to be able to participate" but then I would finish the feeding with my breast. This was pretty much just a couple times prior to my return to work and the introduction of the bottle for childcare purposes.
Because I return to work at 6 weeks... my children had to go on bottle (with breastmilk) So I began to introduce that at the 4-5 week mark so it wouldnt be such a shock. Both my children became used to the routine of bottle during the day and breast at night with very little problems. The only reason I stopped at 11 months with my one son was because he was more intersted in a sippy cup than a bottle. I didnt feel the "cup" was as safe and sanitary as the bottle... so I dropped it all together.
As far as the sleepless nights... I do remember one night that I was just SOOOO tired he brought the baby too me and helped him latch on while i just kinda rested... there are MANY ways to share in those kinda nights.
2007-02-22 14:09:25 · answer #2 · answered by Angelia 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to wait until the baby has mastered latching on and nursing until you introduce a bottle. Thats usually around 4 weeks. Yes, it does take them that long.
Mine took about 3 1/2 weeks. He just isnt good with a bottle, and ends up with too much air. Some babies just dont do well with bottles.
Trust me, in that first month you wouldnt be able to sleep through dad feeding the baby. You think you would, but really, youre too busy listening for the baby, wondering if he's okay.. and all that jazz. Besides, after that first night of hell at home, you get used to the routine. Its really not that bad.
2007-02-22 13:52:53 · answer #3 · answered by amosunknown 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
with my son, i bottlefed formula during the day, and breastfed at night. this way, i didn't even have to get up...just let baby latch on and go back to sleep...that is until i went to spend the night with my dad, and ended up being gone a day longer than planned...i had only taken enough formula to be gone one night, so instead of buy another can of formula, i just breastfed the rest of the weekend....after that, i could not get my son to take a bottle..he just didn't want the formula anymore
with this one, i am 17 weeks, i plan to again do both, breast and bottle feed...i will try to express and feed breast milk from the bottle so that daddy can feed also...i have looked into a couple of different bottle brands, and there are a few that have nipples that mimick the breast, and cause very little if any confusion...some of these are avent and second nature...check those out....hope this helps
2007-02-22 14:02:31 · answer #4 · answered by dolphingyrl 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I plan on doing both right away. After the 2nd or 3rd week, depending on how baby is doing. I want my husband to be a part of the feeding and I also need baby to get used to a bottle as I will be going back to work and expressing milk to a bottle after 3 months.
2007-02-22 17:19:35 · answer #5 · answered by barbiefreak518 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Expressing your milk for dad to join in feeding is a great idea, but it can be a while before your baby can get the hang of the different sucking techniques required for both the bottle and the breast.
Instead of bottle feeding, let baby sip it from the bottle or off a spoon- that way your little one won't get confused.
If you just want him to participate in the sleepless nights, wake him up everytime you are awake...that's what I did to my man.
2007-02-22 14:11:00 · answer #6 · answered by ♥Pamela♥ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Trust me on this, when it is the middle of the night and your baby is crying you will be better off just breastfeeding, rather than going to the kitchen and heating up the bottle. Particularly if you cosleep, or even have your baby in a basinette. There is NO way you will sleep through your baby crying, mine is almost a year and I still can't even if I know he is in the livingroom playing with dady
Dad can help with lots of things, but specifically with sleep. He can either stay up later with the baby or get up early with the baby. My husband would keep the baby and nap with the baby for four hours each night, this was as long as my baby would go without food. Then he would bring baby to bed and we would all go to sleep and I would nurse and feed throughout the night. Now he gets up with the baby and plays for a an hour or so in the morning then I get up.
Also many moms will tell you dads say they will help with the night feedings and they don't, because crying doesn't wake them up.
2007-02-22 14:00:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My friend had 2 girls. With the first, she introduced the bottle quite early because she didn't make enough milk and had to supplement with formula. Her daughter had no problems switching back and forth. Her second daughter is now 3 months old and she's been able to stay at home with her the whole time. She is now complaining that she has waited too long to introduce her to the bottle. I think babies are smarter than people give them credit for. They'll figure out the difference between mom's nipple and a bottle's nipple. Good luck to you!
2007-02-22 13:57:59 · answer #8 · answered by Karen S 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Personally, I think the sooner the better, so the baby doesn't reject the bottle after getting accustomed to the breast - unless you will ALWAYS be with the baby 24-7.
My daughter-in-law started when the baby was about 3 weeks old, she just uses a pump. She works and goes to college, so she had to do it this way, and there have been no problems. you can get the nipples that are shaped more like the breast if you feel better about it.
2007-02-22 13:54:36 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Those same books should also tell you that daddies don't "participate" for those first couple of months.
Don't forget what HE does.
My wife almost started on the "you don't know how hard it is" kick until she read one of those mags. There was a story about that.
Sure, she may be taking care of baby but I was working 12 hour days and 8 hours on Saturdays just to make up for the lost income from her maternity leave.
2007-02-22 13:54:10 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋