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Name: kgivot

[ Original Post ]

My son is 2 weeks old and I have been breastfeeding him with no problems. I have heard so many different things as to when to start to introduce a bottle. I was going to start practicing to pump this week and I was going to try the bottle when he's 3 weeks old I heard this was the best time. But now I'm hearing 6 weeks is a better time due to nipple confusion. Well now I am confused!!!!! ↓

Name: missmara | Date: Apr 27th, 2007 6:01 PM

If you're not using a bottle regularly, there shouldn't be any problem with nipple confusion. My daughter went between the bottle and breast with no problems, but I have a friend that waited a long time to give her daughter a bottle of expressed milk and she wouldn't take it. What is your reason for introducing the bottle? ↑

Name: kgivot | Date: Apr 27th, 2007 6:29 PM

So I can have some freedom with feedings. I would like my husband to be able to feed him if I am not available for that particular feeding or even Grandma for that matter. ↑

Name: mamal | Date: Apr 27th, 2007 7:29 PM

Here is a link to some info on bottle feeding a breastfed baby. It does not have a recomendation for age tho.
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/p
umping/bottle-feeding.html

This
link seems to have better info.
http://www.breastfeedingbasics.co
m/html/introducing_bottles.shtml

Don'
t
forget that pumping can add extra time to your day so maybe since you will be doing this for Dad he could help by cleaning the pump, sterilizing the bottles, etc.

Good Luck with everything and I am glad your breastfeeding is going well! Keep up the good work mama! ↑

Name: sapslucymom | Date: Apr 27th, 2007 9:24 PM

La Leche League recommends not start any artificial substance until 6 weeks. Also since you are just starting and your milk isn't totally in yet I would wait. Another thing is that even when you pump it will not stimulate like baby will do so try and not to that very often unless baby has just nursed.
LLL Leader ↑

Name: missmara | Date: Apr 28th, 2007 12:56 AM

You could go ahead and start pumping now and just freeze the milk, then when baby is 6 weeks or older, or whatever you feel comfortable with, you'll have a supply save up. I think it's really important for moms to have some time away from baby to go get a pedicure or have a date with hubby, and that's hard when you nurse! So by all means let grandma or hubby help with feedings, plus it's a wonderful bonding experience. As long as you're not planning on using the bottle everyday I don't think you will have a problem - although my daughter used a bottle everyday and never refused the breast...You'll just have to try it and see! ↑

Name: Marti | Date: May 23rd, 2007 9:54 PM

My pediatrician said four weeksk, which was yesterday. We introduced his first bottle before bedtime and he did awesome. He's on the boob today with no problem. My husband will give him his evening feed so I can get a few hours of sleep before baby needs the boob throughout the night. ↑

Name: LindsayK | Date: May 31st, 2007 2:54 AM

My daughter was 4 weeks when I first gave her a pumped bottle. She never had any trouble switching back and forth, however she's only had on average 2 or 3 bottles a month. ↑

Name: zoey9810 | Date: Jun 8th, 2007 5:42 AM

im breast feeding my baby, and when he was 5 days old i pumped and gave him a bottle while we had guests over, so i wouldn't have to go to our room to hide, i still pump and feed him mostly by breast, but i always pump a bottle before we go out. and he has had no problems with nipple confusion at all. ↑