Thanks for everyone that gave such great answers about only giving a baby pumped milk. You've convinced me that it's not a good idea. SO. How much trouble did you run into by doing some of your feedings directly from the breast, and some from expressed milk? Did the baby have a hard time adjusting from breast to bottle so frequently? Based on the agreement my husband and I have worked out, the baby would be fed from expressed milk every other day. I know that my doctor could answer a lot of these questions, but I'm looking for real-life opinions! Thanks!
2007-04-02 08:27:17 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
I won't be feeding from the breast exclusively because my husband and I will be switching "night duty", plus I plan on going back to work after the baby is 11 weeks.
2007-04-02 08:34:41 · update #1
You really need to wait and see how things go.
You will probably find that nursing is so much easier, that you won't want to pump unless you absolutely have to.
You need to nurse for at least the first 5-6 weeks, reguardless, to establish your supply and to avoid nipple confusion... that is not a guarentee that the baby won't get nipple confusion, but it helps.
After that, you will probably want to pump durring the day and then nurse at night ... you body gets used to a daily schedule, and going back and forth could mess with things... also the baby gets used to a daily routine. Its good for him/her to know what to expect. Its really best to have a daily routine and incorperate the pumping into that. Know what i mean?
Also, nursing is about alot more than just milk. Its a comfort thing for babies. Many will nurse when theyre in pain, or not feeling well and that doesn't always fit into your "schedule". Also, in the first 6 weeks they go through several growth spurts where they will nurse CONSTANTLY. It will be really hard to keep up with that by pumping... the baby is the best at upping your supply. Why spend time with a pump, when you could be spending time with your babe?
As for nightime parenting... its really best and most convenient for you to do it. You may be able to incorperate one or two bottles every night... but going every other night could be very confusing for your little one. This goes back to the 'nursing is not just about milk' thing... plus, to keep your supply up... you would need to wake durring her feeding times and pump anyway...
The best situation for nightime nursing is for baby to sleep with you. You will all get the most sleep possible, and its really good for the baby... it regulates thier breathing and reduces the SIDS risk signifigantly. You should both be non-smokers and not on any meds or alcohal and not obese...
If youre not comfortable with co-sleeping (i didnt think i was when i was preg either... after 3 nights of no sleep and falling asleep sitting up with my babe in my arms, i desided it was safer) you can have hubby do the nightime diaper changes, or have him bring you the babe to nurse, and then put back to bed.
There are plenty of ways to have daddy help... but i would really suggest you get a daily routine where you share the work, and not and every other day type of thing...
Just have your baby, work on being successful at nursing (and youre doing a great thing by asking other moms for advice... the majority of doctors know very little about breastfeeding, i suggest you find a good lactation consultant now.. and a good support group... either online, or in real life via the LLL) and then work out the bottle details when the time comes.
Best of luck, here are some links that may be of interest:
2007-04-02 09:45:30 · answer #1 · answered by Mommy to David 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would plan on nursing straight for the first two - three weeks...yes, you will be awake more...but sleep during the day...get hubby to do EVERYTHING else...cook, clean, laundry all that stuff...so you can nap...once breastfeeding is fully 'established' (usually 2 - 4weeks) and baby knows what she is doing...you can introduce a bottle....and yes, you MIGHT have a baby who gets one bottle in her mouth and never wants the breast again...OR you may get a baby who can 'switch hit' very well...no can tell you that ahead of time, and theres not much you can do about babys' free will. Really, breastfeeding is sometimes tough to get used to but it is something that you will soon really look forward to. Get a pump that you can take to work, practice with it...after baby is 2 - 4 weeks old or so, you can store the expressed milk in the freezer....get the hang of using the pump, washing and sterilizing the parts, storing the milk....and then use it when you are away from the baby (at work) Hubby can bath baby, change baby, hold baby...he is not going to feel left out! theres plenty of work to go around!
2007-04-02 15:57:31 · answer #2 · answered by motherhendoulas 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My advice to you is to allow others to feed your baby from the bottle, and you feed from the breast. Early on, this will prevent your baby from being confused about feedings. Young babies can have a difficult time learning different nipple sizes, and this can help with that confusion. If you are planning to work and have your baby bottle-fed breastmilk, you will need a good pumping plan, so that your milk supply stays.
At your hospital, there hopefully is a women's center with lactation consultants. They would be an even better resource than a doctor, and they are usually free the first visit or two.
Best of luck!!!
2007-04-02 15:40:35 · answer #3 · answered by sushishishi 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is all going to depend on your baby. Some tolerate going back and forth pretty well and others are pickier.
Try to find the bottles that are supposed to help with the transitioning and have nipple shapes similar to mom's nipple.
Also, be aware that your baby may not always want the bottle exactly when it's convenient. Some days it may want to be at the breast more, and especially at nighttime or when cranky.
I would not force the bottle if you come up against opposition. There's a reason babies love to feed from their mothers so much and so they shouldn't be denied or urged into bottles if the don't like it.
2007-04-02 15:31:41 · answer #4 · answered by Veritas 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First issue is the night time nursings.... you really need those to help keep up your milk supply.. It is super easy to let the baby sleep with you and just roll over and nurse him/her.
You should defiantly wait till your baby is five weeks old before you introduce the bottle. It will help minimize nipple confusion/preference.
As for doing expressed milk one day nursing the next.. I think that your milk supply will be adversely effected. You should only pump for the milk while your at work and feed baby fresh milk from the tap when your home.
Instead of making all these agreements before the baby's birth why not wait till baby gets here and see how it works out then.. Just go with the flow.
There are so many ways that a dad can be involved besides feeding time. Think about bath times and stories. All babies benefit from hearing dads soothing voice. And just think in about 6 months dad can feed all the solids he wants.
Try attending your local La Leche League meetings to meet other real life nursing moms..
www.lalecheleague.org
or in the us call 1800-laleche
2007-04-02 15:54:53 · answer #5 · answered by Carla R 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Doing the pump is fine. I'm not sure what other people have told you. But you can breastfeed and pump exclusivley with out using any formula. I had to pump for a whole month before I could get my first born to latch on. When he did latch on he went easliy from breast to bottle when we were out (I'm a little shy when it comes to breastfeeding in public) pumping was easy I recommend a hospital grade double pump as it will empty both breasts at the same time and has a durable motor to do so. Either rent or buy one (if your plan on having more kids buy one)
2007-04-02 16:21:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As I said in my answer to your original question, as long as your exclusively breastfeed for a few weeks and then introduce the bottle, you shouldn't have a problem. Your baby will probably prefer the breast, but will accept either. At least mine did.
2007-04-02 15:37:50 · answer #7 · answered by Jennifer S 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm confused. Why isn't it a good idea to give your baby pumped breastmilk?????? Breastmilk from the boob or from the bottle is FAR better than formula!! Some babies never learn to latch on, and pumping is the only way to get breastmilk to your baby. So, for whoever told you that pumping breastmilk isn't good......they didn't know what they were talking about!!!!
2007-04-02 17:46:25 · answer #8 · answered by ProudMama2Mason 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It dpends on your baby both of mine switched back and forth very easy, why are you not exclusivley feeding? just asking not judging.
2007-04-02 15:30:36 · answer #9 · answered by hotmoma_37 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
switching back and forth was no problem formy baby
2007-04-02 16:30:53 · answer #10 · answered by butternut0000 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋