Breastfeeding by Bottle?

Question

My first child is soon due and I understand the benefits of breastmilk. I would like to breastfeed by pumping the milk and bottlefeeding the baby. Are there any disadvantages to this? Please don't respond about the mother-baby bonding, because faciltating the father-baby bonding is part of my reason for wanting to do it this way.

Answer 1

Baby works much more efficiently than the pump. Exclusively pumping has a higher risk of having an inadequate supply.

Here is a link to a bunch of links you may find helpful:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/bf-links-excpumping.html

Answer 2

Initially, you may want to breast feed exclusively until your milk supply is well established or at least breast feed more times than you pump in the beginning. Pumping and then bottle feeding the breast milk is a perfectly viable option. One disadvantage I can think of is that no breast pump can empty a breast as efficiently as a baby can. Exclusive pumping may decrease the amount of milk you produce. Since breast milk is produced on a supply and demand concept, if your breasts are not completely emptied your body will sense that not as much milk is needed and will not make as much. Another issue to consider is how this will affect night-time feedings. Night time nursing is a lot simpler. Whenever your baby wakes to feed in the night, you will have to pump, which, truthfully, is a more complicated and lengthy process than nursing if you count the time it takes to prep the breast pump and clean up after wards. Regardless if you pump first and then feed that pumped milk or if you warm up previously pumped milk that has been stored in the frig or freezer, someone will end up walking the floor with a screaming baby. I agree, bonding can be done regardless if parents bottle feed formula, bottle feed pumped breast milk, or if mom nurses exclusively. There are plenty of bonding moments between newborns and parents. I highly recommend taking a breast feeding class. If you can take one before the baby comes, that will help you prepare. If you aren't able to get one in before the baby's arrival, take advantage of the lactation consultant at the hospital and take the breast feeding class offered before you go home. Also, become familiar with the breast pump before the baby comes so you aren't trying to read instructions and figure out how to pump properly when you are simply exhausted and probably in some level of discomfort. Both c-section and vaginal births hurt. Throw in engorged breasts when your milk comes in and you won't feel like doing much of anything that requires a lot of thought!

Answer 3

Supposedly, for the first month, only one person should feed the baby anyway... The only problem you might have is not finding pumping your milk so easy. Some people can't produce as much when pumping, but if you buy a really good electric pump, you should be just fine. Breast feeding is mainly about the nutrition of the milk.. bonding is only a bonus.. and it is of course possible to bond when bottle feeding. Is there a particular reason you don't want to breast feed without a bottle?

Answer 4

Technically, I can't think of a single reason why it wouldn't be fine. It is true that baby is better at getting milk from your breasts than a pump, but I don't think it would be to an extent that you couldn't adequately feed them. However, if you plan to nurse at all, you should establish it well first.

Having lived through all those sleepless nights, I'll tell you first-hand you may have a hungry baby and no milk pumped, so I'd suggest a combination.

Answer 5

This is excatly what i am doing
because my son will not latch on
for anything... I pump every two to three hours, and the more i pump the next day i always seem to get more, so just make sure your pumping a lot to stimulate your breast and they will make more, because my son is starting to eat more and its catching up on me O_O, so you want to make sure your getitng enough milk when you pump that way you wont have to use formula, because once he gets that nipple from the bottle its going to be hard to get him on the breast, but im sure youve heard it all, no matter how much you tell people not to preach to you, they still will, i dont know why but they have to put their impute.

The only disadvantage to pumping i see is that, it takes time when id rather just put him on my breast, but since im off work i have all the time in the world, but if your not going to work and be home, it will probably be okay for you,im just worried if im going to have all the time to pump once i return to work. so its all up to you and your flexibility.

Youll also burn calories when you pump, it doesnt matter how it comes out your body will still burn calories no matter what, i dont know about everyone but a lot of woman lose thier pregnancy weight by breastfeeding and pumping will also give you this advantage.

Answer 6

The only disadvantage that I can think of is having to store and warm the bottles. Of course, those middle of the night feedings can still be done by you so there's no waiting. Good for you for wanting to facilitate the father-baby bond as well. It's very thoughtful of you. Congratulations, good luck and God bless :o)

Answer 7

The only disadvantage would be if you wanted to try the breast too, As it may cause nipple confusion. If you want to bottle feed with breastmilk go ahead and don't worry about it. Breast milk is much better for them but Bottle feeding them is fine too. I breast fed my first born for 9.5 weeks but I then got Mastitis and did not have the energy for it and moved her on to bottle feeding. She has only been sick once in 16 months and that was a tummy bug she got over christmas. Breast milk really does help their little immune system.

I am currently 29 weeks pregnant with my second child and intend to breast feed for as long as possible, but will not fret over putting them on a bottle as long as you nurture, love and fed you children in the best way possible then they can lack for nothing.

Congrats and all the best. It's a truly amazing experience :)

Answer 8

if you plan on doing both breastfeeding and bottlefeeding (breastmilk) it is best to wait several weeks before introducing the bottle in order to avoid nipple confusion. it may take the baby some time to learn to latch on properly, and if he is exposed to the bottle early, he may become "lazy" and not get on the breast.

good luck!

Answer 9

Nothing is wrong with that. The only issue is that the pumps arent nearly as comfy as straight breastfeeding. They hurt... at least they hurt me. And that is such a wonderful idea... thats what helped my husband too.

Babies need their daddys too!

Answer 10

my daughter wouldnt latch so i ended up breast feeding by bottle and shes a normal happy baby and she bonded with both me and her daddy so i would suggest it to any new mom cuz it worked out wounderfully for me