Can I breastfeed and bottlefeed my baby?

Question

I am 8 months pregnant and I am considering breastfeeding my baby. I will be on maternity leave from my job, but when I return to work, is it ok if my baby uses the bottle while I am working and nurse when I am home?

Answer 1

Yes. Hopefully, you will get at least 6 weeks maternity leave. During that time maintain a steady nursing schedule. Like others have said, set the nursing thing in stone before switching to a bottle. (if having trouble lactation consultants at hospitals are wonderful resources.)

Here is some other info that may help:

1. After you have your baby, you produce colostrum (first milk). Within 3-5 days your true milk will come in (man will you feel it). Your body is designed to produce supply and demand fashion. As much as your baby eats, your body will reproduce. SO, don't feed and pump everyday, or you will be FULLY loaded. I like to pump in the morning or late at night (when baby doesn't eat so much.

2. When you go to work, you don't want to go too long without pumping, or your body will slow production. Pumping at work is a good idea if possible. If not, pump before and after.

3. Let someone else feed with bottle and you only feed with breast. This will help to not confuse your baby. Eventually, it won't matter, but for the first 2-3 months it helps.

4. Use the rule of 5 with breastmilk storage. Deep freezer--5 months. Freezer--5 weeks. Fridge--5 days. Room temp--5 hours. Afterwards, throw out.

Email if you have any more ??

Best of luck!

Answer 2

I have a 6 week old baby and I have been doing both feedings since day 1. Breastfeeding is very frustrating at the beginning, I had my mnd set on breastfeeding thru all my pregnancy and I wanted to give up 3 days after i gave birth. It is a long process but most importantly you have to make sure your baby eats no matter what. I had problems with baby latching on like allmothers so what i did was pump milk and bottle feed it to the baby until we got the latch on thing working, then I started to breastfeed almost at every meal. Now I still give my baby one formula feeding in a bottle and he does just fine. It will be perfectly fine to do both. What's important is that you love and care for your baby,

Answer 3

Yes but it is optimal that your baby receive breastmilk in their bottles and you pump while you are at work.

You should also know that this will not work for all babies. Some will not take a bottle, and some will have difficulty breastfeeding after getting used to bottles. BUT there are other ways of feeding a baby: cup-feeding takes a little bit to master but then is fast and effective and there is syringe feeding.

Also depending on how old your baby is when you return to work some babies "reverse cycle". They go 8-9 hours during the day without food and make up for it at night.

Answer 4

You absolutely can do both. It isn't a bad idea to get baby used to a bottle right away, in addition to breastfeeding, as you are not able to be there 24/7/365. I found this to also give my husband and parents an opportunity to bond with my son. If you do decide to breastfeed, and you are able to pump, you can freeze breastmilk to be used later. If you aren't able to pump, your body will adjust to the laws of supply and demand, and you will be able to nurse when you are with your baby. Whichever way you go, it will be what is best for you, as you are obviously putting a great deal of thought into the decision. Be sure to pick up some of those pads for your bra - they work well. Congratulations and good luck!

Answer 5

I very much recommend breastfeeding and using a bottle to feed the baby your expressed milk. (never, never formula)

Finding the right bottle is tricky. Lots of grown-ups have advice, but ultimately it's the baby that's going to be using it. Get all sorts of bottles, 1 of each kind you think you'll like. There's so many bottles out there, and I wasn't able to find one that worked for me because I started too late. At least I have a collection started for the next kid. I think I was supposed to do it when she was a month old. Get Daddy involved so they learn to trust each other.
When your milk comes in pump like a mad woman. And drink tons of water. Pump and store. I like gerber's plastic ziploc storage bags for breast milk, they are so handy. I recommend getting a hospital grade pump. I use a Medela. Because Evenflo doesn't make a good one. Talk to a lactation consultant about what brand they recommend.

Good luck and congratulations

Answer 6

Yes you can. These days a lot of people pump the breast milk and keep in the fridge for the time they are away from the baby, especially at work. If the babys stomach can take it there is no harm in giving the formula while you are away.. But breastfeeding is the best at least for an year, that gives both of you the attachement. Believe me it is the best experience you can have especially if this is your 1st.

Answer 7

When I went back to work I expressed milk on my break and lunch (not an easy thing to do), froze it and then had my caregiver bottle feed the baby. My daughter would take a bottle from anyone but me and this worked well for 3 months. After that the expressing got to be so hard that I supplemented with formula at daycare and still breastfed at night and on weekends for over a year.
Hope this helps

Answer 8

yes you can. just make sure you breastfeed as long as you can before giving a bottle. If you give a bottle right away- babies tend to prefer it and will stop nursing- usually because of nipple confusion- but mostly because the milk comes out faster! Also start pumping as soon as you get home from the hospital to keep your milk supply up and then to start storing milk for when you start giving a bottle =) Good luck!

Answer 9

Yes, that's exactly what many working moms do! Don't feel guilty about those bottles he receives in Day Care, just keep him on the breast as long as you can, and be confident that you do have enough milk. I quit my job last year, but when I was working and nursing, I loved those "welcome home, Mama" nursing sessions. Find a breastfeeding support group--I like La Leche League, but there are others out there. Also, invest in a good pump. I loved my Ameda Purely Yours. Expensive, yes, but not as pricey as formula, and waaaaay healthier. Congratulations!

Answer 10

yes, women do this all the time. (I am assuming you plan to pump milk for your baby to have in a bottle while you are at work)

DON'T introduce the bottle until a couple weeks before your leave is up. If you introduce a bottle too early you can cause "nipple confusion" and then your baby may stop breastfeeding.